This sausage-ricotta-pepperoni pizza brings together the best of classic pizzeria flavors with a creamy, savory twist. The bold, spicy sausage and crispy pepperoni balance perfectly against the rich, delicate dollops of fresh ricotta cheese, creating a pizza that¡¯s hearty, luxurious, and absolutely irresistible. Whether you¡¯re making it for a Friday night family dinner or a fun get-together with friends, this homemade pizza is sure to become a new favorite. A golden, chewy crust carries a simple tomato sauce and a generous amount of gooey mozzarella, making every bite a celebration of textures and flavors.
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INGREDIENTS
For the Dough:
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? 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
? 1 teaspoon sugar
? 3/4 cup warm water (about 110¡ãF)
? 2 cups all-purpose flour
? 1 teaspoon salt
? 1 tablespoon olive oil
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For the Toppings:
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? 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
? 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
? 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage (crumbled)
? 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
? 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
? 1 teaspoon dried oregano
? 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
? Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
? Olive oil, for drizzling
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Make the Dough:
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? In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5¨C10 minutes until foamy.
? In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir to form a shaggy dough.
? Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 7¨C8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
? Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
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2. Prepare the Toppings:
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? While the dough is rising, cook the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into small crumbles until browned. Drain excess fat
and set aside.
? Preheat your oven to 475¡ãF (245¡ãC). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven now to preheat.
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3. Assemble the Pizza:
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? Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness (about 12¨C14 inches wide).
? Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or baking sheet lined with parchment paper if not using a stone.
? Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a slight border around the edges.
? Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
? Distribute the crumbled sausage and pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese.
? Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta cheese across the pizza.
? Sprinkle oregano and red pepper flakes over the top.
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4. Bake:
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? Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or place the baking sheet into the oven.
? Bake for 10¨C12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
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5. Finish and Serve:
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? Remove from oven and let cool for a minute.
? Drizzle lightly with olive oil and scatter fresh basil leaves on top.
? Slice and enjoy!
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