Italian Sausage Bread is a cheesy and delicious recipe using pizza dough rolled up with mozzarella cheese and Italian sausage. This is a simple recipe that’s great for any occasion!
This Italian Sausage Bread is a delicious and easy recipe made with sweet Italian sausage that’s cooked and then rolled in pizza dough. It’s a great appetizer or main course that’s perfect for holidays, game days, or a fun and simple dinner!
For another rolled pizza dough recipe, try my Italian Stromboli recipe stuffed with salami and cheese. If you love simple Italian-inspired appetizers, don’t miss this Baked Ricotta Dip or Pesto Tortellini Skewers.
Italian Sausage Bread
Italian Sausage Bread is an Italian-American recipe that uses cooked Italian sausage and mozzarella wrapped in fluffy pizza dough. It’s simple to make and always a crowd favorite.
This recipe comes together fast and has the most amazing flavors and textures. You’ll love the combination of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese paired with Italian sausage.
I like to have this recipe on hand for special occasions, like the holidays, but it’s simple enough to make year round. Plus, you can serve it as an easy appetizer, side dish, or main course served with a side of marinara sauce.
You’ll love that this is a simple recipe using either store bought or homemade small batch pizza dough. You could also make this with bread dough for a more fluffy and filling version.
So, if you’re looking for a delicious and cheesy recipe, give this Italian Sausage Bread a try. You’re going to love it!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Sausage: use sweet or mild Italian sausage, or hot Italian sausage if you can handle the heat! Be sure to remove the casings from the sausage before using.
- Onion: you’ll need one medium diced onion.
- Pizza Dough: make one pound pizza dough at home or you can buy store-bought pizza dough in the refrigerator section in most grocery stores. You could also make this with store-bought bread dough at room temperature.
- Mozzarella: shredded mozzarella works best. Fresh mozzarella is too wet. You could also substitute with white cheddar or provolone cheese.
- Parmesan: grated mozzarella adds flavor and a bit of saltiness to the Italian sausage bread.
- Egg: one large egg to help seal the bread and add shine to the top.
- Italian Seasoning: if you don’t have Italian seasoning you can garnish with dried parsley, red pepper flakes, or dried oregano.
How to Make Italian Sausage Bread
This recipe for Italian Sausage Bread, known also as Sicilian Sausage Bread, comes together quick and is made with pizza dough. It’s a great appetizer or main course, and would be perfect for any occasion.
Step 1: cook the sausage and onion
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine the crumbled sausage and diced onion. Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage and cooked until the sausage is browned and the onions are tender. Season with salt and black pepper.
Remove from heat and drain off any excess oil. Set aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: add toppings
Use a rolling pin or your hands to press the dough into a large rectangle. Add the cooked sausage mixture on top of the dough leaving an inch border on all sides.
Then, sprinkle on the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. In a small bowl, beat the egg and then use a pastry brush to brush the edges of the dough with the egg mixture.
Step 3: roll the dough
Carefully roll the dough lengthwise (jelly roll style), tucking in the filling as you roll. Brush the top of the dough with the egg wash and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Place the sausage roll on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Step 4: bake and slice
Place the Italian Sausage Bread recipe in a preheated oven on the center rack and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
Let the bread cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve on its own or with a side of pizza sauce.
Tips for Making Italian Sausage Bread
- You can easily make your own pizza dough for this recipe using my small batch pizza dough recipe. You can also use store-bought pizza dough, defrosted bread dough, or even a tube of pizza dough.
- To make ahead, prepare the sausage and onion mixture and refrigerate. Then roll in the pizza dough and bake when ready to use.
- Store leftover Italian sausage bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Italian Sausage Bread
Equipment
- baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian Sausage (casings removed)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 pound pizza dough (enough for one large pizza)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook the sausage and diced onions until the sausage is browned and the onions are translucent; about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess oil and set aside to cool slightly.
- Place the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough into a 12 x 16 inch rectangle. Spread the cooled sausage and onion mixture on top of the dough leaving about an inch border all around. Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg. Roll up the dough, starting on the longer end, until you have rolled dough into a pinwheel shape. Carefully move the bread roll to the prepared baking pan. Brush the top with remaining egg mixture and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Bake on the center rack of preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top of the bread is golden brown in color. Remove from oven and let sit on a wire cooling rack for 10 minutes, before slicing into rounds. Serve with marinara sauce on the side (optional).
Notes
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- You can easily make your own pizza dough for this recipe using my small batch pizza dough recipe. You can also use store-bought pizza dough, defrosted bread dough, or even a tube of pizza dough.
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- To make ahead, prepare the sausage and onion mixture and refrigerate. Then roll in the pizza dough and bake when ready to use.
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- Store leftover Italian sausage bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Can’t wait to try this recipe
Thanks! It’s so yummy 🙂
Love it just as it is. I like to add sliced, marinated Italian red roasted sweet peppers to the mixture for another dimension of flavor. However, be frugal – too much will make the sausage bread soggy. Yummy!
Great idea and thanks for the tip! So happy you enjoyed it!