Individual Fennel Sausage, Mushroom, and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza

What is so fun about having homemade pizza parties?! It’s always a big hit in our house! I make a 1 lb. dough ball and then split it into three. So we can all make our own. Or this recipe can be for one 12 inch crust. I use a really good jarred tomato sauce and then mix fennel seeds into the sausage and bake that off, add a few mushrooms and sweet roasted peppers and all the cheese, top with fresh basil leaves. Its really hard for me to stray away from the classic pepperoni but this one will not disappoint!

DID YOU MAKE THIS FENNEL SAUSAGE MUSHROOM AND ROASTED RED PEPPER PIZZA? 

If you loved this fennel sausage mushroom and roasted red pepper pizza recipe I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a comment! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #sunlovekitchen and tagging me @sunlovekitchen.

Ingredients

Fennel Sausage, Mushroom and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza (adjust toppings amounts for the 12 inch pizza)

• 1/4 lb mild Italian Sausage
• 1 tbsp. fennel seeds
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
• 1 roasted red pepper, chopped
• basil leaves for garnish

Pizza Crust

• 2 tsp. dry active yeast
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 cup + 5 tbsp warm water
• 1 1/2 cups “00” flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. kosher salt

Directions

Starting with the dough, in a large bowl mix together the yeast, honey and water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it gets foamy and activated. Then add in the flours and salt. Give it a mix until it all comes together and forms a soft dough ball, about 5 minutes. Then dump it out onto a floured surface and knead the dough for about 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl covered for about 1-1 1/2 hours until it’s doubled in size.

For the sausage, in a small saute pan over medium heat, add the sausage and sprinkle the fennel seeds over the top breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until it’s crumbling and cooked through. Then remove from the heat and set aside.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Once you’re ready to assemble pizzas, cut dough into thirds if making individual pizzas. Lightly dust the pizza stone or pan with a little cornmeal.

Then on a lightly floured surface start to stretch out the dough, to about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Transfer to baking pan and then put on the toppings. Spread a little of the sauce over the top, then the sausage, sprinkle on the mushrooms, and then the cheese and top with the roasted red peppers.

Place in the oven to bake for about 12 minutes, until it’s golden and all melted and delicious. Let cool slightly and garnish with the basil leaves on top. Cut into slices and enjoy!!