Italian Sausage Pizza with Arugula & Parmesan

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 15 min  |  Cook Time: 15 min  |  Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup San Marzano tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• ½ Tbsp garlic
• 8 oz Larry’s Italian sausage
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1½ cups fresh arugula
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Sea salt & black pepper to taste

 

Classic Homemade Pizza Dough

Yields: 1 large 12″ pizza

Prep Time: 15 min  |  Rise Time: 1 hr  |  Cook Time: 12–15 min

Ingredients

• 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• ¾ cup warm water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

 

Instructions

Make Dough:

1. Activate yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix dough: In a large bowl, whisk flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead: Transfer to a floured surface and knead 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Rise: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Shape: Punch down dough, roll out to desired thickness, and add toppings as desired.

Assemble Pizza:

1. Preheat the oven to 475°F. If you have a pizza stone, place it in to heat.
2. Cook the sausage: Slice the sausage. In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, cook until browned and fully cooked.
3. Prepare the crust: Roll out dough to a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or preheated stone.
4. Assemble: Mix tomatoes, garlic, and oregano. Spread on dough, then top with sausage, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
5. Bake: Cook at 475°F for 12–15 minutes until golden and crisp.
6. Finish: Remove from oven. Top with arugula, drizzle olive oil, sprinkle red pepper flakes, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
7. Slice and serve immediately!

Chef Jennie Tip: Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving for a restaurant-style finish.

 

Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Italian Sausage Pizza

Prep Time: 20 min  |  Cook Time: 15 min  |  Total Time: 35 min

Ingredients

• 1 gluten-free pizza crust (store-bought or homemade — cauliflower works great)
• 1 cup San Marzano tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• ½ Tbsp garlic
• 8 oz Larry’s Gluten Free Italian sausage
• 1½ cups dairy-free shredded mozzarella-style cheese (Violife or Miyoko’s)
• ¼ cup dairy-free Parmesan-style shreds (Follow Your Heart)
• 1½ cups fresh arugula
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Sea salt & black pepper to taste

 

Gluten-Free Homemade Pizza Dough

Yields: 1 large 12” pizza

Prep Time: 15 min  |  Rise Time: 30 min  |  Cook Time: 12–15 min

Ingredients

• 2¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
• ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 1 tsp sugar or honey
• 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• Optional: 1 tsp Italian herbs or garlic powder

 

Instructions

1. Activate yeast: In a measuring cup, mix warm water, sugar (or honey), and yeast. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine gluten-free flour, salt, and herbs if using.
3. Add liquids: Stir in the yeast mixture, olive oil, and vinegar. Dough will be sticky—more like batter than traditional dough.
4. Rise: Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes in a warm spot.
5. Shape: Spread dough onto a parchment-lined pan using oiled hands or a spatula to form a 12-inch circle. (It will be sticky; use a little extra flour if needed.)
6. Prebake: Bake at 425°F for 10 minutes.
7. Top & bake: Add sauce, sausage, and toppings, then bake an additional 10–12 minutes until crisp around the edges.

 

Assemble Pizza

1. Preheat: Heat the oven to 475°F. If using a pizza stone, place it in to preheat.
2. Cook the sausage: Slice sausage and cook in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through.
3. Prepare the crust: If using store-bought crust, place it on a parchment-lined sheet or preheated stone.
4. Assemble: Mix tomatoes, garlic, and oregano. Spread sauce over crust and top with sausage, mozzarella-style cheese, and Parmesan-style shreds.
5. Bake: Bake 12–15 minutes until golden and crisp.
6. Finish: Top with arugula, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle red pepper flakes, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
7. Slice & serve immediately!

Chef’s Tip: Add roasted cherry tomatoes or caramelized onions for extra flavor.