Wood-Fired Italian Sausage Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Arugula

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Hand-stretched pizza topped with crumbled Italian sausage, slow-roasted garlic cloves, fresh mozzarella, and peppery arugula for a balanced rustic pie. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 40 minutes pairs store-bought or homemade pizza dough, peeled whole garlic cloves, sliced fresh mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 475°F and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat. Toss 6 peeled garlic cloves with 1 tbsp olive oil and roast on a small sheet pan for 20 minutes until soft and golden.
  2. Step 2: While garlic roasts, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook 8 oz crumbled Italian sausage for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
  3. Step 3: On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 lb pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer to a pizza peel or parchment paper.
  4. Step 4: Spread roasted garlic cloves evenly over the dough, then top with cooked sausage and 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Slide pizza onto the hot pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
  6. Step 6: Remove pizza from oven and immediately top with 2 cups fresh arugula, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, and sprinkle 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Slice and serve hot.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Italian Sausage Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Arugula take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Arugula?

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 peeled whole garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Italian Sausage Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Arugula?

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 Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Arugula 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 Wood-Fired Italian Sausage Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Arugula?

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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