Patrick Oconnell
Sausage is a popular pizza topping, but where it should be placed on a pizza is a matter of debate. Some people prefer to put raw sausage on top of the cheese, while others believe it should go under the cheese to prevent it from drying out. The type of oven used can also be a factor, as putting the sausage under the cheese can protect it from the direct heat of a deck oven. Ultimately, the decision may come down to personal preference, regional traditions, and the desired appearance and flavour of the pizza.
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What You'll Learn
Sausage pizza recipes
Sausage makes for a versatile pizza topping, adding distinct flavours and aromas to the dish. It can be used as slices, meatballs, crumbles, or ground up. Sausage pizza is also a great way to increase the protein content of your meal.
When it comes to placing the sausage, there are differing opinions on whether it should go over or under the cheese. Some sources suggest that in Chicago, the sausage goes under the cheese, while others state that it is placed on top. Ultimately, it may depend on the type of oven being used, as one source mentions that they place the sausage under the cheese in a conveyor oven to prevent it from drying out, but would put it on top of the cheese in a deck oven since the heat comes mostly from below.
Now, let's dive into some mouth-watering sausage pizza recipes:
Spicy Sausage Pizza
This recipe by Nick from Simply Recipes is all about keeping it simple yet flavourful. Start by preparing your favourite pizza dough—Nick recommends a No-Knead Pizza Dough, which can be made a day in advance. For the toppings, spread a light coating of sauce on the dough, followed by enough cheese to cover it without creating a pile. The star of the show, the spicy Italian sausage, should be torn into tiny meatballs to ensure even cooking. Sprinkle on some salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the sausage is cooked. For an extra punch of flavour, garnish with fresh basil and serve with a hot honey dip.
Italian Sausage Pizza with Pesto and Red Sauce
Peggy Paul Casella from Thursday Night Pizza takes Italian sausage pizza to the next level by adding pesto to the classic combination of Italian sausage, red sauce, and cheese. The key to this recipe is using alternating swirls of pesto and red sauce as the base layer to ensure that each slice has a perfect balance of flavours. You can opt for mild or hot Italian sausage, depending on your preference. Freshly made sauce and pesto will elevate the taste, but store-bought options can also be used for convenience. Don't skimp on the cheese—use shredded low-moisture mozzarella for that classic pizzeria taste.
Sweet Sausage and Onion White Pizza
This recipe is a must-try for fans of white pizza. It features a light and fluffy ricotta base, complemented by the delicate flavours of sweet Italian sausage and caramelized onions. The addition of ground nutmeg and a parsley garnish brightens up the pie with a touch of freshness. Follow the standard procedure for preparing the dough and cooking the sausage. For the full recipe, refer to Premio Foods.
Jamie Oliver's Speedy Sausage Pizza
If you're short on time, Jamie Oliver's speedy sausage pizza is the answer. Start by preparing the dough with flour, a pinch of salt, and water. Roll and stretch it into a large oval, then set it aside. Squeeze balls of sausage meat out of their skins into a pan and fry until golden. Finely slice a red onion and toss it with rosemary, a pinch of salt and pepper, and oil. Spread tomato paste over the dough, sprinkle the dressed onion, and spoon on the sausage balls. Add grapes to the pan for a minute, then spoon them onto the pizza along with any juices. Tear mozzarella over the pizza and sprinkle with pine nuts. Cook on high heat until sizzling, then bake at the bottom of the oven for about 10 minutes or until golden and crisp.
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Cooking sausage for pizza
Pizza is a versatile dish that can be made in a variety of ways to cater to different tastes and preferences. Sausage is a popular topping that can elevate the flavor and protein content of a pizza. Here are some tips and suggestions for cooking sausage for pizza:
Choosing the Right Sausage
Sausage comes in various shapes, sizes, and flavors. For pizza toppings, you can opt for sliced sausage links, sausage crumbles, ground sausage, or sausage patties. Sliced sausage links are similar in shape to pepperoni and provide an even distribution of meat across the pizza. Sausage crumbles and ground sausage are quick and easy options that can be sprinkled over the pizza. Sausage patties can be broken apart like crumbles or kept in larger pieces, resembling meatballs.
Cooking the Sausage
When cooking sausage for pizza, there are a few methods you can use:
- Baking Steel Method: Preheat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes to an hour with a Baking Steel on the top rack. Prepare your pizza dough and toppings, including floured sausage, and bake until your desired level of doneness is achieved.
- Pan-Frying: Place a pan over medium-high heat and cook the sausage until it is browned. For sausage crumbles, slice open the casing and remove the meat before frying. Use a spatula to break up the meat into crumbles as it cooks.
- Skillet Cooking: Cook raw ground sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat. Break apart the sausage into bite-sized chunks as it cooks. Drain the cooked sausage on a paper towel-lined plate before adding it to your pizza.
Placement of Sausage on the Pizza
The placement of sausage on a pizza depends on the type of pizza and personal preference. In Chicago, it is common to place raw sausage under the cheese, especially for thin-crust pizzas baked in a reel oven. This helps prevent the sausage from drying out. However, in a deck oven, the sausage can be placed on top of the cheese since the heat comes mostly from below. For "Upside-Down" pizzas or Tomato Pies, all the toppings, including meat, are placed on top of the cheese and sauce.
Flavor and Spice Options
Sausage offers a range of flavor options to suit different tastes. Hot Italian sausage is perfect for those who like their pizza spicy, while sweet Italian sausage adds a touch of sweetness to balance salty ingredients. Mild Italian sausage is a great option for those who prefer a less intense flavor. You can also experiment with different herbs, spices, and seasonings to create your own unique sausage blend.
