Best Spicy Sausage And Gorgonzola Pizza Recipes

CARAMELIZED ONION, SAUSAGE AND BASIL PIZZA

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Sprinkle a heavy baking sheet (without sides) with cornmeal and set aside.
• In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the butter over medium-low heat. Add the onions, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the sausage. Using a wooden spoon, break up the sausage and cook, stirring constantly, until cooked through, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough into a 13-inch diameter circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Spread the onion mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted, about 15 to 17 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped basil. Cut the pizza into wedges and serve.

DEEP-DISH PIZZA WITH SPICY SAUSAGE AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Make the dough. Transfer one 1-pound ball of dough to a 9-inch round cake pan coated with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Cover and let the dough rise again until almost spread to the edges of the pan, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 500˚ F (use the convection setting, if available) with a pizza stone, baking steel or inverted large baking sheet in the lower third of the oven.
• Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon and let drain and cool.
• Press the dough to reach the edge of the pan, then press the dough up the sides to create a lip 1/2 to 3/4 inch higher than the center of the dough. Top with the Parmesan and sliced mozzarella, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Spread the pizza sauce over the cheese, almost to the edge, and top with the sausage, olives and the shredded mozzarella.
• Place the pan on the hot stone and bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and browned in spots, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then loosen the edges with a small offset spatula and remove the pizza to a cutting board. Sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley.
• Sprinkle the yeast over the hot water in a small bowl. Let stand until dissolved and slightly foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk the bread flour, all-purpose flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the yeast mixture into the well and add the olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, dust the dough with flour and knead, dusting with more flour as needed, until very smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide the dough into two 1-pound balls. (If making sheet-pan pizza, let the dough rise, covered, on an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet coated with 3 tablespoons olive oil instead of in a bowl; do not divide into two balls.)
• If not using the dough right away, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before using.
• Combine crushed tomatoes, garlic clove, olive oil, dried oregano and a pinch each of sugar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl; season with more salt and sugar if needed. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

HOT SAUSAGE CAST-IRON SKILLET PAN PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 525 to 550 degrees F, as high as it goes, with rack at center. Preheat cast-iron skillet, 10 to 12 inches, over medium-high heat. Preheat a second smaller cast-iron or other skillet over medium-high heat for the sausage.
• Gather your ingredients.
• In a food processor, whizz up sauce: tomatoes, paste, garlic, oregano, sugar, salt and a few leaves of basil.
• Stretch dough into an even round that will cover large skillet.
• Drizzle a little EVOO in smaller skillet. Cut sausage from casing, add to pan and lightly brown and crumble. Turn pan off.
• Sprinkle a little cornmeal and flour in larger skillet and press dough into and up sides as much as possible. The pan is hot -- reminder. Brush the dough with EVOO and season with a little salt and pepper or red pepper flakes. Top the dough with the sauce and sausage, scatter the cheeses over the sausage and place in oven.
• To the sausage skillet, add a little water, honey and chili paste and stir to combine (reheat your pan if it's not warm enough to heat the honey).
• Bake the pizza 15 minutes to deep golden brown and bubbly. Drizzle or brush the pizza with the chili honey mixture and top with torn basil.
• To a mixer with dough hook attached, add warm water and yeast and let the yeast bloom and foam, 5 minutes.
• Add EVOO, honey and salt and turn on mixer. Add the flour gradually to form dough. Transfer to a bowl drizzled with a little EVOO and cover; let stand 1 hour.
• Cut dough in half; wrap half the dough and freeze for later use.
• Using a mandoline or very sharp knife, thinly slice the fennel and the red onion and place in a bowl. Add juice of orange and lemon and season with salt and pepper. Pit olives and coarsely chop; add to bowl. Add capers and arugula or kale. When ready to serve, add EVOO, 2 slow turns of the bowl, toss and serve.