Sometimes I get so excited to eat what I’ve created that I forget the finishing touches. Halfway through devouring this cheesy delightful pizza I realized I forgot to add the fresh basil. Such a shame. So I surreptitiously sprinkled some on top, after the pizza had cooled. Not the same, but better late than never. Don’t forget the basil (especially if you buy a 3$ bunch of it just for this occasion). It makes it this pizza marvelous (and particularly beautiful).

I have to tell you. Tomorrow we leave for a Christmas vacation. We’re on break from school for the next few weeks and so we’re heading to Oregon to spend the holidays with Dustin’s family. We’re quite excited because it’s been almost 2 years since we made the trip. But this does mean that I won’t be in my kitchen… for 2 weeks! We barely left last night (staying with my parents in DC today) and I’m already experiencing separation anxiety. In theory, I’m looking forward to a break from cooking, but I know I’m going to miss it very much. I’ve saved a few recipes to share, but my posts may come a little less often until I’m back and caught up.

Feeling sad about the impending separation? Need a comforting slice of cheesy pizza to cheer you up? This recipe will do. It combines classic pork sausage and fresh sauteed veggies for a pizza supreme. It’s cheesy, rather greasy, and livened up with fresh cut basil (if you don’t forget it!). Make sure to visit the link below for instructions on making the perfect pizza crust. It’s my most-utilized recipe on this site.

Sausage, Mushroom, and Pepper Pizza

INGREDIENTS

1 recipe pizza dough
6-8 oz. sweet or spicy Italian pork sausage
1 cup onion, thinly sliced (I used 1/2 of a large white onion)
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
8 oz. mushroom mix (I used half cremini and half skitake), cleaned and quartered
salt and pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
about 1 cup pizza/marinara sauce
about 2 cups mozzarella cheese
fresh basil, julienned

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare pizza dough according to recipe directions.

2. Preheat oven to 450 F.

3. Remove casings from sausage and cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Add onion, pepper, and mushrooms and saute until tender (about 8 minutes). Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and set aside.

4. Once the crust is prepared, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the crust. Top evenly with the sausage and mushroom mixture. Sprinkle with desired amount of cheese.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh basil, and serve.

Makes 1 large pizza.

(Adapted from Cooking Light)