Sausage And Peppers Pizza

If you have been around for a while you know that I love pizza. It is a handheld dinner with all the food groups in one tasty little package. I always have pizza dough in the freezer. When I have no idea what to make for dinner, I pull out the pizza dough and make pizza. You can never go wrong with pizza of any kind.

This recipe for sausage and pepper pizza is my take on one of my favorite sandwiches…Sausage and peppers subs. It has the wonderful flavor of my sausage and pepper mix on a zesty tomato sauce and it is topped on a fluffy pizza dough. The best of all three worlds on one delicious crust.

INGREDIENTS:

1-2 Pizza Dough Balls
Olive Oil
1 C. Canned Diced Tomatoes ( or cherry tomatoes halved)
1 Onion – thinly sliced
1 Bell Pepper – thinly sliced
2 Cloves Garlic – minced
1/2 Tsp. Thyme
1/2 Tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 Tsp. Fennel Seeds
Salt And Pepper – to taste
1 C. Pizza sauce ( your favorite brand)
1/2 Lb. Smoked Sausage – thinly sliced
2 C. Mozzarella Cheese – Grated
1/4 C. Parmesan Cheese – grated

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 450* as well as your pizza stone about 30 minutes before making your pizza. If you are not using a pizza stone then sprinkle some cornmeal on a sheet pan and start from there.
2. In a large skillet over med-low heat add the olive oil, onion, and bell peppers. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Toss to coat and cook for 3 minutes or until the onions and peppers are slightly tender.
3. Add the garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, and sausage. Toss and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes or until the sausage is golden and cooked through. Remove from the heat, place it into a bowl, and set aside.
4. On a floured surface roll out one of the two dough balls to about 10 inch round. Brush on a little bit of olive oil all over the dough making sure to get the edges.
5. Spoon on half of the pizza sauce evenly over the dough making sure to leave a 1-inch border for the crust to rise.
6. Sprinkle over half of the sausage and pepper mixture evenly over the sauce.
7. Sprinkle over half of the parmesan and half of the mozzarella over the sausage and peppers.
8. Transfer the pizza to a pizza peel and transfer to the preheated pizza stone. If you don’t have a pizza stone or pizza peel, make it directly on a sheet pan that has been dusted with cornmeal or semolina flour.
9. Bake on the pizza peel for 10 to 12 minutes rotating halfway through so it is evenly cooked on all sides. If you are baking on a sheet pan you may have to bake it for 12 to 15 minutes. The edges will be golden brown and the cheese will be melted.
10. Remove from the oven to a wire rack to cool slightly before transferring to a cutting board to cut into wedges. At this point, you can make the second pizza if desired.

• You can make your own pizza dough or use store-bought. I have a few delicious pizza dough recipes you can use if you like here on my blog. This also goes for pizza sauce. You can make your own or use your favorite store-bought brand.