The Best Sheet Pan Pizza Recipe

Introduction

This sheet pan pizza recipe delivers a delicious, easy-to-make meal perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings. Featuring savory homemade sausage and plenty of melty mozzarella, it comes together quickly and bakes evenly on a single pan.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ teaspoons fennel seeds
• ½ pound ground pork
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound room temperature pizza dough
• ½ cup pizza sauce (or to taste)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Grated parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450°F.
2. Step 2: Crush the fennel seeds using a mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, or by placing them in a plastic bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine the ground pork, crushed fennel seeds, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well by hand until evenly incorporated.
4. Step 4: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the sausage mixture. Break it up into small crumbles with a spoon as it cooks. Stir occasionally and cook for 8-10 minutes until no longer pink and lightly browned.
5. Step 5: Drain the cooked sausage on a paper-towel-lined plate to remove excess grease, then set aside.
6. Step 6: Brush a 9×13-inch rimmed baking sheet all over with olive oil.
7. Step 7: Place the pizza dough onto the baking sheet and stretch it evenly to fill the pan. If it resists stretching, let it rest for 5 minutes and then try again.
8. Step 8: Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
10. Step 10: Evenly distribute the cooked sausage crumbles on top of the cheese, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the sausage.
11. Step 11: Sprinkle dried oregano and garlic powder over the top.
12. Step 12: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, until the crust edges are golden and the cheese is melted and golden.
13. Step 13: Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes, then slice and serve with grated parmesan cheese on top.

Tips & Variations

• If you don’t have fennel seeds, you can substitute with Italian seasoning for a different but still delicious flavor.
• For a spicier pizza, add red pepper flakes to the sausage mixture or sprinkle on top before baking.
• Letting the dough rest before stretching helps prevent it from snapping back and makes shaping easier.
• Feel free to add your favorite vegetables like sliced bell peppers or mushrooms for extra toppings.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slices in a skillet over medium heat or bake in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes to keep the crust crisp.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked sausage instead of raw pork?

Yes, you can substitute pre-cooked sausage if you prefer. Just crumble and cook it lightly in a skillet to render some fat and develop flavor before adding it to the pizza.

What type of dough works best for sheet pan pizza?

A sturdy, room temperature pizza dough works best as it’s easier to stretch and holds up well under toppings. You can use store-bought or homemade dough prepared for a thick, chewy crust.

The Best Sheet Pan Pizza Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 108 reviews

This sheet pan pizza recipe offers a delicious and easy way to enjoy homemade pizza with a flavorful sausage topping infused with fennel seeds and aromatic herbs. The pizza is baked on a rimmed sheet pan for a crispy crust and melty cheese, making it perfect for a casual dinner or entertaining guests.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Sausage:

• 1 ½ teaspoons fennel seeds
• ½ pound ground pork
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For Pizza Assembly:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound room temperature pizza dough
• ½ cup pizza sauce (or to taste)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Grated parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F to ensure it’s hot enough to bake the pizza to a perfect golden crust.
2. Prepare the Fennel Seeds: Crush the fennel seeds using a mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, or place them in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin to release their flavor.
3. Make the Sausage Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ground pork, crushed fennel seeds, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly by hand to distribute the seasonings evenly.
4. Cook the Sausage: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage mixture and break it up into crumbles. Cook for 8–10 minutes until there is no pink left and the sausage is lightly browned. Drain on paper towels to remove excess fat.
5. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Brush a 9×13-inch rimmed baking sheet evenly with olive oil to prevent sticking and to help brown the crust.
6. Stretch the Dough: Place the pizza dough on the baking sheet and stretch it evenly to fill the pan. If the dough resists stretching, let it rest for 5 minutes before trying again.
7. Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a ½ inch border. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
8. Add Sausage and More Cheese: Scatter the cooked sausage crumbles evenly over the cheese, then top with the remaining mozzarella.
9. Season and Bake: Sprinkle dried oregano and garlic powder over the top. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until the crust edges are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
10. Cool and Serve: Let the pizza cool on a rack for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with grated parmesan cheese on the side for sprinkling.

Notes

• Allow dough to rest if it is difficult to stretch to avoid tearing.
• Use freshly crushed fennel seeds for the best flavor infusion in the sausage.
• Adjust pizza sauce to taste; you can add more or less depending on preference.
• Drain cooked sausage well to prevent a greasy pizza.
• Let pizza cool slightly before slicing to keep the cheese from sliding off.
• Can be customized by adding vegetables or other toppings of choice.

Keywords: sheet pan pizza, homemade pizza, sausage pizza, easy pizza recipe, one-pan pizza, fennel seed sausage, Italian pizza