Make pizza night memorable with this sausage and pesto pizza. Spicy or mild Italian sausage pairs with sweet caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and gooey mozzarella for a homemade pie the whole family will love. Use your favorite pizza dough—homemade or store-bought—and a good-quality pesto to keep things simple and flavorful.
How This Sausage and Pesto Pizza Became a Family Favorite
The first time I tasted this combination was at a Pampered Chef gathering where someone assembled and baked the pizza for a group of friends. I remember thinking it was one of the best pizzas I’d ever had—so much so that I started making it regularly for family dinners.
My kids began to request it for birthday meals, and I still reach for the same stoneware pizza pans I bought years ago. The balance of herbaceous pesto, savory sausage, and sweet caramelized onions makes this pizza both comforting and a little special—perfect for casual weeknights or a cozy weekend meal.
Homemade Italian Sausage Pizza
Yield: 8 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Add pizzazz to pizza night with this Italian sausage and pesto pizza. Loaded with savory sausage, sweet caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and melted cheese, it’s easy to assemble and always a hit. Use a pre-made crust or roll out your favorite dough—either way, the flavors shine.
Ingredients
- Pizza dough for 1 pizza crust
- 1/4 cup pesto sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, to taste)
- 1 medium onion
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or your preferred cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a pizza stone, stoneware pan, or baking sheet.
- Prepare the dough. Press or roll the dough evenly over the pan to form the crust.
- Cook the Italian sausage. Remove casings and brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
- Caramelize the onions. Thinly slice the onion. Melt about 1/4 cup butter in a skillet over medium heat, add the onions, and cook until softened. Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer about 5 minutes until lightly browned. Add a little more butter if needed for richness.
- Sauté the mushrooms. Clean and slice the mushrooms, then sauté in about 2 tablespoons of butter until tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare remaining toppings. Dice sun-dried tomatoes and grate the mozzarella or preferred cheese.
- Assemble the pizza using the following layering order for best results:
- Pesto sauce spread evenly over the crust
- Caramelized onions
- Cooked Italian sausage
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake for 20–30 minutes, or until the crust turns golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted. To check doneness, gently lift the crust edge—underneath it should be lightly browned.
- Slice and serve with a pizza cutter. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing to keep the toppings in place.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 8 slices • Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount per serving (approximate):
- Calories: 334
- Total Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Cholesterol: 48mg
- Sodium: 644mg
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 17g
Ingredients you’ll need for this pizza with Italian sausage
Refer to the recipe card above for exact quantities and times.
- Pizza dough: Use your preferred dough—homemade, store-bought, or bakery-ready. Any of these work well depending on how much time you have.
- Pesto sauce: A good-quality pesto (store-bought or homemade) gives this pizza its bright, herb-forward base.
- Italian sausage: Choose mild or spicy depending on your family’s taste; both pair nicely with the other toppings.
- Caramelized onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and soft texture that complements the savory sausage.
- Sautéed mushrooms: Provide earthiness and moisture—cook them until tender.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Use diced sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for a concentrated burst of flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully; you can add a little Parmesan or Pecorino for extra savory depth.
Step-by-step tips and layering
Prep your toppings before rolling out the dough so assembly is quick. Spread the pesto first, then add the caramelized onions, followed by the cooked sausage, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and finish with cheese. Baking at a hot temperature helps the crust crisp while melting the cheese evenly.
-
Layer 1: Pesto -
Layer 2: Caramelized onions -
Layer 3: Browned Italian sausage
-
Layer 4: Sautéed mushrooms -
Layer 5: Sun-dried tomatoes -
Layer 6: Shredded mozzarella
Slice with a pizza wheel and serve immediately. This pizza pairs well with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or a bowl of soup for a satisfying meal.
Delicious and versatile—this sausage and pesto pizza is a reliable crowd-pleaser that’s easy to adapt to what you have on hand.
Helpful kitchen tools for this recipe
Useful tools include a pizza stone or stoneware pan for a crisp crust and a sharp pizza cutter for clean slices. A good skillet for browning sausage and a small pan for caramelizing onions will make prep straightforward.
More main-dish recipes your family will love
- Tator Tot Casserole
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Upside-down Cheeseburgers
- Hamburger Steak
- Creamy Tortellini Soup with Sausage & Spinach
Share your results
If you make this recipe, leave a comment or share a photo on social media and tag the recipe author.
Pin this to find it later!
