When asked what my favorite food to make or even eat I always revert back to pizza. I know.. how "Italian" of me. I grew up in my uncle's pizzeria and worked at my other uncle's pizzeria for a good chunk of my 20s.
I remember when I was younger - buffalo chicken pizza became the "new trend" and I was OBSESSED. I'd have my Uncle Minuccio make me a personal buffalo chicken pizza every Friday night and would absolutely devour it. He also would make this one pizza with hot peppers, sausage and french fries on a thin crust sicilian. It was CRAZY good. My cousin Carmine also got my hooked on chicken bacon ranch pizza.
From then on I loved thinking up different pizza combinations, but of course a plain slice always had a place in my heart.
When I started working at my Uncle Tony's pizzeria/restaurant there was a time I'd eat a slice of pizza for "breakfast" basically 4 times a week lol. My cousin Bianca, who is part owner with her parents, would have a new pizza special every week and I loved sitting with her trying to come up with something new. Fast forward to now - I no longer work at the pizzeria, but my boyfriend and I love to make our own pizza at least once a week. We haven't delved into dough making, but we're pretty good on the topping side, I'd say. We have so many favorites that we have made, but this one tops them all, so I figured I'd share it with you all :)
Ingredients:
1 Pizza Dough
1 bunch of Broccoli Rabe
4-5 sweet or hot Italian sausage links (I used Premio Sweet Sausage)
about 6 oz of tomato/pizza sauce. I used Carbone Spicy Pizza Sauce but you can use any seasoned sauce you'd like or season your own!
Fresh Mozzarella sliced
Grated Parmigiana Cheese or Pecorino Romano
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sliced or chopped fresh garlic (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 450F.
Add some about 1 tbsp to a pan and cook the sausage links 5 minutes per side or until it is browned. You can also grill them if you'd like!
Once browned, remove from the pan and slice into 1/2 inch thick pieces.
While the sausage is cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
While you wait for the water, prepare your broccoli rabe: wash each leaf and cut a little bit off the bottom of the stem. Score it or "make a cross" (check out the video link below for a visual).
Once the water is boiling, add in the broccoli rabe and cook for about 5 minutes or until the water turns yellow/lime green *insert rolling eye emoji #iykyk*
Remove the broccoli rabe and add it to a bowl. Cut up the broccoli rabe to bite size pieces (I use a kitchen scissor) and season with extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to your liking. You can even use chopped fresh garlic if you want!
Flour a pizza pan or if you don't have one, I use a baking dish and place parchement paper on top an then some flour.
Stretch out your dough with floured hands and add it to the pan.
Spread your pizza sauce and add your toppings! Sausage, broccoli rabe, grated cheese, and fresh mozzarella.
Bake in the oven for about 12-15 minutes. Every oven is different so make sure to take out the pizza and life one of the edges slightly with a spatula to see if the bottom is fully cooked.
Slice it however you'd like then serve and enjoy :)
Tips:
There's a lot of multitasking in this recipe, so if you don't want to make everything at the same time, spread it out and cook things separately. The sausage and broccoli rabe can be made prior and refrigerated until ready to cook since they will heat up again when you place the pizza in the oven.
Get hot sausage if you want an extra kick!
Don't like spicy? Use sweet sausage and get pizza sauce that isn't spicy.
Don't want to use fresh mozzarella? Get the shredded mozzarella in a bag! Will still be delicious.
If you like your meat more spread out or don't like your sausage in links, get ground sausage from the store instead.
Watch my videos below for a visual!
Don't forget to share your creations with me by tagging me on social media. I'd love to see how you put your own spin on this classic recipe. Hope you enjoy!
If you enjoyed this recipe, don't forget to follow us on TikTok @rosabrinas_cucina and Instagram @rosabrinascucina for more creations or explore our website for other comforting recipes to add to your collection.
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