Sausage, Onion and Fennel Pizza

 

Everyone in my family is crazy about pizzas. We eat pizza like you won't believe, which is why I make it an official pizza day every weekend. I put different toppings each time, depending on the requests from family members. This time, they want sausage and onion on it. I seriously think peppers will be good to add as well, but I added fennel instead, and it tasted awesome. Dig in, y'all!

 

Ingredients:

 

To make pizza dough:

- 3 1/2 to 4 cups bread flour, plus more for rolling

- 1 tsp. sugar

- 1 envelope instant dry yeast

- 2 tsp. salt

- 1 1/2 cups water, 110 degrees F

- 2 tbsp. olive oil, p lus 2 tsp.

 

Toppings:

- 1 lb pork sausage

- 2 tbsp. olive oil

- 1 cup sliced onion

- 1 cup thinly sliced fennel bulb

- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

- 1 cup caramelized onion and roasted garlic tomato pasta sauce

- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

- 1 tsp chopped fresh oregano leaves

 

Directions:

 

1. Combine the bread flour, sugar, yeast and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and combine. While the mixer is running, add the water and 2 tablespoons of the oil and beat until the dough forms into a ball. If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a solid ball. If the dough is too dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth, firm ball.

2. Grease a large bowl with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil, add the dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a warm area to let it double in size, about 1 hour. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 2 equal pieces. Cover each with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rest for 10 minutes.

3. Heat oven to 450°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.

4. In 12-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain. With slotted spoon, remove sausage; set aside. Add oil to drippings in skillet; add onion and fennel. Cook over medium heat 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Remove from heat. Stir in pepper.

5. Unroll dough on cookie sheet. Starting at center, press out dough to 16x13-inch rectangle. Prick crust generously with fork. Bake 5 minutes.

6. Spread pasta sauce over partially baked crust. Top with onion mixture, sausage and cheeses. Bake on lower oven rack 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese is golden brown. Sprinkle with oregano.