Easy Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza — Simple Homemade Pizza Recipe

Posted on January 19, 2026

Homemade Pizza close-up: golden crust topped with crumbled sausage, ricotta dollops, melted mozzarella and a glossy hot-honey drizzle, garnished with basil.

Homemade Pizza lovers — this Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza is the kind of pie that flips dinner from “meh” to “memorable.” Think creamy ricotta, savory sausage, stretchy mozzarella, and a sticky-hot honey finish that lights up each bite. Ready in under an hour, it’s gourmet vibes with zero pretense.

Brief introduction to the recipe

This pizza balances sweet, spicy, and savory in every slice. You get pockets of ricotta, ribbons of melted mozzarella, savory crumbles of sausage, and that final kiss of honey + hot sauce. It’s rustic, bright, and oddly addictive — the sort of thing friends will beg you to make again.

Why you’ll love this pizza

  • Fast and impressive — gourmet results without a brick oven.
  • Big-texture contrast — crispy crust, gooey cheese, and creamy ricotta.
  • Crowd-pleaser — great for casual dinners or weekend entertaining.
  • Flexible — easy to tweak for High Protein Recipes Dinner or vegetarian swaps.
  • It tastes like comfort and celebration at once. I Love Food, and this pizza proves it.

The story behind the pie

One night I raided the fridge — leftover Italian sausage, a tub of ricotta, and a lonely jar of honey. I slapped everything on a flatbread and, long story short, friends started scheduling dinner around it. That spontaneous experiment became a regular hit. Moral: pantry leftovers + curiosity = culinary magic.


Ingredients breakdown — why each part matters

Crust (base)

  • Use naan, store-bought dough, or your favorite pizza dough. Naan gives instant rustic crunch; dough gives that classic pizzeria chew. Tip: preheat a stone or baking sheet for a crisp bottom.

Sauce

  • A thin spread of pizza sauce or crushed tomatoes keeps moisture in check. You want flavor, not sogginess.

Cheeses

  • Mozzarella gives stretch and melt.
  • Ricotta delivers creamy bursts — spoon it in pockets; don’t spread. Bold tip: use whole-milk ricotta for best richness.

Sausage

  • Cooked spicy or mild Italian sausage adds meaty umami. Browning it first brings caramelized flavor.

Honey + Hot Sauce

  • Mixing honey with a dash of hot sauce gives you the Honey Pizza magic: sweet heat that caramelizes slightly on warm cheese. Adjust heat to taste.

Finishes

  • Fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil lift the pie to restaurant-level.

Pro tip: quality ingredients = better end result. You don’t need ten things; you need good ones.

Homemade Pizza close-up: golden crust topped with crumbled sausage, ricotta dollops, melted mozzarella and a glossy hot-honey drizzle, garnished with basil.Pin


Step-by-step “How to Make It”

Prep like a pro

  1. Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, heat it inside the oven.
  2. Brown the sausage in a skillet; drain excess fat. Let it rest.
  3. Drain ricotta if very wet (use a fine sieve) to avoid watery pockets.

Build

  1. Roll or stretch dough (or lay out naan). Brush the edges with olive oil for a golden rim.
  2. Spread a light layer of pizza sauce — thin and even. Too much sauce = soggy crust.
  3. Scatter shredded mozzarella evenly. Add crumbled sausage. Spoon dollops of ricotta across the surface — leave white pockets.
  4. Sprinkle red pepper flakes if you want a kick, and add a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper.

Bake

  1. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake 10–12 minutes until the crust crisps and cheese bubbles. Watch closely — ovens vary.

Finish

  1. Mix 2 tbsp honey with 1–2 tsp hot sauce (adjust to your heat tolerance). Drizzle the hot honey over the pizza as soon as it comes out of the oven. Garnish with torn basil.

Want an air-fryer version? Use naan, assemble on foil, and air-fry at 375°F for 8–10 minutes — finish with hot honey off-heat.


Pro tips for perfect results

  • Patience on the crust: Preheat your stone or sheet; that high surface heat gives you blistered, crisp bottom.
  • Less sauce, more control: A thin layer prevents soggy centers.
  • Dollop, don’t spread the ricotta. Those pockets melt into creamy islands.
  • Keep butter and oil in check — too much fat makes the crust limp.
  • Taste as you go — sausage and parmesan add salt; season carefully.
  • If the pie threatens to burn on top before the bottom crisps, lower rack and increase temp slightly; reverse if bottom browns first.

Bold tip: let baked pizza rest 2 minutes before slicing. Cheese sets slightly and you keep the gooey factor without disaster on the cutting board.


Variations to try (because food should be fun)

  • Swap ricotta for burrata right after baking — ooey-gooey heaven.
  • Use goat cheese for tang.
  • Add caramelized onions for sweetness and depth.
  • For a High Protein Recipes Dinner, double the sausage or add shredded chicken.
  • Make it vegetarian: roasted mushrooms + eggplant + spinach + ricotta pockets.
  • Swap hot sauce in honey for chili oil or ghost-pepper sauce if you dare.

Want to glam it up? Finish with a honey infused with chili flakes or a few grinds of smoked sea salt.


