Thin-Crust Square Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A thin-crust pizza baked in a square pan topped with spicy Italian sausage, sweet roasted red peppers, and a blend of mozzarella and provolone cheeses. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 90 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 75 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tsp salt. Slowly add 3/4 cup warm water and 2 tbsp olive oil, mixing until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  2. Step 2: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 475°F. Press the dough into a greased 12x9-inch rectangular baking pan, spreading evenly to the edges.
  4. Step 4: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 8 oz Italian sausage, breaking it apart, for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
  5. Step 5: Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, sprinkle 1/2 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes.
  6. Step 6: Distribute the cooked sausage and 1/2 cup roasted red peppers evenly on the sauce.
  7. Step 7: Top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese.
  8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust edges are golden brown.
  9. Step 9: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Thin-Crust Square Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (75 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Thin-Crust Square Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Thin-Crust Square Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Thin-Crust Square Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Thin-Crust Square Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers?

Italian pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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