Calling all pizza enthusiasts! Prepare for an extraordinary pizza night experience with our sensational Spicy Sausage Pizza, artfully crowned with sweet, smoky Roasted Red Pepper and savory Red Onion. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a culinary journey that will elevate your homemade pizza game to delicious new heights. Forget your average takeout; this recipe promises a symphony of flavors that will have everyone reaching for another slice!
The Ultimate Comfort: Embracing Homemade Pizza Perfection
Hey there, fellow food lovers! As the week winds down and the anticipation for a relaxing weekend builds, what better way to celebrate than with a homemade pizza party? Whether it’s a cozy night in, a gathering with friends, or a special treat after a long week, pizza always brings joy. And when you craft it from scratch, the experience is truly unmatched. This Spicy Sausage Pizza with Roasted Red Pepper and Onion is designed to be your go-to recipe for those moments, transforming a simple meal into a memorable occasion.
A Culinary Escape on a Winter’s Day (or Any Day!)
Remember those crisp winter days, perhaps a unexpected snowstorm, that coax you into the warmth of your kitchen? That’s exactly how this delightful pizza came back into my rotation. While snow totals weren’t as dramatic as predicted, the chilly air outside made for the perfect excuse to spend a day cooking up something truly special. There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from creating a meal that warms you from the inside out, and this pizza delivered on every front. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to slow down, savor the process, and enjoy the delicious rewards.
The inspiration for this particular pie came a few weeks prior, when I first experimented with this incredible flavor combination for my husband before he left on a trip. We’re talking fresh, homemade dough, a vibrant homemade sauce, and a carefully selected medley of toppings that hit all the right notes. It was, in a word, ah-mazing! I found myself eagerly anticipating an excuse to make it again, and the prediction of a snow day was just the nudge I needed. Stocking up on all the essential ingredients meant Tom and I were set for our very own snow day pizza party, filled with warmth, laughter, and incredible food.
The Unrivaled Joy of Making It From Scratch
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Homemade dough and sauce? Isn’t that a lot of effort?” And yes, I’ve certainly relied on ready-made pizza dough and jarred sauces in the past. But let me assure you, the difference in flavor, texture, and overall satisfaction is absolutely worth the extra effort. In reality, it takes surprisingly little time and minimal effort to prepare everything from scratch, and it’s actually a wonderfully engaging activity. Imagine the aroma of rising dough filling your kitchen, the rich scent of simmering tomatoes, and the sizzle of fresh toppings – these are the moments that truly make cooking a pleasure.
The beauty of making pizza from scratch lies in the hands-on experience and the ability to control every ingredient. While your dough patiently rises, you can effortlessly whip up your sauce and prepare your toppings. This sequential process makes the entire endeavor feel much less daunting and more like a relaxed culinary project. The result? A pizza that’s bursting with freshness and flavor, far surpassing anything you can buy.
A Symphony of Flavors: Spicy Sausage, Roasted Red Pepper, and Onion
For this particular masterpiece, I swear by the classic combination of spicy Italian sausage, sweet roasted red peppers, and thinly sliced red onion. It’s a trio that offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and a hint of spice. The richness of the sausage, the tender sweetness of the peppers, and the slightly sharp crunch of the onion create a harmonious blend that tantalizes the taste buds. While this is my personal favorite, feel free to customize your pie with your own beloved toppings!
To really amp up the flavor profile, I love to add a generous sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes directly onto the pizza before baking. This provides an extra kick that complements the spicy sausage beautifully. A teaspoon or so of fennel seeds also makes an incredible addition, infusing the pizza with its distinct, slightly anise-like aroma and taste, which pairs wonderfully with Italian sausage. Finally, a scattering of fresh oregano leaves after baking adds a burst of herbaceous freshness and vibrant color. And for those who love a bit more richness, a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese is always a welcome finish.
Crafting Your Pizza Masterpiece: Tips for Success
Achieving pizza perfection at home is simpler than you might think. Here are a few tips to ensure your Spicy Sausage Pizza with Roasted Red Pepper and Onion is a resounding success:
- Dough Dynamics: The key to a great crust starts with warm water for activating the yeast. Don’t rush the rising process; allow the dough ample time to double in size for a light and airy texture. A warm spot in your kitchen, free from drafts, is ideal.
- Sauce Simplicity: Using whole peeled tomatoes provides a robust base. Draining them slightly before blending prevents a watery sauce, ensuring your pizza isn’t soggy. A simple blend of garlic, oregano, salt, pepper flakes, and a pinch of sugar creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Topping Prep Pays Off: Cooking the sausage until no longer pink and softening the onions beforehand ensures they are perfectly done when the pizza finishes baking. Draining jarred roasted red peppers removes excess moisture, preventing a soggy crust.
- Hot Oven is Your Friend: A screaming hot oven (500°F/260°C) is crucial for a crisp crust and beautifully melted cheese. If you have a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven for at least 30-60 minutes before baking to ensure an evenly cooked bottom crust.
- Don’t Overload: While tempting, too many toppings can lead to a soggy pizza. Aim for a balanced layer to allow each ingredient to shine and the crust to cook properly.
- The Slide Technique: If using a pizza peel and stone, a generous dusting of cornmeal on the peel will help the pizza slide off smoothly into the hot oven. A quick, confident slide is key!
So, next pizza night, commit to the extra effort and make everything from scratch. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes, and your taste buds will thank you. Get ready for a truly exceptional homemade pizza experience. Enjoy every single bite!
Spicy Sausage Pizza with Roasted Red Pepper and Onion
Ingredients
- Pizza Dough:
- 1 cup warm water 105-110 degrees
- 2 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1 – 1/4 oz. packet active dry yeast
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cups bread flour plus extra for dusting (I use Bob’s Red Mill Artisan Bread Flour)
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- yellow cornmeal for dusting board
- Sauce:
- 1 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp. sugar
- Topping:
- 8 oz. shredded mozzarella more if you like it extra cheesy
- 1 lb. hot Italian sausage
- 1 large red onion quartered and thinly sliced
- 1 cup jarred roasted red pepper strips drained
- olive oil for drizzling
- red pepper flakes fennel seed, fresh oregano leaves, parmesan cheese – for sprinkling – if desired
Instructions
- Dough: Combine warm water, sugar and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer and combine. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until mixture begins to get foamy. Add the olive oil and combine. Mix the flour and salt in a medium bowl; add to the the mixer and with the dough hook attached beat until the dough forms into a ball.
- Scrape dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently. Form into two even balls. Transfer to two bowls sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm placed until doubled in size, 1-2 hours.
- Sauce: Place tomatoes in a strainer. Squeeze tomatoes carefully because juice will squirt out and leave in strainer for 20 minutes. Then place tomatoes, garlic, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes and sugar in a blender and blend until smooth. Some slight chunks are ok too.
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees. If you are using a pizza stone place that in the oven to preheat also.
- Toppings: Remove sausage from casing and cook, in a large skillet over medium-high heat breaking into medium chunks until no longer pink. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Heat one tablespoon olive oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Assembling pizza: Stretch one ball of dough into a 12 inch round on a lightly floured and cornmealed pizza peel or rimless baking sheet. Spread 1/3-1/2 cup sauce on top of the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese, sausage, onion and peppers. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and then sprinkle with red pepper flakes and fennel seed. Slide the pizza onto the stone if you’re using or baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly, about 10-15 minutes, rotating if needed.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with oregano leaves and parmesan cheese if desired. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool 2 minutes before cutting into slices. Repeat with second ball of dough.