Even though everyone loves pizza night, if your family is sick of having the same old cheese pizza every week, it might be time to try something new. It’s easy to make pizza night more fun by adding new toppings like sausage. Your family will keep coming back for more slices. Sprinkling some sausage on top of your pizza will also up its protein content — a nice bonus!.
You need to do some work before you can enjoy a sweet and spicy sausage pizza bite. Let’s look at some strategies and options to make your next pizza night unforgettable.
Pizza and sausage are a match made in heaven The savory, slightly spicy flavor of sausage complements the acidity of tomato sauce and cuts through the richness of cheese perfectly Sausage is truly one of the best pizza toppings out there. But not all sausage is created equal when it comes to pizza. The key is using high quality sausage and preparing it properly so that it cooks up crispy, flavorful, and delicious on your homemade pizza.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to cook pizza sausage to absolute perfection. From the best types of sausage to use, top preparation tips, step-by-step cooking instructions, and even delicious recipe ideas – we’ve got you covered. So read on to become a pizza sausage pro!
Choosing the Best Sausage for Pizza
The first step is selecting the right type of sausage Italian sausage is the most popular choice, as its robust seasoning pairs beautifully with pizza There are a few varieties to choose from
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Mild Italian sausage has a touch of fennel and other herbs. It brings nice flavor without too much heat.
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Hot Italian sausage packs some spice thanks to chili pepper flakes or cayenne. It adds a fiery kick.
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Sweet Italian sausage contains garlic, anise, and sometimes even a touch of sugar or maple syrup for subtle sweetness.
All three types work well, so choose based on your preferences. You can also play around with other sausage varieties like chorizo, bratwurst, kielbasa, or chicken sausage.
No matter what type you select, look for sausages with a high meat content and minimal breadcrumbs or fillers. This ensures you get the best texture and flavor. Premio is an excellent brand that makes sausage with premium cuts of pork and chicken and only real, natural spices.
Pre-Cooking Sausage for Pizza
Pizza cooks fast at high heat. To make sure your sausage fully cooks through without burning or drying out, it helps to par-cook it before adding it to the pizza. Here are a few pre-cooking methods to try:
Pan Frying
- Remove sausage from casing and break into small crumbles.
- Fry in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels.
Roasting
- Place sausage links on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, pricking sausages with a fork to allow fat to render.
- Cool slightly before slicing.
Poaching
- Add sausage links to gently simmering water or broth.
- Poach for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
- Drain, cool, and slice.
Grilling
- Grill sausage over direct medium heat, turning occasionally.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes until browned.
- Allow to rest before cutting into slices.
Pre-cooking gives you nicely browned, flavorful sausage ready to top your pizza without over-drying.
Topping Your Pizza with Sausage
Once your sausage is pre-cooked, it’s time to add it to the pizza. Here are some top tips:
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Cut it up Slice sausages into disks or cut into bite-sized pieces so the sausage is in every bite
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Go for crispy bits: Dot or nestle sausage pieces so some edges touch the pan or pizza stone to crisp up.
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Layer it under the cheese: Putting sausage under the cheese helps prevent burning.
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Combine with other toppings: Sausage pairs perfectly with onions, peppers, mushrooms, olives, etc.
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Finish with olive oil and herbs: A final drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of oregano or basil gives a burst of fresh flavor.
Delicious Sausage Pizza Recipes
Ready to put your sausage pizza cooking skills to work? Here are some awesome recipe ideas bursting with sausage goodness:
Supreme Sausage Pizza
Top pizza dough with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, pre-cooked Italian sausage, sliced bell peppers, onions, black olives, and mushrooms.
Buffalo Chicken Sausage Pizza
Make a ranch dressing sauce, spread over dough with cheese, add bite-sized pre-cooked chicken sausage pieces, top with diced celery and crumbled blue cheese.
Breakfast Pizza
Pre-cook breakfast sausage patties, assemble on dough with scramble eggs, hash browns, cheddar cheese, and green onions.
Greek Sausage Pita Pizza
Build mini pita pizzas with pre-cooked Greek chicken sausage, feta cheese, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, spinach, and hummus sauce.
