Turn pizza night into a wholesome family dinner with this easy and delicious sausage sourdough pizza recipe. The sourdough crust is simple to prepare, requires minimal hands-on time, and brings a tangy flavor that families love. Using fed sourdough starter for the crust makes this a convenient way to use up discard and enjoy a gut-friendly base loaded with natural fermentation flavor.
We enjoy pizza nights that are quick to pull together and pleasing for everyone at the table. This sourdough pizza crust takes under 20 minutes to assemble and can be customized endlessly with toppings. The recipe below focuses on a savory sausage-and-pepper combination, but you can change the sauce, cheese, or vegetables to suit your household.
Why You’ll Love It
- Sourdough benefits: A crust made with active sourdough starter offers a pleasant tang and may be easier on digestion than conventional yeast doughs.
- Fast and fuss-free: This method uses straight starter and requires no lengthy rising time, so you can have a crust ready in about 20 minutes.
- Fully customizable: Swap cheeses, sauces, or toppings to create vegetarian, classic cheese, or meat-lover variations — the base works with them all.
Ingredients
- Sourdough starter: 2 cups fed sourdough starter (use discard if desired)
- Avocado oil or olive oil: a drizzle to coat the skillet and finish the crust
- Italian seasoning: 2 teaspoons for the crust
- Salt: to taste
- Marinara or pizza sauce: enough to spread over the crust
- Cheese: shredded mozzarella or a pizza cheese blend
- Sausage: about 1 pound, browned and seasoned
- Vegetables: diced onion and bell pepper are suggested
- Equipment: 12-inch cast iron skillet or a pizza stone
How to Make Sausage Sourdough Pizza
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) with a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a pizza stone placed inside as it heats. Preheating the surface helps prevent sticking and gives the crust a crisp bottom.
Step 1: Carefully remove the preheated skillet or stone from the oven (use oven mitts). Add a light drizzle of oil and pour the fed sourdough starter into the hot surface, spreading it gently into an even round.
Step 2: Drizzle a bit more oil over the top of the crust and sprinkle with salt and Italian seasoning. Return to the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until the crust is set and beginning to crisp.
Step 3: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven and spread an even layer of marinara or pizza sauce over it.
Step 4: Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese across the surface.
Step 5: Brown the sausage in a separate skillet, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Season the meat to taste.
Step 6: Top the pizza with the cooked sausage, diced onion, and bell pepper. Bake in the oven until the cheese is fully melted and the toppings are hot, about 8–12 minutes.
Expert Tips
- The straight sourdough starter will be sticky. Use a preheated cast iron skillet or pizza stone to minimize sticking and help the crust crisp properly.
- Preheating the skillet or stone is essential — it creates a hot surface that cooks the starter quickly and prevents it from adhering to the pan.
- If the crust spreads too thin while transferring, a quick splash of oil on your hands or a spatula will help shape it without tearing.
How to Make Homemade Pizza Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork (or beef or turkey)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons coconut sugar (or a small pinch of sugar)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Add the ground meat to a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Sprinkle the spices over the meat and cook, stirring and breaking the meat into small pieces, until fully browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if desired and season to taste.
Alternative Pizza Toppings
Homemade pizza is the perfect canvas. Try spinach and tomatoes for a veggie-forward pie, mushrooms and olives for a classic flavor, or add pepperoni and extra cheese for a meat-lovers version. If you prefer a milder pie for kids, omit the red pepper flakes and use milder sausage or simply a cheese pizza with a side of vegetables.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Because the crust is made from sourdough starter, it has a noticeable but pleasant tang compared with a standard yeast crust. The flavor is typically balanced by sauce, cheese, and toppings.
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a toaster oven or conventional oven to help restore crispness.
Notes and Variations
- If your starter is very wet, you can strain a little liquid before pouring it into the skillet, but a wetter starter still bakes up well on a hot surface.
- Substitute olive oil for avocado oil if preferred.
- Feel free to swap sausage, onion, or pepper for other favorite toppings — this method works with many combinations.
Nutrition (approximate)
Calories and nutrients will vary by ingredient choices and portion sizes. A typical assembled sausage sourdough pizza as described can be higher in calories and sodium due to cheese and sausage; adjust portions and toppings for lighter options.
If you try this Sausage Sourdough Pizza, rate the recipe and leave a comment with any variations you loved. Enjoy your homemade pizza night!