Description

This Spicy Sausage and Pepperoncini Thin Crust Pizza offers a deliciously tangy and savory flavor combination with a perfectly crispy crust. Featuring crumbled Italian sausage, zesty pepperoncini peppers, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this quick and easy homemade pizza is baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh basil for a burst of freshness. Ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or casual meal, it balances spice, tang, and cheesy goodness in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough and Base

1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Toppings

1/2 lb Italian sausage, crumbled
1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)

Garnish

1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Roll out your store-bought or homemade pizza dough on a floured surface to a thin layer as desired. Transfer the dough to a pizza stone or to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbled Italian sausage and cook it while breaking apart with a spoon until it is browned and cooked through, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare Dough for Toppings: Brush the pizza dough with a thin layer of olive oil and evenly sprinkle garlic powder across the surface to infuse flavor into the crust.
Add Toppings: Evenly distribute the cooked sausage over the pizza dough, then add the sliced pepperoncini peppers on top.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese followed by grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the toppings.
Bake the Pizza: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp and the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
Cool and Slice: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for a minute to let flavors settle before slicing.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves if desired, then slice and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

For a crispier crust, use a pizza stone preheated in the oven.
If you prefer less spice, omit the crushed red pepper flakes or reduce the amount of pepperoncini peppers.
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container and reheat in a skillet or oven to maintain crispiness.
Fresh basil adds a nice fresh herbaceous contrast, but it can be omitted if unavailable.