Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This pizza offers a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and sweet flavors. It is easy to assemble, uses accessible ingredients, and produces consistently impressive results. The hot honey elevates the dish while the ricotta softens the spice.
Easy Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza: Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistibly Cheesy
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 pizza (4 slices)
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Easy Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza is a sweet-and-spicy homemade pizza topped with savory sausage, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and finished with a drizzle of hot honey.
Ingredients
- 1 prepared pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 oz Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons hot honey
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat.
- Roll or stretch the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Transfer dough to parchment paper and brush lightly with olive oil.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Add cooked sausage and dollops of ricotta across the pizza.
- Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Transfer pizza to the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from oven and drizzle with hot honey.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Use spicy Italian sausage for extra heat.
- Whole-milk ricotta provides the creamiest texture.
- Hot honey can be adjusted to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Pizza Dough
Pizza dough forms the foundation of the recipe. A well-rested dough bakes into a crisp yet chewy crust that supports the toppings.
Italian Sausage
Italian sausage provides bold, savory flavor. Its seasoning pairs exceptionally well with both ricotta and honey.
Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta adds a creamy, mild contrast that balances the spice of the sausage.
Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella ensures proper melt and creates the classic stretchy texture associated with pizza.
Olive Oil
Olive oil enhances the crust and helps achieve even browning during baking.
Red Pepper Flakes
Red pepper flakes intensify the heat and reinforce the spicy profile.
Hot Honey
Hot honey delivers sweetness with a subtle kick, bringing the entire pizza together.
Salt
Salt enhances the dough and toppings, ensuring balanced flavor throughout.
Black Pepper
Black pepper adds gentle warmth and depth.
Fresh Basil
Fresh basil provides aroma and freshness when added after baking.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 245°C and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat. Roll or stretch the pizza dough into a thin round and transfer it to parchment paper. Lightly brush the surface with olive oil.
Cook the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat and set aside. Spread an even layer of mozzarella cheese over the dough, followed by small dollops of ricotta spaced evenly across the surface.
Distribute the cooked sausage over the pizza, then season lightly with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated stone or baking sheet.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling. Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with fresh basil before slicing and serving.
Equipment needed
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
Full-Size Blender – is a powerful kitchen appliance for making smoothies, soups, and sauces in large batches.
3-in-1 Air Fryer – This versatile 3-in-1 air fryer offers Air Fry for healthier meals with less oil, Bake for bakery-quality desserts and treats, and Reheat to bring leftovers back to life with crispy, flavorful results
Servings and Timing
This recipe serves 4 people.
Preparation time is approximately 15 minutes.
Cooking time is 12 minutes.
Total time required is about 27 minutes.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven at 190°C until warmed through. Avoid microwaving to preserve crust texture.
Variations and Customizations
This pizza is highly adaptable and works well with different flavor preferences. For a milder version, use sweet Italian sausage and reduce the red pepper flakes. If you prefer extra heat, add sliced chili peppers or increase the hot honey drizzle.
You can substitute part-skim ricotta for a lighter texture or mix ricotta with a small amount of garlic for added depth. I tested this version with garlic-infused ricotta, and it enhanced the savory notes without overpowering the sweetness.
For added texture, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the pizza before baking. You can also experiment with different doughs, such as whole wheat or sourdough, to vary the crust flavor while keeping the toppings consistent.
Nutrition and Dietary Info
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 610 kcal |
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 55 g |
| Fat | 32 g |
| Saturated Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1,120 mg |
Expert Tips & Customizations
High-Heat Baking
Bake at a high temperature to achieve a crisp crust and properly melted cheese.
Ricotta Distribution
Use small dollops of ricotta to prevent soggy areas.
Balanced Sweetness
Drizzle hot honey lightly and add more to taste after slicing.
Fresh Garnish
Add basil after baking to preserve its aroma and color.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, store-bought dough works very well for this recipe.
Is hot honey necessary?
Hot honey is recommended for balance, but regular honey with chili flakes can be substituted.
Can I make this pizza vegetarian?
Yes, omit the sausage and add roasted vegetables instead.
What sausage works best?
Italian sausage, either mild or spicy, produces the best flavor.
Can I bake this without a pizza stone?
Yes, a preheated baking sheet works effectively.
How do I prevent soggy pizza?
Avoid overloading toppings and bake at a high temperature.
Conclusion
Easy Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza is a well-balanced, flavorful recipe that transforms simple ingredients into an exciting homemade meal. With its combination of creamy cheese, savory sausage, and sweet heat, this pizza is an excellent choice for both casual dinners and special occasions.
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