BBQ Sausage Pizza
Top prepared crust with tangy BBQ sauce, shredded mozzarella, pre-cooked smoked sausage, red onions, and cilantro.
Get creative and come up with your own signature sausage pizza combinations! Properly prepping and cooking the sausage is key for a crisp, flavorful topping your whole family will love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Pizza Sausage
Should I use raw or pre-cooked sausage on pizza?
It’s best to par-cook or pre-cook the sausage before topping your pizza. This allows the sausage to brown and render fat properly. Raw sausage tends to boil in its own juices and won’t crisp up nicely.
What’s the best way to pre-cook sausage for pizza?
Pan-frying, roasting, poaching, and grilling are all excellent methods. Cook just until done, then let cool slightly before topping pizza.
How small should I cut the sausage for pizza toppings?
Aim for bite-sized pieces about 1/2-inch thick and 1-inch long. Smaller crumbles also work well.
Should sausage go under or on top of the cheese?
Under the cheese helps prevent burning, but you can also sprinkle some pieces over the cheese for nice crispy edges.
What temperature should sausage pizza cook at?
Cook at a high temperature, around 500°F, for 8-12 minutes until the crust and cheese are nicely browned.
Make Pizza Night More Flavorful with Sausage
Adding flavor-packed sausage is one of the tastiest ways to spice up your homemade pizza. With so many varieties to choose from, you can constantly reinvent this classic pie. Just remember to start with quality sausage, pre-cook it properly, and top your pizza with care. In no time, you’ll earn a reputation for serving the best sausage pizza in town!
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How to Prepare Sausage for Pizza
Learn how to cook sausage for pizza toppings, step out of your comfort zone, and add Premio sausage to your next pie. Sausage is an extremely versatile topping, incorporating distinct flavors and aromas in even the most bland dishes. This meat can live on your pizza in many ways — as slices or crumbles or ground up. Whichever way your family wants it, their taste buds will be begging them for more. Let’s take a good look at what’s possible for your sausage pizzas:
On top of pizza, sausage slices are one of the easiest things to do—just cook the sausage link and cut it into slices. This is one of the best ways to enjoy sausage on a pizza. Slices, which are shaped like pepperoni, will spread your sausage out evenly on the pizza so that you get a piece in every bite. Once the sausage is done cooking, wait a few minutes before slicing it into your desired sizes.
The key to getting the most flavorful slices is to avoid piercing the skin. When you cook your sausage with the casing, it will keep more of its juices, giving you a mouthful of bursting flavors you won’t want to miss. Make sure you cook your links slowly to avoid disintegrating, ripping or burning your casing.
Like snowflakes, each crumbled sausage is unique and tastes great. To make crumbles, cut the casing across the middle and remove the meat. You’ll then place it in a pan over medium-high heat to fry it up nicely. Use a spatula to break the meat up into crumbles as it browns. Keep the sausage over high heat until it’s done, then use a slotted spoon to move it from the pan to the pizza.
If you want to enjoy a tasty topping quickly and easily, ground sausage is the way to go. This method is like using sausage crumbles, but using ground sausage will make your pizza ready much faster. Putting raw ground meat into a hot skillet and breaking it up into bite-sized pieces with a spatula is all you need to do. When the meat is firm and no longer leaking, take it out of the pan and sprinkle it on your pizza.
How to Successfully Cook Sausage Links
While many people believe cooking sausage is a challenge, we think it’s quite the opposite. Some of the most common ways to cook Premio sausage links are on the stove, in the oven, or on the grill. No matter what method you use, make sure the pork sausage and chicken sausage are both cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and 165 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, so they are safe to eat. Stick to the following steps to cook your Premio sausage properly:
- Put a pan with 6 tablespoons of water on medium heat.
- Place sausage links in the skillet.
- Cover the pan and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Rotate links often.
- Take off the lid and cook for another five to seven minutes.
- Enjoy!
- Place links on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Place the sheet 7 to 9 inches below the heating element in a cold oven and set the temperature to broil.
- Broil for 13 to 15 minutes on each side.
- Serve and enjoy.
- Preheat your grill with medium flames.
- Set the links on the racks and cook them for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Turn sausage routinely for even browning.
- Serve as desired.