Loaded with Italian sausage, sweet peppers, onions, and melty cheese, this homemade pizza is always a crowd-pleaser.
At a glance: Sausage and Pepper Pizza
- What it is: A homemade white pizza inspired by the classic Italian sausage and peppers sandwich.
- Time: Ready in about 25 minutes (not including the pizza dough).
- When to make it: Perfect for pizza night or an easy weeknight dinner.
- Cooking for two? Make two small pizzas so everyone can customize their own, or one 12-inch pizza to share.
- Skill level: Easy.
Ingredients
You'll find the exact ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.
- Pizza dough: Use half a batch of my Pizza Dough by Hand or Stand Mixer Pizza Dough, or make one batch of my Small Batch Pizza Dough recipe. Store-bought pizza dough works too.
- Sausage: I use fully cooked Italian chicken sausage because it's quick, flavorful, and a lighter option for an easy weeknight dinner. You can also use Italian pork sausage, but be sure to cook it completely before slicing and adding it to the pizza. For a vegetarian option, I like Beyond Italian Sausage, which should also be cooked before using.
- Bell peppers and onion: Sauté the peppers and onions just until the onions turn translucent but the peppers still have a little crunch. This brings out their natural sweetness while adding great texture to the finished pizza.
- Provolone and mozzarella: Provolone adds rich, savory flavor, while mozzarella gives you that classic melty cheese pull. Together, they make the perfect combination for this white pizza.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Sprinkle on a little crushed red pepper for a mild kick that pairs well with the sausage and peppers.
How to make sausage and pepper pizza
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Cook the peppers and onions. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bell peppers and onion, then season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the onions are translucent and the peppers are still slightly crisp. Remove from the heat.
- Prepare the pizza dough. Stretch the dough into two small pizzas or one 12-inch pizza, then place it on a pizza pan or baking sheet.
- Assemble the pizza. Layer the provolone cheese over the dough, then top with the cooked peppers and onions, sliced cooked sausage, mozzarella cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes, if using.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Keep the peppers and onions slightly crisp. Sauté them just until the onions turn translucent and the peppers are still slightly crisp. They'll continue to cook in the oven, so there's no need to fully soften them on the stovetop.
- Season the vegetables after cooking. Wait until the peppers and onions are cooked before seasoning them with salt and black pepper. Salting them too early can draw out excess moisture, causing them to soften more than you'd like.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning. Most of the salt in this pizza comes from the sausage and cheese. Since there's no pizza sauce, make sure the peppers and onions are well seasoned so every bite is flavorful.
- Customize the toppings. A sprinkle of Italian seasoning adds even more Italian flavor. If you enjoy a little tang and heat, sliced banana peppers are another delicious addition.
Build Your Pizza from Scratch
If you're making homemade pizza, these recipes will help you build the perfect pizza from the ground up:
- Small Batch Pizza Dough: Perfect for making one 12-inch pizza or two personal pizzas.
- Pizza Dough by Hand: No stand mixer needed.
- Stand Mixer Pizza Dough: Let your mixer do the kneading.
- No-Cook Pizza Sauce: Great if you prefer a traditional red sauce pizza.
More Pizza Recipes
If you enjoyed this sausage and pepper pizza, here are a few more homemade pizza recipes to try:
PrintWhite Pizza with Sausage and Pepper
Inspired by the classic Italian sausage and peppers sandwich, this homemade white pizza is topped with sausage, sautéed bell peppers and onions, provolone, and mozzarella for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 small pizzas or 1 (12-inch) pizza 1x
- Category: pizza
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups sliced bell pepper and onion
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 1.5 lb of pizza dough of your choice (or half of this recipe (using a stand mixer) or this recipe (by hand)), divide in half
- 6 to 8 provolone cheese slices
- 2 fully cooked sausage, sliced (Italian chicken sausage, Italian pork sausage, or plant-based sausage)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Cook the peppers and onions. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers and onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the onion is translucent and the peppers are still slightly crisp. Remove from the heat, then season with salt and black pepper.
- Prepare the pizza dough. Stretch the dough into two small pizzas or one 12-inch pizza, then place it on a pizza pan or baking sheet.
- Assemble the pizza. Layer the provolone cheese over the dough. Top with the cooked peppers and onions, sliced cooked sausage, mozzarella cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes, if using.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Cook the peppers and onions just until the onions turn translucent and the peppers are still slightly crisp. They'll continue cooking in the oven.
- If using raw Italian pork sausage, cook it completely before adding it to the pizza.
- A sprinkle of Italian seasoning or sliced banana peppers makes a delicious addition.
- This recipe is designed as a white pizza without tomato sauce, but you can certainly add pizza sauce if you prefer.
Share your thoughts below!