Here’s how to make a quick and easy sausage pizza topping that will make any classic sausage pie taste even better.
Sausage is a tasty, protein-packed topping that can take your homemade pizza to the next level. The key is knowing how to cook sausage properly so it’s perfectly browned, flavorful and ready to complement the other toppings Undercooked sausage can leave your pizza lacking, while overcooked sausage can end up dry, tough and bland.
In this article, I’ll share my tips and tricks as a home cook for cooking sausage just right for pizza. You’ll learn how to choose the best type of sausage, prep and cook it, and add it to pizza for the optimal flavor and texture. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Best Sausage for Pizza
The first step is selecting a high quality sausage that will shine on pizza. Here are some things to look for:
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Flavor – Italian-seasoned pork or chicken sausage works great. Go for sweet or spicy based on your preference.
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Casing – Natural casings add nice texture but can be removed if desired. Skinless sausage is fine too.
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Fat percentage – Around 20% fat provides richness without greasiness.
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Pre-cooked vs raw – Raw needs cooking but avoids dryness Pre-cooked is quicker,
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Fresh vs. frozen – Fresh is best but frozen can work too if thawed completely.
Shop quality sausage brands like Johnsonville, Pizza Hut, Aidells, Trader Joe’s, and Applegate Organics for excellent flavor. Or visit a local butcher for fresh, housemade sausage.
Prepping the Sausage Before Cooking
Once you’ve selected your sausage, proper prep is key:
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Remove casing – Peel off casing for raw sausage so it can crumble nicely.
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Cut into chunks – Slice sausages into small 1/2″ pieces to help it cook faster.
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Blot excess moisture – Use paper towels to remove moisture that can cause splattering.
Doing this prep gets the sausage ready for quick, even cooking.
Cooking the Sausage to Perfection
The cooking method you use depends on whether your sausage is raw or pre-cooked.
For Raw Sausage
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Use a skillet – Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
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Break up the meat – As it cooks, break up chunks thoroughly with a spoon.
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Cook until browned – Go for an internal temp of 160°F and nice brown exterior.
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Drain grease – Remove excess fat by draining on paper towels after cooking.
Cooking it slowly allows the sausage to render fat and become nicely browned.
For Pre-Cooked Sausage
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Use the oven or toaster oven – Cook at 375°F for 4-5 minutes to warm through.
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Stir occasionally – Gently stir while cooking to evenly heat.
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Avoid overcooking – Don’t cook pre-cooked sausage too long or it dries out.
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Drain grease – Blot grease after warming.
Pre-cooked sausage just needs a quick gentle warm up.
Adding the Sausage to Pizza
Once your sausage is cooked, it’s ready to top your pizza! Here are some serving tips:
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Sprinkle it on top – Distribute chunks evenly over sauce and cheese.
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Layer under cheese – For extra flavor, put sausage under shredded mozzarella.
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Mix with other meats – Combine with peppeoni or bacon for a meat lover’s pie.
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Make it a star – Showcase sausage by using it as the only topping.
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Crumble it – For a sausage crumble effect, break up cooked chunks.
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Slice a ring – Arrange sliced sausage rounds for flair.
Get creative with how you add the sausage – the options are endless!
Baking Pizza with Sausage Topping
Once your pizza is topped, finish it off with the right baking technique:
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Use a pizza stone or steel – These crisp up the crust beautifully.
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Crank up the temperature – Bake at 450°F or higher to melt cheese quickly.
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Rotate halfway through – Rotate the pizza 180 degrees partway through baking.
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Check often – Monitor to avoid burning the cheese or charring the crust.
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Let rest before slicing – Allow the pizza to rest 1-2 minutes before cutting to set.
Proper baking helps the sausage, cheese and crust reach tasty perfection.
Types of Sausage Worth Trying on Pizza
While Italian pork sausage is most common, don’t be afraid to get creative with other sausage varieties!
- Andouille – The Cajun kick enhances sauce and cheese
- Chorizo – Smoky, spicy and full of flavor
- Kielbasa – Robust, garlicky Polish sausage
- Bratwurst – Onions and mustard complement the toppings
- Chicken apple – Fruity twist on chicken sausage
- Vegan – Try soyrizo or veggie sausage for plant-based pies
So branch out and discover new favorite sausage pizza combinations!
Handy Tips for Sausage Pizza Success
- Use raw sausage for the juiciest flavor – just be sure to cook thoroughly.
- Cut sausage before cooking so it browns faster and more evenly.
- Blot cooked sausage with paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Mix Italian seasonings into mild sausage to boost the flavor.
- Scatter cooked crumbled sausage over the entire pizza for bites in every slice.
- Can’t use up all the sausage? Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
With these tips for choosing, cooking and serving sausage, your homemade pizza will be the life of the party! From classic Italian-seasoned to inventive flavor fusions, sausage pizza offers a hearty, protein-packed way to enjoy everyone’s favorite Friday night food.
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How to make it
Here’s an overview of what you’ll do to make sausage pizza topping. The video that goes with this post shows you how to do it, and the recipe card below has all the information you need.
- To begin, heat the olive oil and add the garlic, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes.
- Add the sausage.
- Break it up into bite-sized pieces and stir it every so often while you cook it until it’s completely clear and lightly browned.
- Drain on paper towels before using. That’s it!
My favorite sources for meat & pantry staples
For years, I’ve been sourcing our meat from ButcherBox. We love this service that brings grass-fed beef, heritage breed pork, organic chicken, and other meats from small farms straight to customers. You can learn more in my extensive Butcher Box review and unboxing.
I love Thrive Market for a wide variety of products. People often compare them to a mix of Whole Foods and Costco. They are an online market where members can buy healthier goods at lower prices. Plus, they’re mission-driven, engaged in the community, and not currently owned by a giant corporation. You can learn more in my Thrive Market review and unboxing.
Recipe: Easy Sausage Pizza
FAQ
Do you cook sausage before putting on pizza?
Do you have to cook sausage before putting it in the pizza oven?
What kind of sausage is best for pizza?
Do you cook sausage in the oven or stove?
How do you make a good sausage pizza?
Place raw ground pork into a mixing bowl. Measure out all your herbs and spices and sprinkle over the pork; thoroughly mix everything together. Brown the meat mixture in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain sausage on a paper towel lined plate. Add cooked sausage to your pizza with other toppings of choice. Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!
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.
Do you pre Cook sausage on a pizza?
Previously, anytime I made pizza with sausage on top, I would pre-cook the sausage. No more. Kenji stressed the importance of using raw sausage and the flavor it would bring to the pie. I haven’t thought much about this previously, I’ve always been conscience of serving my guests raw sausage.
How do you cook sausage in a pizza pan?
Take the skillet off the heat and transfer the sausage to a paper towel–lined plate. Blot the top of the sausage with a few clean paper towels. Stretch or roll out your dough to a 12- to 14-inch circle, then transfer it to a baking sheet / pizza pan or a lightly floured pizza peel (if using a baking stone/steel).