Cheesy Sheet Pan Italian Sausage Pizza Recipe
A delicious and easy Cheesy Sheet Pan Italian Sausage Pizza recipe featuring a crispy crust, flavorful cooked Italian sausage with fennel seeds and spices, melted mozzarella, and savory toppings baked on a sheet pan for 12 perfect slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Italian Sausage
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- 1 ½ tsp fennel seeds
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Pizza Assembly
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tsp fresh oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Cooked Italian sausage (prepared above)
- Large pepperoni slices (quantity as desired, approx. 12-15 slices)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (to taste, about 2 tbsp)
- Red chili flakes (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a sheet pan inside the oven while it heats to ensure the bottom of the crust crisps up perfectly.
- Cook Italian Sausage: In a medium skillet over medium heat, crumble the Italian sausage. Add fennel seeds, garlic powder, dried oregano, and black pepper. Cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set the sausage aside.
- Prepare Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out or stretch your pizza dough to roughly fit a 9x11 inch sheet pan.
- Oil the Sheet Pan: Carefully remove the hot sheet pan from the oven and drizzle it evenly with olive oil to prevent sticking and help with crisping the crust.
- Transfer Dough: Place the prepared dough into the sheet pan and gently press it out to cover the entire surface and edges of the pan.
- Add Sauce and Seasonings: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the sauce with garlic powder and fresh oregano to enhance the flavor.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Then, spread the cooked Italian sausage and top with large pepperoni slices.
- Bake: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and crisp and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and red chili flakes over the top to add extra flavor and a slight kick. Let the pizza cool slightly before slicing it into 12 squares. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a spicier sausage, substitute mild Italian sausage with hot Italian sausage.
- You can add extra toppings like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms if desired.
- If you prefer a thinner crust, roll the dough out thinner and reduce baking time slightly while monitoring crust color.
- Letting the sheet pan heat in the oven before adding the dough helps create a crispier bottom crust.
- Store leftover pizza covered in the refrigerator and reheat in a skillet or oven for best texture.
