Pesto Sausage Pizza Recipe

Pesto Sausage Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Be the first to write a review

Rate recipe

Creamy pesto adds flair to this thick crust pizza created by Ann Bridges of Albuquerque, New Mexico. "The homemade crust is so simple," Ann notes. "It also freezes nicely."

[X]

Rate Pesto Sausage Pizza Recipe

Click on stars to rate

Would you make this recipe again?

Write a review

[X]

Pesto Sausage Pizza Recipe

Prep: 50 min. + rising Bake: 30 min.

Yield: 12 Servings

50 30 80

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2 teaspoons sugar
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup fresh basil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 pound bulk Johnsonville® Ground Sausage
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup spaghetti sauce
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons oil, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, for pesto, place basil and garlic in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl. Add cream cheese and remaining oil; beat until smooth. Set aside. In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
Punch dough down. On a floured surface, roll dough into a 15-in. x 10-in. rectangle. Transfer to a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Build up edges slightly.
Spread pesto over crust. Layer with spaghetti sauce, Parmesan cheese, sausage mixture, mushrooms, olives and Monterey Jack cheese. Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Yield: 12 slices.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 slice) equals 370 calories, 20 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 43 mg cholesterol, 714 mg sodium, 34 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 13 g protein.

Originally published as Three-Cheese Pesto Pizza in Country Woman January/February 2002, p42