Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Roasted Pepper Pizza
A rustic pizza featuring spicy Italian sausage and sweet roasted bell peppers baked on a crisp wood-fired crust. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 35 minutes pairs pizza dough, casing removed Italian sausage, shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 720 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pizza dough
- 6 oz, casing removed Italian sausage
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into thin strips yellow bell pepper
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, roughly torn fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500°F with a pizza stone inside for at least 45 minutes to mimic a wood-fired oven.
- Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil and cook 6 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper, cook for 5 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized; season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: On a floured surface, roll out 12 oz pizza dough to a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a pizza peel or parchment paper.
- Step 5: Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the dough, then top with the sautéed bell peppers and 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Step 6: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
- Step 7: Remove pizza from oven, scatter 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves over the top, and let rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Roasted Pepper Pizza take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Roasted Pepper Pizza?
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 pizza dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Roasted Pepper Pizza?
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 Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Roasted Pepper Pizza for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Wood-Fired Italian Sausage and Roasted Pepper Pizza?
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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Equipment for this recipe
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