Friday night pizza lovers love this Italian Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza. It’s so much better than store-bought pizza that this post will show you how to make it—it’s simple!
Dustin and I have never agreed on what type of pizza we like best. I know. What the heck? We’re still together, how come we can’t agree on something as important to marriage as pizza?
You know we both love our pizza. But without fail, Dustin will always be an Italian Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza kinda guy. Me? I like variety! I bounce from the Hawaiian to the Vegetarian to the Supreme to the. I imagine you get my point.
Dustin is the way he is because meat-only toppings are his jam. Add some breakfast bacon and maybe some salami and hes in heaven.
Eventually, I decided to embrace Dustins beloved pizza. But. in my own way. I wasn’t going to use the average Italian sausage or the cheap, thin pepperoni that comes on most frozen pizzas. Nope. I bought freshly made sweet Italian sausage links from my butcher and some nitrate and nitrite free pepperoni. Yep, my way.
I remember Dustin’s face when I told him I was going to make his favorite pizza at home. Total brownie points for Lacey.
Well, turns out the pizza was fantastic. I used fresh mozzarella and homemade pizza dough to make my simple tomato sauce. Both of these are always hits in our house.
I have to say that Italian Sausage and Pepperoni is now a strong contender for my favorite home-based pizza. It was that good. Ive already made it again. Twice.
Pizza is one of America’s favorite foods The endless possibilities of tasty toppings make it an ideal dish for pleasing a crowd, A savory Italian sausage is a popular choice to spice up a pizza But is it safe to use raw sausage as a topping? Let’s explore the pros and cons of putting raw Italian sausage on pizza,
Understanding Raw Italian Sausage
Italian sausage is a type of fresh pork sausage seasoned with garlic, fennel seed, and paprika. It has a delicious rich flavor that enhances many dishes. Raw Italian sausage has not been cooked. It contains fresh, uncooked pork.
Ground pork is often used to make Italian sausage. The meat is mixed with seasonings and stuff into casings to form sausages. When raw, the sausage meat is uncooked and could contain harmful bacteria. Proper handling and thorough cooking are necessary to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Safety Concerns of Raw Meat Toppings
In general, raw meats may contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. These bacteria can cause food poisoning with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Some bacteria can even cause severe illness or death in high-risk groups.
Cooked meats are safer because high temperatures kill disease-causing germs. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F to eliminate bacteria
Sausage casings also pose a potential choking risk, especially for children. Remove casings before adding raw sausage to pizza.
Benefits of Cooking Sausage First
Pre-cooking Italian sausage offers a few advantages:
- Kills bacteria for food safety
- Reduces choking hazard by removing casings
- Browning adds flavor from the Maillard reaction
- Prevents a rubbery texture from undercooked sausage
- Allows slicing sausage for even cooking and portion control
- Provides option to drain off excess fat
You can pan-fry, bake, or grill sausage before adding it to pizza. Aim for an internal temperature of 160°F. Let the cooked sausage cool slightly before placing it on the pizza.
Can Raw Sausage Cook Enough on Pizza?
Most pizza ovens heat to around 500°F. The high temperature allows for fast cooking times, usually between 6-10 minutes.
Raw sausage can technically cook to a safe temperature in this environment. However, results can be inconsistent.
Factors like pizza size, oven hot spots, and topping distribution affect how evenly and thoroughly sausage cooks. Some pieces may end up undercooked.
For food safety, it’s best to fully cook sausage before putting it on pizza. Don’t rely on the pizza oven as the only source of heat.
Tips for Using Raw Italian Sausage on Pizza
If you want to live on the edge and use raw Italian sausage as a pizza topping, follow these tips to stay safe:
- Carefully handle and store sausage below 40°F before use.
- Discard sausage that smells bad or feels slimy.
- Remove sausage from casing and break into small, 1/2″ pieces.
- Distribute pieces evenly over pizza surface.
- Use sausage as the only meat topping.
- Cook pizza until crust and cheese are well-done.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving. The temperature will continue rising.
Safer Alternatives to Raw Sausage
For worry-free pizza-making, use one of these pre-cooked sausage options:
Pre-Cooked Sausage
Many grocery stores sell Italian sausage that is already fully cooked. It just needs to be heated through and can go straight onto the pizza. Opt for pre-cooked sausage links or patties.
Leftover Sausage
Cook a batch of Italian sausage ahead of time by browning on the stove or baking in the oven. Let it cool, then store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat or add to pizza cold.
Cured Sausage
Cured sausages like pepperoni and salami are shelf-stable and ready to eat. The curing process makes them safe at room temperature. Sprinkle sliced cured sausage on pizza raw.
Final Thoughts
While it’s possible to use raw Italian sausage on pizza, food safety should be the priority. For best results, choose pre-cooked or cured sausage instead of raw. Or fully cook raw sausage before assembling pizza. With a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the amazing flavor of Italian sausage on pizza without the worries.
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What Type Of Sausage Is Good For Pizza?
Look for sausage that has low sugar and low sodium, as well as no nitrates or no nitrites. The best sausage for pizza has around 80-85% pork and 15-20% fat. Thats my rule of thumb. You don’t have to follow this rule, but I’ve found it to be the right amount of sweet or savory. This amount of fat is just right to give the pizza that extra something, but not so much that it gets too greasy to eat.
Should You Put Raw Italian Sausage On Pizza?
Cook it first, please! It is always important to cook Italian sausage before placing it on your pizza.
Pizzas dont usually take long to bake, roughly around 25 minutes. So if you add raw meats like Italian sausages, chicken, or bacon. it will simply not cook through within this short baking window. Not letting it stay in the oven longer is also not an option because the crust will get burnt. So fry up the sausage first.
*Exceptions exist for smoked sausages, pepperoni, and pastrami. These you can toss on right away without pre-cooking.
Recipe: Easy Sausage Pizza
FAQ
Does Italian sausage need to be cooked before putting on pizza?
Do you have to cook sausage before putting it in the pizza oven?
Can I use raw sausage on pizza?
Can I eat Italian sausage raw?
Do they use raw sausage on pizza?
They have been around for 50 years and still today they use raw sausage on all of the pizzas. They are one of the highest-grossing independent pizzerias in the nation, by the way. Let’s look at how and why I actually use several different sausage types in my shops.
What is the purpose of using fennel in Italian sausage?
The fennel in the sausage is just for flavor. But Fennel is widely used to combat gastrointestinal problems, helps digestion, fights flatulence and diarrhea, can help fight anxiety, stress and insomnia, helps release excess fluid in the body, can reduce menstrual pain, prevents bad breath and heartburn, in addition to other benefits.
Should I cook Italian sausage before putting it on a pizza?
Cook it first, please! It is always important to cook Italian sausage before placing it on your pizza. Pizza’s don’t usually take long to bake, roughly around 25 minutes. So if you add raw meats like Italian sausages, chicken, or baconit will simply not cook through within this short baking window.
What is a sausage on a pizza?
Pizza is one of the most popular food items in the world, and many people are familiar with the sausage that goes on it. Sausages are a common topping on pizza, and there a variety of them that can be used.Some sausages are made with pork, others with beef, and some with chicken.