I love making this Easy Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza when I want bold, sweet-and-spicy flavors in every bite. The savory sausage, creamy ricotta, melty cheese, and drizzle of hot honey create the perfect balance that feels gourmet but is incredibly simple to prepare at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this pizza combines contrasting flavors so beautifully. The richness of the sausage and ricotta pairs perfectly with the sweetness of honey and a touch of heat.
I also appreciate how easy it is to make using store-bought dough. I can have a fresh, homemade pizza on the table without complicated steps.
I find this recipe perfect for casual dinners, game nights, or when I want to impress guests with something that tastes special but doesn’t require much effort.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
8 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup pizza sauce
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt to taste
Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Directions
I start by preheating my oven to 475°F (245°C). If I have a pizza stone, I place it in the oven while it heats.
In a skillet over medium heat, I cook the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. I drain any excess grease and set it aside.
On a lightly floured surface, I roll out the pizza dough to my desired thickness. I transfer it to a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza peel.
I brush a little olive oil over the dough, then spread an even layer of pizza sauce on top, leaving a small border around the edges.
I sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce. Then I add spoonfuls of ricotta across the surface and scatter the cooked sausage over the top.
I bake the pizza for about 10–14 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
While the pizza bakes, I gently warm the honey and mix in red pepper flakes to create hot honey.
Once the pizza is out of the oven, I drizzle the hot honey over the top. I finish with fresh basil if I like, then slice and serve.
Servings and timing
I usually get about 4 servings from this recipe.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10–14 minutes
Total time: About 25–30 minutes
Variations
I sometimes swap the Italian sausage for spicy sausage for even more heat. When I want a smoky twist, I add a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
I also enjoy adding thinly sliced red onion or fresh arugula after baking for extra texture and flavor.
If I prefer a white pizza version, I skip the pizza sauce and brush the dough with olive oil and garlic before adding the cheeses and sausage.
storage/reheating
I store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When reheating, I prefer warming the pizza in a skillet over medium heat to keep the crust crisp. I sometimes use the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8–10 minutes.
I can freeze baked slices for up to 2 months. I reheat them directly from frozen in the oven until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked sausage?
Yes, I can use pre-cooked sausage. I simply slice or crumble it and add it directly to the pizza before baking.
What kind of honey works best?
I prefer using regular clover honey, but any good-quality honey works well for making hot honey.
Can I make this pizza without ricotta?
Yes, I can leave it out or substitute it with goat cheese or additional mozzarella for a different texture.
How do I keep the crust crispy?
I bake the pizza at a high temperature and avoid overloading it with sauce to prevent a soggy crust.
Can I make this ahead of time?
I prepare the sausage and hot honey in advance, but I assemble and bake the pizza just before serving for the best texture.
Conclusion
I love how this Easy Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza delivers bold flavor with very little effort. The combination of savory, creamy, sweet, and spicy elements makes every slice exciting and satisfying. Whenever I want a homemade pizza that feels a little special, this recipe is one I gladly make again and again.
Print
Easy Sausage Ricotta Honey Hot Pizza
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-14 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Description
A bold sweet-and-spicy homemade pizza topped with savory Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and a drizzle of hot honey for a gourmet flavor experience made simple.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Place a pizza stone in the oven if using.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook Italian sausage, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out pizza dough to desired thickness and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza peel.
- Brush dough lightly with olive oil and spread pizza sauce evenly, leaving a small border.
- Sprinkle mozzarella over the sauce. Add spoonfuls of ricotta and scatter cooked sausage evenly on top.
- Bake for 10–14 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- While baking, gently warm honey and mix with red pepper flakes to make hot honey.
- Remove pizza from oven and drizzle with hot honey.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Use spicy sausage for extra heat.
- Add sliced red onion or arugula for additional flavor and texture.
- For a white pizza version, skip the sauce and brush dough with olive oil and garlic.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet or oven to maintain a crispy crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/4 pizza)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
