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Home / feat. Pasta / Sausage and Pesto Pizza
Sausage and Pesto Pizza

Sausage and Pesto Pizza

Well, we’re down to one week left before Christmas is finally here! We had a little dusting of snow the other night that had me feeling like I was ready for the celebrations. I’m going to be off work between Christmas and NYE and am looking forward to some down time, just relaxing with a good movie and so today I wanted to share a tasty pizza recipe perfect for making during your down time with your friends and loved ones. This sausage and pesto pizza is easy to make, loaded with flavor and turns out perfectly when made on today’s pizza stone giveaway!

How to make Homemade Pizza

My husband and I really enjoy making homemade pizza and the crust is always the most important part. You want it to turn out airy with a slight chew and perfectly crisp on the bottom. The dough is important but also important is the surface in which you cook your pizza. The new Square Pizza Stone from Emile Henry is the perfect solution to a crispy crust. This stone withstands high heat so it’s great for making pizzas on the grill too. The handles on the stone make it easy to put in and out of the oven without getting burned.

While this pizza may seem slightly basic, there is no compromise on the flavor combination. I use a mild sausage but you can easily spice it up with a spicier Italian blend. The pizza is topped off with sautéed onions, mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of pesto and fresh basil when it comes out of the oven. It’s fresh and delicious and if you’re feeling adventurous you can mix up the types of cheese on the pizza.

Homemade Sausage and Pesto Pizza

I have featured the recipe for my favorite crust on the blog before. This is a quick rising dough that turns out airy and crusty but if you want to make it ahead of time you can cover it loosely in the refrigerator and let it sit longer. You also want to be sure you don’t over-kneed the dough because that will remove all of those airy bubbles. AND NEVER, NEVER use a rolling pin to stretch out the dough!

Homemade Sausage and Pesto Pizza vertical

Emile Henry is being so generous and offering one of my lucky readers their beautiful Square Pizza Stones! Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • To enter the blog giveaway: Leave a comment on this post telling me about your favorite pizza toppings.
  • Bonus Entry #1: Head over to Instagram and follow my profile AND comment on today’s post. Then come back here and comment on this post telling me you have done both.
  • Bonus Entry #2: Head over to Instagram and follow Emile Henry and then come back here and comment on this post telling me you did so!
  • Bonus Entry #3: Share this giveaway on your Facebook page then come back here and leave a link to your post.
  • US entrants only, winners will be chosen 12/26/19 and notified via email the next day! GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

And now for the pizza!

4.9 from 7 reviews
Sausage and Pesto Pizza {Giveaway!}
 
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Author: April | Food n' Focus
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 pound fresh pizza dough (this recipe is perfect)
  • ½ cup pizza sauce
  • ½ pound ground Italian sausage, cooked
  • ½ medium onion, sautéed slightly with olive oil
  • 2 cups low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • ⅓ cup fresh basil pesto
  • Fresh basil leaves for topping
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F with a pizza stone inside.
  2. On a large cutting board or pizza peel, stretch out your dough to be slightly smaller than that of your pizza stone. Spread an even layer of sauce over the crust. Top with sausage crumbles, sautéed onions and cheese.
  3. Carefully slide the pizza onto the hot pizza stone in the oven and cook for 8-12 minutes. Keep an eye on the pizza and remove it just as the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
  4. Drizzle the pesto over the top of the pizza and top with fresh basil before cutting and serving.
3.4.3177

Homemade Sausage and Pesto Pizza vertical

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Comments

  1. KV says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:01 am

    I like pepperoni, canadian bacon, and hamburger.

    Reply
  2. Susan Christy says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:11 am

    I love sausage and mushrooms on my pizza.

    Reply
  3. Susan Christy says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:15 am

    Follow you on IG and commented.

    Reply
  4. Susan Christy says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:16 am

    Follow Emile Henry on IG (susitravl)

    Reply
  5. Kate D. says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:31 am

    I love to top my pizza with mushroom and onion!

    Reply
  6. Brenda Haines says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:31 am

    I have a new favorite pizza. It has a garlic sauce and then it’s topped wild mushrooms, caramelized onion, bacon and fresh mozzarella. It’s truly amazing!!

    Reply
  7. Brenda Haines says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:34 am

    I follow you and commented on today’s post. My handle is @thehippiehut32

    Reply
  8. Brenda Haines says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:36 am

    I follow Emile Henry on instagram.

    Reply
  9. Mary Beth Elderton says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:37 am

    My favorite pizza toppings are pepperoni and onion with double cheese…and top that with Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes.

