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
- Heat the oven to 475°F (245°C). Place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet inside to warm.
- On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the dough to your preferred thickness. Slide it onto a piece of parchment for easy transfer.
- Spread the sauce thinly and evenly over the dough, leaving a small rim for the crust. A light hand prevents a soggy center.
- Scatter the shredded mozzarella across the sauce, then distribute the cooked sausage over the cheese.
- 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.
- Brush the exposed crust lightly with olive oil to promote browning and a crisp edge.
- 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.
- 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