ITALIAN SAUSAGE BREAD PIZZA

Italian Sausage Bread Pizza image

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Entree

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb bulk mild or spicy Italian pork sausage
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, halved, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup pizza sauce or tomato pasta sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 loaf French bread (about 14 inches long)
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Heat oven to 425°F. Lightly spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray.
In 12-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Push sausage to edges of skillet; add 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add onion and garlic; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened. Remove from heat; stir in pizza sauce, oregano, pepper flakes and salt.
With serrated knife, cut bread in half lengthwise; scoop out center of each bread half, leaving 1/2-inch border (discard removed bread or reserve for making bread crumbs). Place bread halves on cookie sheet. Spread 1/3 cup of the ricotta cheese down center of each; top evenly with sausage mixture, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle loaves with remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
Bake 6 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Cut into slices. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 399, Carbohydrate 21 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1185 mg