    Reply
  10. Mary Beth Elderton says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:39 am

    Follow on Instagram as @bethelderton and commented

    Reply
  11. Mary Beth Elderton says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:40 am

    Follow Emile Henry on Instagram as @bethelderton

    Reply
  12. Brenda Haines says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:41 am

    I shared on Facebook. Here is my link. https://www.facebook.com/brenda.haines.50/posts/2662345103854338

    Reply
  13. Kit says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:49 am

    Pineapple and ham

    Reply
  14. Carol H says

    December 18, 2019 at 9:22 am

    We love bbq chicken pizza with caramelized onions.

    Reply
  15. Natalie Vandenberghe says

    December 18, 2019 at 9:45 am

    I love most veggies or Canadian bacon and pineapple.

    Reply
  16. Natalie Vandenberghe says

    December 18, 2019 at 9:48 am

    @lexiquin left comment on your Instagram

    Reply
  17. Cheryl Chervitz says

    December 18, 2019 at 10:00 am

    I like canadian bacon, pineapple, bacon, mushrooms, pepperoni on my pizza.

    Reply
  18. Cheryl Chervitz says

    December 18, 2019 at 10:01 am

    Followed and commented on IG: https://www.instagram.com/cherylchervitz/

    Reply
  19. Cheryl Chervitz says

    December 18, 2019 at 10:03 am

    Followed Emile Henry on IG: https://www.instagram.com/cherylchervitz/

    Reply
  20. Cheryl Chervitz says

    December 18, 2019 at 10:04 am

    Shared on FB: https://www.facebook.com/rozy.nozy/posts/2415088988599629

    Reply
  21. rana durham says

    December 18, 2019 at 11:01 am

    MY FAVE TOPPING IS SPINACH

    Reply
  22. Jean D. says

    December 18, 2019 at 11:03 am

    Mushrooms MUST be on my dream pizza!

    Thanks for a great giveaway.

    Reply
  23. rana durham says

    December 18, 2019 at 11:04 am

    FOLLOWING YOU IG AND COMENTED ON IG POST . MY IG USER NAME IS RANNYDAYZ

    Reply
  24. rana durham says

    December 18, 2019 at 11:04 am

    FOLLOWING EMILE HENRY ON IG @RANNYDAYZ

    Reply
  25. rana durham says

    December 18, 2019 at 11:05 am

    SHARE ON FACEBOOK AT THIS LINK https://www.facebook.com/ranadurham87/posts/2469733169908817

    Reply
  26. Jeffrey says

    December 18, 2019 at 11:45 am

    My favorite pizza topping change with the season, fresh ingredients are always the best! In the summer, nothing beats vine ripened tomatoes plucked right from my garden and fresh basil!
    One of my favorite pies is topped with garlic hummus, spinach, pine nuts, feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, provolone and fresh basil.

    Reply
  27. Jeffrey says

    December 18, 2019 at 11:46 am

    I follow you on Instagram and commented on the post with the handle @firerunner2379.

    Reply
  28. Jeffrey says

    December 18, 2019 at 11:46 am

    I follow Emile Henry on Instagram with the handle @firerunner2379.

    Reply
  29. Melissa Storms says

    December 18, 2019 at 12:19 pm

    I love onions and mushrooms on pizza.

    Reply
  30. Melissa Storms says

    December 18, 2019 at 12:45 pm

    I am following Emile Henry USA on Instagram

    Reply
  31. Melissa Storms says

    December 18, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    I follow you on Instagram

    Reply
    • Melissa Storms says

      December 18, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      I also commented on this post on Instagram

      Reply
  32. Melissa Storms says

    December 18, 2019 at 12:49 pm

    I shared the giveaway post on FB https://www.facebook.com/melissa.storms.56/posts/10162794030395343

    Reply
  33. Aaron says

    December 18, 2019 at 2:08 pm

    I like mushroom mushroom mushroom pizza!

    Reply
  34. Heather says

    December 18, 2019 at 3:26 pm

    It’s Friday Night Pizza every week for my husband and me. We aren’t too heavy on the cheese, and meat, if any, is usually a fennel seed-chilli sausage or prosciutto, and instead love pies with garlic oil or pesto bases + loads of whichever veg, herbs, even fruit are in season!

    Reply
  35. Heather says

    December 18, 2019 at 3:28 pm

    Like you on IG and commented on this post there.

    Reply
  36. Heather says

    December 18, 2019 at 3:28 pm

    Liked Emile Henry on IG as well!

