Spicy Italian Pizza Recipe
Pepperoni, sausage, red pepper flakes, buffalo sauce.
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Ingredients
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Dough
Sauces & Spread
Cheese & Toppings
Finish & Garnish
Method
Dough
- 1
Activate yeast
In a small bowl, stir the warm water (about 105–115°F / 40–46°C) with sugar and sprinkle the active dry yeast on top. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- 2
Make dough
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the foamy yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- 3
Knead
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, knead with a stand mixer using the dough hook for 4–5 minutes.
- 4
Sauces & Spread
- 5
Prepare sauce
In a small bowl, combine the tomato pizza sauce with minced garlic, 1 tablespoon buffalo sauce, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust heat—this mixture balances tangy tomato with buffalo spice.
Cheese & Toppings
- 6
Cook sausage
If your Italian sausage is raw, remove casings and cook in a skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Break into small crumbles and drain on paper towels. If pre-cooked, warm briefly.
- 7
Preheat oven and prepare pan
Place a pizza stone in the oven (if using) and preheat to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes. If using a baking sheet, oil it lightly and preheat oven to 475–500°F (245–260°C).
- 8
Shape dough
Punch down the risen dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Stretch or roll into a 12–14 inch round (or to your preferred thickness). Transfer to a pizza peel dusted with flour/cornmeal or to the prepared baking sheet.
- 9
Assemble pizza
Brush the dough edge lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread the prepared tomato-buffalo sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella over the sauce. Distribute crumbled cooked sausage evenly, then arrange pepperoni slices on top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan over the pizza.
Bake & Finish
- 10
Bake
Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake 8–12 minutes at 500°F (260°C) or 10–14 minutes at 475°F (245°C), until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
- 11
Finish with buffalo and garnish
Remove pizza from oven. Immediately drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce over the hot pizza in a thin zigzag. Sprinkle the extra 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to taste. Scatter fresh basil leaves on top.
- 12
Rest and slice
Let the pizza rest 3–5 minutes to set the cheese, then slice into 8 pieces and serve hot.