Best ways to serve this pizza

  • Serve with a crisp green salad (lemon vinaigrette) to cut richness.
  • Pair with a cold, citrusy beer or a bright white wine like Sauvignon Blanc.
  • For a casual party: cut into squares, serve on a long board, and let guests grab slices.
  • Want to elevate? Drizzle a balsamic reduction lightly around the plate for contrast.

This pizza plays both weeknight hero and party main with equal confidence — true Main Dish Recipes energy.


Storage and reheating — keep it tasty

  • Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container up to 3 days. Warm in oven or toaster oven at 375°F for 6–8 minutes to restore crisp.
  • Avoid microwaving unless you accept a soggy base.
  • Freeze assembled (uncooked) pies on a sheet, then wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes.

FYI: drizzling hot honey after reheating restores that fresh-baked sweetness.

Homemade Pizza close-up: golden crust topped with crumbled sausage, ricotta dollops, melted mozzarella and a glossy hot-honey drizzle, garnished with basil.Pin


FAQs — quick answers

Can I use store-bought flatbreads or naan?

Absolutely. They crisp up fast and save time. Stonefire naan works great.

How spicy is this?

You control it. Use mild sausage and less hot sauce for kids; dial up cayenne or ghost pepper for thrill-seekers.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes — swap to gluten-free flatbread or cauliflower crust. Bake a bit longer for extra crisp.

Is ricotta necessary?

It gives signature creamy pockets, but burrata or mascarpone make excellent substitutes if you prefer.

What if I don’t have a pizza stone?

No problem. Use a preheated heavy baking sheet or cast-iron skillet. Same principle: hot surface = crisp crust.


Why this ranks among Delicious Pizza Recipes

This pie hits the trifecta: texture, contrast, and flavor complexity. The interplay of hot + sweet with creamy ricotta and savory sausage creates a memorable experience. It sits comfortably in any roundup of Delicious Pizza ideas because it surprises every time.

If you collect Pizza Recipes Homemade, this one belongs near the top — it’s approachable, flexible, and reliably exciting.


Pairings and menu ideas

  • Appetizer: Simple bruschetta or roasted red pepper dip.
  • Side: Arugula salad with lemon dressing.
  • Drink: Citrus-forward beer or a slightly chilled rosé.
  • Dessert: A light panna cotta or honey-lavender ice cream to echo the sweet notes.

Final thoughts wrap-up

Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza proves that bold combinations win. It’s an accessible Gourmet Pizza — impressive but not fussy — and a strong contender for your next Friday night or laid-back dinner party. Whether you make it on store-bought naan or hand-stretched dough, it rewards you with flavor contrasts that linger.

So, ready to drizzle that hot honey and watch people’s faces change? I promise: you’ll hear “make this again” before the plates are cleared. I Love Food, and this pizza is a top-tier reason why. IMO, it’s the kind of dinner that becomes a tradition.

Go on — roll the dough (or grab some naan), fire up the oven, and let that sweet-heat magic happen. Your taste buds will thank you.

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Homemade Pizza close-up: golden crust topped with crumbled sausage, ricotta dollops, melted mozzarella and a glossy hot-honey drizzle, garnished with basil.Pin

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Homemade Pizza close-up: golden crust topped with crumbled sausage, ricotta dollops, melted mozzarella and a glossy hot-honey drizzle, garnished with basil.

Easy Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza — Simple Homemade Pizza Recipe

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  • Author: Jennifer
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large pizza (about 8 slices) 1x
  • Category: Dinner

Description

A spicy-sweet pizza that pairs browned Italian sausage with creamy ricotta and a sticky hot-honey finish. Crispy crust, melty mozzarella, and little pockets of ricotta make every slice pop with contrast — ideal for an elevated weeknight or an easy gourmet gathering.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ball pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
  • ½ cup pizza sauce or crushed San Marzano tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup cooked spicy Italian sausage, crumbled
  • ½ cup whole-milk ricotta
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Hot honey, to taste, for drizzling after baking
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn, for finishing (optional)


Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 475°F (245°C). Place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet inside to warm.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the dough to your preferred thickness. Slide it onto a piece of parchment for easy transfer.
  3. Spread the sauce thinly and evenly over the dough, leaving a small rim for the crust. A light hand prevents a soggy center.
  4. Scatter the shredded mozzarella across the sauce, then distribute the cooked sausage over the cheese.
  5. Drop spoonfuls of ricotta across the pie so you get creamy bursts in each bite — don’t spread it flat. Sprinkle red pepper flakes now if you want extra heat.
  6. Brush the exposed crust lightly with olive oil to promote browning and a crisp edge.
  7. Slide the pizza (on the parchment) onto the preheated stone or sheet. Bake 10–12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
  8. Remove the pizza from the oven, immediately drizzle with hot honey to your liking, and scatter torn basil over the top. Slice and serve hot.

Notes

  • Control the heat by adjusting how much hot honey or red pepper flakes you use.
  • Use a high-quality ricotta for richer, creamier pockets.
  • For an extra-crisp base, brush the underside of the dough with a little oil before adding toppings.
  • If you prefer a grill flavor, cook on a preheated pellet grill at the same temperature, directly on the grates.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 slices
  • Calories: 390
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 620mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Homemade Pizza, Honey Pizza, Delicious Pizza Recipes, High Protein Recipes Dinner, Gourmet Pizza, Pizza Recipes Homemade, Delicious Pizza, Main Dish Recipes, I Love Food

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