If you love combining bold flavors with comforting textures, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Pesto Potato Pizza with Sausage Recipe. It’s a brilliant twist on traditional pizza, showcasing tender sautéed potatoes and savory Italian sausage layered over a vibrant pesto base. The melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses add the perfect gooey finish, while fresh basil brings a burst of herbal brightness. This pizza is a delightful marriage of rustic ingredients that feels both indulgent and surprisingly fresh.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its simple, quality ingredients that each play a crucial role in creating a perfectly balanced slice. Every item is thoughtfully chosen to add layers of flavor, appealing textures, and eye-catching color to your homemade masterpiece.
- Pizza dough: Either store-bought or homemade, it forms the delicious foundation of your pizza with a crisp, chewy crust.
- Olive oil: Adds richness to sauté the potatoes and helps develop their golden color and tender bite.
- Medium potatoes: Thinly sliced for a tender topping that complements the meatiness of the sausage.
- Italian sausage: Casings removed and cooked thoroughly, it delivers savory, spiced character to each bite.
- Pesto: A flavorful, herbaceous spread that replaces traditional tomato sauce with a fresh, aromatic punch.
- Mozzarella cheese: Provides melty, creamy texture that binds the toppings together beautifully.
- Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled on top for a salty, nutty complexity that enhances every mouthful.
- Fresh basil leaves: For garnish, lending a fragrant, green finish that brightens the pizza.
- Salt and pepper: To season the potatoes and sausage, ensuring all flavors shine through.
How to Make Pesto Potato Pizza with Sausage Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Potatoes
First things first, preheat your oven to a sizzling 450°F (230°C). This high temperature ensures a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese. While the oven heats, warm olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add your thinly sliced potatoes, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Sauté until they start turning golden and tender—this step is key to avoid a raw, starchy topping later.
Step 2: Cook the Italian Sausage
Using the same pan, cook the sausage by crumbling it as it browns. This not only intensifies flavor but also creates perfectly bite-sized pieces that distribute evenly over the pizza. Once cooked through, drain any excess fat so the pizza won’t become greasy.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out your pizza dough to your preferred thickness. Whether you like it thin and crispy or thicker and chewy, this step lets you customize your base. Transfer the dough carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza stone to prepare it for toppings.
Step 4: Spread the Pesto and Add Toppings
Generously spread pesto all over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. The vibrant green pesto will act as a flavorful canvas for your toppings. Next, layer the sautéed potatoes and cooked sausage evenly across the pizza to balance every bite.
Step 5: Add Cheeses and Bake
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the toppings. Mozzarella melts to a gooey dream while Parmesan adds a savory, slightly crisp finish. Bake your pizza in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden and the cheese bubbles beautifully.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, scatter fresh basil leaves over the top for a touch of color and fresh herbal aroma. Slice up this delightful creation and get ready to impress with your version of the Pesto Potato Pizza with Sausage Recipe!
How to Serve Pesto Potato Pizza with Sausage Recipe
Garnishes
A few fresh basil leaves aren’t just for looks—they elevate the pizza with a wonderful fragrance and a pop of green against the golden hues. For an extra zing, you can drizzle a bit of good-quality olive oil or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs wonderfully with light, crisp salads such as arugula tossed with lemon vinaigrette or a simple tomato and cucumber salad. Roasted vegetables or even a fresh fruit platter can offer balance and refresh your palate between savory bites.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving slices on wooden boards for a rustic, inviting vibe. Adding small bowls of extra pesto or chili flakes on the side invites your guests to personalize their slices. For a casual gathering, create a pizza bar with complementary toppings and let everyone customize their piece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep the crust from getting soggy, place a paper towel underneath the slices to absorb moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked pizza slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to maintain flavor and texture.
Reheating
The best way to reheat your Pesto Potato Pizza with Sausage Recipe is in a hot oven or toaster oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes. This method restores the crisp crust and melty cheese better than microwaving, which can make it chewy or soggy.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked sausage for this pizza?
Absolutely! You can use pre-cooked sausage to save time, just make sure to crumble it and warm it up slightly before adding it to your pizza.
What type of potatoes work best for the toppings?
Medium-starch potatoes like Yukon Gold are ideal because they hold their shape after sautéing but still become tender and flavorful.
Is homemade pesto better than store-bought?
While homemade pesto offers a fresh, vibrant taste, good-quality store-bought pesto works perfectly and is a fantastic time-saver without sacrificing much flavor.
Can I make this pizza gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the regular pizza dough with your favorite gluten-free pizza crust, and all other ingredients remain the same.
How do I ensure the potatoes cook thoroughly on the pizza?
Sautéing thin potato slices before adding them to the pizza ensures they are tender and slightly golden, preventing any raw or crunchy bite after baking.
Final Thoughts
This Pesto Potato Pizza with Sausage Recipe is truly a showstopper that brings comfort food and gourmet flavor together in one delicious bite. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or simply indulging yourself, this pizza promises satisfaction with every slice. Give it a try and watch how quickly it becomes a household favorite!
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Pesto Potato Pizza with Sausage Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Pesto Potato Pizza with Sausage is a flavorful and satisfying twist on classic pizza. Featuring a crispy crust topped with creamy pesto, tender sautéed potatoes, savory Italian sausage, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this recipe offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes perfect for a casual dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Pizza Base and Sauce
- 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
Toppings
- 2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet or pizza stone with parchment paper to prepare for baking the pizza.
- Sauté the potatoes: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until slightly golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the sausage: In the same pan, crumble and cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until it is browned and cooked through, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
- Prepare the dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer the dough carefully to the prepared baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Spread pesto: Evenly spread the pesto sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Add toppings: Arrange the sautéed potatoes and cooked sausage evenly over the pesto-covered dough.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the toppings.
- Bake the pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, use a pizza stone preheated in the oven.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with a vegetarian sausage if preferred.
- If pesto is homemade, consider using fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil blended together.
- Thinly slice potatoes to ensure they cook quickly and evenly during the sauté step.
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the sausage to avoid a greasy pizza.
- Feel free to add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
