Description
This Spicy Sausage and Pepperoncini Thin Crust Pizza combines savory Italian sausage with the tangy heat of pepperoncini peppers on a crispy thin crust. Topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and seasoned with garlic powder and crushed red pepper flakes, it’s an easy yet flavorful homemade pizza perfect for a quick dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage, crumbled
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to desired thinness and transfer it onto a pizza stone or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add crumbled Italian sausage and cook while breaking it apart with a spoon until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Dough: Brush a thin layer of olive oil over the pizza dough. Sprinkle garlic powder evenly across the surface.
- Assemble Toppings: Evenly distribute the cooked sausage over the dough. Next, scatter the sliced pepperoncini peppers over the sausage layer.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese followed by grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the toppings to ensure complete coverage.
- Bake: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute before slicing.
- Garnish: Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a crisper crust, use a pizza stone preheated in the oven.
- Adjust the amount of pepperoncini and crushed red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for best texture.
- Fresh homemade pizza dough will yield a better texture but store-bought dough works well for convenience.
