Mottolino's Italian Sausage Pizza Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pre-made pizza crust
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Special Equipment Needed:
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Pizza cutter

Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Place pizza crust on pizza stone or baking sheet.
3. Spread tomato sauce evenly over the crust.
4. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. Add cooked Italian sausage, sliced red onion, black olives, and mushrooms on top of the cheese.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.
7. Remove from oven and sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top.
8. Cut into slices with pizza cutter and serve hot.


- Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 12-15 minutes
Temperature:
- 425°F
Serving size:
- 4-6 servings

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 15g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Pre-made pizza crust can be substituted with homemade pizza dough.
- Tomato sauce can be substituted with marinara sauce or pizza sauce.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese can be substituted with any type of cheese.
- Cooked Italian sausage can be substituted with cooked ground beef or turkey.
- Red onion, black olives, and mushrooms can be substituted with any desired toppings.

Variations:
- Add sliced bell peppers or jalapenos for a spicy kick.
- Use a garlic-infused olive oil instead of tomato sauce for a different flavor.
- Substitute Italian sausage with pepperoni or bacon.

Tips and Tricks:
- Preheat the pizza stone or baking sheet before placing the pizza crust on it for a crispy crust.
- Use a pizza cutter to easily cut through the toppings and crust.
- Experiment with different toppings to create your own unique pizza.

Storage Instructions:
- Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating Instructions:
- Reheat leftover pizza in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through.

Presentation Ideas:
- Serve pizza on a wooden cutting board for a rustic look.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color.

Garnishes:
- Fresh basil leaves

Pairings:
- Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Suggested Side Dishes:
- Caesar salad
- Garlic bread
- Roasted vegetables

Troubleshooting Advice:
- If the crust is not crispy enough, try baking the pizza for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Food Safety Advice:
- Make sure the Italian sausage is cooked thoroughly before adding it to the pizza.

Food History:
- Pizza originated in Naples, Italy in the 18th century.

Flavor Profiles:
- Savory, cheesy, and slightly spicy.

Serving Suggestions:
- Serve hot and fresh out of the oven for the best flavor.

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Region: Italian

Taste: Savory, Tangy, Spicy, Cheesy, Meaty