Wood-Fired Pizza with Smoky Sausage and Caramelized Onions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rustic pizza featuring smoky Italian sausage and sweet caramelized onions baked on a wood-fired crust for a perfect char and crispiness. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 35 minutes pairs pizza dough, Italian sausage, casing removed, large onion, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your wood-fired oven or conventional oven to 500°F. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add 6 oz Italian sausage, breaking it apart; cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 thinly sliced large onion, cooking over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized, then stir in 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Roll out 12 oz pizza dough on a floured surface to a 12-inch circle. Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
  4. Step 4: Scatter the cooked sausage and caramelized onions evenly over the cheese. Slide the pizza into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is blistered and cheese is bubbly and golden.
  5. Step 5: Remove pizza from oven and garnish with 6 fresh basil leaves before slicing and serving warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Pizza with Smoky Sausage and Caramelized Onions 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 Pizza with Smoky Sausage and Caramelized Onions?

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 Smoky Sausage and Caramelized Onions?

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 Smoky Sausage and Caramelized Onions 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 Pizza with Smoky Sausage and Caramelized Onions?

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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