Wood-Fired Thin Crust Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A crispy thin crust pizza topped with spicy Italian sausage, sweet roasted red peppers, and mozzarella cheese, capturing Kansas City’s love for artisanal pizza. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 35 minutes pairs pizza dough, casing removed Italian sausage, sliced roasted red bell peppers 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: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500°F and place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet inside to heat.
  2. Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, add 8 oz Italian sausage (casing removed) and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking into small pieces until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
  3. Step 3: Mix 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes with 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.
  4. Step 4: Roll out 1 lb pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a pizza peel or parchment paper.
  5. Step 5: Brush the dough with 2 tbsp olive oil, spread the tomato sauce evenly over the surface, then sprinkle 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese.
  6. Step 6: Evenly distribute the cooked Italian sausage and 1 cup sliced roasted red bell peppers over the cheese.
  7. Step 7: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
  8. Step 8: Remove pizza from oven and scatter 6 torn fresh basil leaves on top before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Thin Crust Pizza with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers 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 Thin Crust 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 pizza dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Thin Crust 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 Wood-Fired Thin Crust 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 Wood-Fired Thin Crust 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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