Wood-Fired Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Red Peppers

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

Thin-crust pizza featuring spicy Italian sausage and sweet roasted red peppers, finished with melted mozzarella and fresh basil. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 27 minutes pairs pizza dough, Italian sausage, roasted red peppers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500°F with a pizza stone inside for at least 30 minutes to mimic a wood-fired oven.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 8 oz Italian sausage, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  3. Step 3: On a floured surface, roll out 1 lb pizza dough to a 12-inch circle and transfer to a pizza peel or baking sheet.
  4. Step 4: Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
  5. Step 5: Distribute the cooked sausage and 1/2 cup sliced roasted red peppers evenly over the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, then season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the toppings.
  8. Step 8: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
  9. Step 9: Remove the pizza and scatter 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves on top before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Red 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 pizza dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Red 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 Wood-Fired Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Red 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 Wood-Fired Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Red 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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