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Raw vs cooked sausage
There are valid arguments for both using raw and cooked sausage on pizza. Using raw sausage can be a convenient option if you're short on time or don't feel like cooking it before adding it to your pizza. Raw sausage can also add a rich, meaty flavor that's hard to replicate with cooked sausage. However, the primary concern with using raw sausage is food safety.
To minimize the risk of foodborne illness when using raw sausage, it's crucial to follow proper food safety guidelines. This includes handling raw sausage with clean hands and utensils and storing it in a sealed container at a temperature of 40°F (4°C) or below. When cooking the pizza, it's essential to ensure that the sausage reaches an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) to ensure food safety.
On the other hand, pre-cooking sausage before adding it to pizza has several benefits. It guarantees that the sausage will be safe to eat and prevents the risk of a burnt pizza crust due to extended cooking times. Pre-cooking also allows excess fat to drain off, resulting in a crisper crust and preventing the grease from soaking into other toppings.
Some argue that pre-cooked sausage can end up bland and mushy, while raw sausage provides unbeatable flavor, moisture, and texture. The high oven heat can crisp and char raw sausage, enhancing the flavors that develop during cooking. However, it's important to note that cooking raw sausage on pizza requires longer cooking times, which can be a challenge when aiming for a crispy crust.
Ultimately, the decision to use raw or cooked sausage on pizza depends on personal preference and the specific circumstances. Both options can result in a delicious and safe pizza if proper food safety guidelines are followed when using raw sausage, and if the sausage is thoroughly cooked before or during the pizza cooking process.
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How to cut sausage for pizza
Sausage is a versatile pizza topping that can be cooked in many ways. You can use slices of sausage, sausage crumbles, or ground sausage.
If you want to use sausage slices, you should cook the sausage link first and then slice it. It is important to avoid piercing the skin when slicing to retain the juices and create a more flavoursome bite. You can also use cooked sausage crumbles as a topping. To prepare these, slice the casing from top to bottom and remove the meat. Fry the meat in a pan over medium-high heat, breaking it up into crumbles as it browns. Once the meat is fully cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to your pizza.
If you are looking for a quicker option, ground sausage is a good alternative. Simply throw your raw ground meat into a heated skillet and break it apart into bite-sized chunks with a spatula. Once the meat is firm and has stopped releasing liquid, sprinkle it over your pizza.
Some people prefer to use raw sausage on their pizzas. Before placing the raw sausage on the dough, you can roll it in flour to promote browning. However, if you are using raw sausage, it is important to ensure that it is thoroughly cooked, especially if it is placed under the cheese.
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Sausage pizza dough
Sausage pizza is a versatile dish that can be made in several ways, depending on your preferences. You can use different types of sausages, such as sweet Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, or ground turkey sausage. Additionally, you can choose to place the sausage over or under the cheese, depending on the style of pizza and your desired cooking method.
When it comes to preparing the sausage for pizza, you have a few options. You can use sausage slices, which provide a similar shape to pepperoni and distribute the sausage evenly across the pizza. To prepare sausage slices, cook the sausage links and then slice them into your desired sizes without piercing the skin to retain juices. Another option is to create sausage crumbles or ground sausage. To do this, slice open the casing, remove the meat, and fry it in a pan over medium-high heat until it is fully cooked. You can also add other ingredients, such as onions, garlic, peppers, or mushrooms, to enhance the flavor of the sausage.
Now, let's discuss the placement of sausage in relation to the cheese. There are a few schools of thought on this matter. Some people prefer to place the sausage under the cheese, especially for thin-crust pizzas or when using a conveyor oven, to prevent the sausage from drying out. This is a common practice in Chicago-style pizzas. However, if you are using a deck oven, you might consider placing the sausage on top of the cheese since the heat comes mostly from below, ensuring the sausage cooks thoroughly. Additionally, placing the sausage on top allows your guests to see the amount of sausage on the pizza, which can be important if you want to showcase your generous portions.
On the other hand, some people prefer to put the sausage on top of the cheese, especially if they are making an "Upside Down Pizza" or a Tomato Pie. This creates a visually appealing presentation and ensures that the sausage is cooked through, as it is one of the topmost ingredients. Ultimately, the decision of whether to put sausage over or under the cheese depends on the type of pizza you are making, the cooking method, and your personal preference for the appearance and taste of the final product.
If you're looking for a creative way to use sausage and pizza dough, you might want to try making sausage bread. This dish involves rolling ground sausage inside pizza dough and baking it. You can add other ingredients such as mozzarella cheese, eggs, and spices to create a flavorful and hearty loaf. Sausage bread is a fun twist on traditional pizza and can be a great option for a family meal or gathering.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of pizza you are making. For a stuffed pizza, the sausage goes under the cheese. For a classic deep-dish pizza, the sausage goes on top of the cheese. For a thin-crust pizza, the sausage can go on top or under the cheese, depending on personal preference.
Putting sausage under the cheese can help to prevent the sausage from drying out, especially if using a conveyor oven. It can also create a more uniform appearance, with the sausage peeking through the cheese.
Putting sausage over the cheese allows people to see how much sausage is on the pizza, which can be important for customers who expect a lot of toppings. It also ensures that the sausage gets direct heat, which can enhance its flavor and appearance.
There are many ways to make a delicious sausage pizza. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Chicago deep-dish pizza with sweet Italian sausage, San Marzano tomatoes, and three types of cheese.
- Sweet sausage and onion white pizza with ricotta, caramelized onions, nutmeg, and parsley.
- Pizza with hot Italian sausage, peppers, and onions, doused in a tasty red sauce.
