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If you ask me, homemade pizza is always better than takeout.
This hearty pork sausage pizza brings together all the comfort of a classic pie with the rich flavor of Italian-style sausage. The combination of melted cheese and slightly spicy meat creates something that’s both familiar and special.
I brown the sausage until it’s nice and crispy, then scatter it over a base of tangy tomato sauce and stretchy mozzarella. A sprinkle of fresh basil at the end adds just the right touch of freshness.
It’s a crowd-favorite that makes Friday night pizza at home feel like a real treat, and best of all, it’s easier to make than you might think.
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Pizza
- Quick dinner solution – Ready in just 30 minutes, this pizza is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Simple ingredients – Using ready-made pizza crusts and basic toppings you can easily find at any grocery store makes this recipe super convenient.
- Customizable recipe – You can adjust the spice level with chili flakes, swap toppings, or add your favorite vegetables to make it exactly how you like it.
- Restaurant-quality taste – The combination of savory sausage, melty mozzarella, and fresh tomatoes gives you that authentic pizzeria flavor right from your own oven.
What Kind of Pork Sausage Should I Use?
Italian sausage is the go-to choice for pizza, and you’ve got two main options here – sweet (mild) or hot Italian sausage. Sweet Italian sausage has a nice balance of fennel and garlic that works really well with pizza toppings, while hot Italian sausage adds an extra kick of heat from red pepper flakes. If you’re using regular breakfast sausage instead, try adding some fennel seeds and garlic powder to get closer to that classic pizza flavor. Just remember to remove the sausage from its casing and break it into small chunks before cooking – this helps it brown evenly and distributes the meat better across your pizza.
Options for Substitutions
This pizza recipe is pretty flexible and you can switch things up based on what you have in your kitchen:
- Pork sausages: You can swap the pork sausages with chicken or turkey sausages for a lighter option. Plant-based sausages work too if you’re going meat-free. Just remove the casings and crumble before cooking, just like you would with regular sausage.
- Ready-made pizza crusts: No pre-made crusts? You can use naan bread, flatbread, or even thick-cut pita bread as your base. Just keep in mind they might cook faster than regular pizza crust.
- Tomato pizza sauce: Regular marinara sauce works great here, or you can use pesto for a different flavor. If using tomato paste, mix it with a little water and add some Italian herbs to taste.
- Mozzarella: While mozzarella is classic for pizza, you can try provolone or fontina cheese. For a dairy-free option, plant-based cheese alternatives will work, though they might not melt the same way.
- Cherry tomatoes: Regular sliced tomatoes work just fine, or you can skip them altogether. Roasted red peppers make a good swap too.
- Basil/arugula: Fresh spinach or parsley can stand in for the basil or arugula. If using dried basil instead of fresh, just sprinkle it on before baking.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making sausage pizza is not pre-cooking the sausage – raw sausage won’t fully cook during the pizza’s short baking time and can make your crust soggy from excess grease. To get the best flavor, remove the sausage from its casing and brown it in small chunks before adding it to your pizza. Another common error is overloading the pizza with too much sauce or cheese, which can lead to a soggy middle and undercooked crust – stick to a thin layer of sauce and an even sprinkle of cheese. For the crispiest crust, preheat your oven (with the pizza stone or baking sheet inside) for at least 30 minutes at the highest temperature your oven allows, and avoid opening the oven door while baking. If you’re using fresh herbs like basil or arugula, add them after the pizza comes out of the oven to prevent them from wilting and losing their fresh flavor.
What to Serve With Pizza?
A homemade pizza night calls for some tasty sides that complement all those savory Italian flavors! I love starting with a simple green salad tossed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar – it adds a fresh contrast to the rich, cheesy pizza. Since this sausage pizza is pretty hearty, you might want to balance it with some roasted veggies like bell peppers and zucchini, which echo the Italian theme. For a complete feast, add some garlic knots or breadsticks (because who doesn’t love more carbs with their carbs?), and maybe some marinara sauce for dipping. If you’re feeding a crowd, a bowl of marinated olives makes an easy appetizer that everyone can snack on while the pizza’s baking.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Got leftover pizza? Pop it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Pro tip: stack the slices with pieces of parchment paper in between to prevent them from sticking together.
Freeze: This pizza freezes really well! Place the cooled slices in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between each piece, and they’ll stay good for up to 2 months. It’s perfect for those nights when you need a quick dinner fix.
Reheat: To get that just-baked taste back, pop your pizza in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the microwave, but the crust won’t be as crispy. For frozen slices, add a few extra minutes to the heating time.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 12-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 22-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1500-1700
- Protein: 90-100 g
- Fat: 90-100 g
- Carbohydrates: 130-150 g
Ingredients
- 330g pork or italian pork sausages
- 2 ready-made pizza crusts
- 1/3 cup tomato pizza sauce or paste
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 12 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
- Basil or arugula leaves for garnish
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pizza Bases
Preheat your oven to 240°C (fan-forced).
Once the oven is heating, place your pizza bases on two separate pizza or baking trays.
This setup will allow you to assemble your pizzas with ease and ensure even cooking.
Step 2: Add Sauce and Spice
Generously spread each pizza base with your choice of pizza sauce or tomato paste.
If you enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle some chili flakes over the sauce for an added kick.
Step 3: Add Sausage and Cheese
Open the casing of your sausages and dollop approximately 1cm-sized rough balls of the sausage mixture across each pizza.
Add halved cherry tomatoes atop the sausage.
Evenly sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese over the top to ensure a gooey, cheesy finish.
Step 4: Bake the Pizzas
Place the prepared pizzas into the preheated oven.
Bake them for 12-15 minutes or until the bases are golden brown and the sausage pieces are nicely browned and cooked through.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once the pizzas are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven.
Drizzle each pizza with a little extra virgin olive oil for added flavor.
Top with fresh basil or baby rocket leaves for a burst of freshness before serving.
Enjoy your delicious homemade pizzas!