    Reply
  37. Amy Cooley says

    December 18, 2019 at 6:43 pm

    I’m a veggie pizza lover. I especially have to have banana peppers and mushrooms.

    Reply
  38. Amy Cooley says

    December 18, 2019 at 6:44 pm

    I follow you on IG and left a comment (@amymadduxcooley).

    Reply
  39. Amy Cooley says

    December 18, 2019 at 6:45 pm

    I’m following Emile Henry on IG (@amymadduxcooley).

    Reply
  40. Amy Cooley says

    December 18, 2019 at 6:47 pm

    I shared on FB.

    https://www.facebook.com/1431425887/posts/10222525509993112/

    Reply
  41. Heather says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    I love a good veggie pizza! Peppers, tomatoes, onion, and anything else I have on hand! Your pizza looks amazing!!

    Reply
  42. Heather says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:26 pm

    I commented on your Instagram picture! I also follow you!

    Reply
  43. Heather says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:27 pm

    I already follow Emile Henry on Instagram! Love this!!

    Reply
  44. Heather says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:30 pm

    I shared this to my Facebook page!
    https://www.facebook.com/heather.lynn.353?__tn__=%2CdC-R-R&eid=ARCBNCcG5_YpXvue5DPovmhDb9LSshRSdfEQEXYqxV5vS6n7kbBWv71jtBnQxZtp_NPa_iKDVODthKnB&hc_ref=ARRgmp1R6kxE29_h9xaC-Ir9m4TmcXQNo8kVNWp4z6-Domfj9bmSAiTreLTyWaqzOLY&fref=nf

    Reply
  45. JANY FRY says

    December 18, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    All veggies

    Reply
  46. Alina says

    December 19, 2019 at 9:24 am

    Already follower and commented on this post on IG: alinapicazo

    Reply
  47. Alina says

    December 19, 2019 at 9:25 am

    Already an Emile Henry follower on IG: alinapicazo

    Reply
  48. Sean says

    December 19, 2019 at 9:27 am

    This pizza looks amazing! Following on IG and commented: seanrconn

    Reply
  49. Sean says

    December 19, 2019 at 9:28 am

    Following Emile Henry on IG: seanrconn

    Reply
  50. Stafford says

    December 19, 2019 at 9:31 am

    Would love to have this in my kitchen. Our family LOVES pizza and we have pizza night every Friday.
    IG: brixstaff

    Reply
  51. Stafford says

    December 19, 2019 at 9:32 am

    Love Emile Henry products. Just bought a pie dish a couple of weeks ago.
    IG: brixstaff

    Reply
  52. LynneT says

    December 19, 2019 at 10:08 am

    My favorite pizza toppings are onions, peppers, black olives and sausage.

    Reply
  53. Carrie Luiten says

    December 20, 2019 at 7:06 pm

    Honey is so good drizzled on a cheese pizza with extra red pepper flakes.

    Reply
  54. Carrie Luiten says

    December 20, 2019 at 7:06 pm

    Follow & comment on Instagram

    Reply
  55. Carrie Luiten says

    December 20, 2019 at 7:07 pm

    Follow Emile Henry on Instagram

    Reply
  56. Karen D says

    December 21, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    I like topping with onions, peppers, olives, and mushrooms

    Reply
  57. Karen D says

    December 21, 2019 at 1:28 pm

    karengdelaney follows you and commented

    Reply
  58. Karen D says

    December 21, 2019 at 1:30 pm

    karengdelaney follows Emile Henry

    Reply
  59. Karen D says

    December 21, 2019 at 1:31 pm

    FB share at https://www.facebook.com/karen.g.delaney/posts/10216325038654868

    Reply
  60. Laura M says

    December 21, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    I like tomatoes, basil, and cheese on my pizza!

    Reply
  61. Laura M says

    December 21, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    I follow on Instagram and commented @grops77

    Reply
  62. Laura M says

    December 21, 2019 at 9:22 pm

    I now follow Emily Henry too!

    Reply
  63. Cassandra Christ says

    December 25, 2019 at 7:33 pm

    Love sausage and ham! I’m also one of those people who likes pineapple on my pizza too.

    Reply
  64. Cassandra Christ says

    December 25, 2019 at 7:34 pm

    Did all three bonus entries but for some reason I cannot copy the link to my fb from my phone. You can find it under Cassandra Christ

    Reply
  65. Cassandra Christ says

    December 25, 2019 at 7:50 pm

    Got it! https://www.facebook.com/1565951655/posts/10220751842777024/?d=n

    Reply

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