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Sheet-Pan "Deconstructed Pizza" with Italian Sausage & Crispy Ciabatta

Sheet-Pan "Deconstructed Pizza" with Italian Sausage & Crispy Ciabatta

Listen, I love Friday pizza night as much as anyone, but sometimes I just don't have the energy to wrestle with dough. Enter my favorite cheat code: the deconstructed sheet-pan pizza. We're tossing rustic chunks of Italian sausage, burst cherry tomatoes, and thick cubes of ciabatta right on one pan. The bread acts like a sponge for the incredible savory sausage juices before crisping up perfectly, giving you all the comfort of a deep-dish slice without any of the flour-dusted countertops.

Elena Reyes
Elena Reyes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
4
easy
dinner
sheet-pancomfort-foodfriday-night30-minute-meal+1

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Timeline

30 minutes
0m10m20m30m
Prep Veggies & Bread
5m
Tear Sausage
5m
Roast Sheet Pan
20m
Prep Sauce & Basil
Add Sauce & Cheese
Broil Cheese
3m
Garnish & Serve

Ingredients

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes(leave whole)
  • 1 large red bell pepper(chopped into 1-inch pieces)
  • 1/2 large red onion(roughly chopped)
  • 4 cups ciabatta bread(cubed into 1.5-inch pieces (about 1 medium loaf))
  • 3 tbsp olive oil(divided)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 lb Italian sausage links(mild or spicy, casings removed)
  • 1/2 cup store-bought marinara sauce(your favorite brand)
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls(also called bocconcini)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves(torn)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 425°F. Directly on a rimmed baking sheet, toss 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 1 large red bell pepper, 1/2 large red onion, and 4 cups ciabatta bread with 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Spread everything out into an even layer.

    5 min

    Tip: Don't line the pan with parchment paper today! We want the bread in direct contact with the hot metal so it gets beautifully crispy.

  2. 2

    Remove the casings from 1 lb Italian sausage links. Tear the meat into bite-sized rustic chunks, dropping them directly among the bread and vegetables on the sheet pan.

    5 min

    Tip: Whatever you do, don't roll the sausage into neat little meatballs. We want jagged, irregular edges—they get infinitely crispier in the oven.

  3. 3

    Transfer the sheet pan to the oven and roast until the sausage is completely cooked through, the tomatoes have burst, and the bread cubes are golden brown and toasted like giant croutons.

    20 min

    Tip: Halfway through cooking, give the pan a quick shake to ensure nothing is sticking and the bread gets crispy on all sides.

  4. 4

    While the pan is roasting, briefly warm 1/2 cup store-bought marinara sauce in the microwave for about 30 seconds, and roughly tear up 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves.

    2 min

    Tip: Warming the marinara ensures it doesn't immediately cool down our perfectly hot roasted ingredients when we add it later.

  5. 5

    Remove the pan from the oven. Dollop the warm marinara evenly across the pan, then scatter 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls over the top. Switch your oven setting to broil.

    2 min

    Tip: I like to leave some of the bread completely sauce-free so you get a mix of saucy, chewy pieces and super crunchy bites.

  6. 6

    Return the pan to the oven and broil on high until the mozzarella is beautifully melted, bubbly, and just starting to brown in spots.

    3 min

    Tip: Do not walk away! The broiler is a fickle friend and can burn your gorgeous dinner in seconds.

  7. 7

    Pull the pan out, scatter the torn fresh basil over the melted cheese, and serve immediately straight from the sheet pan.

    1 min

    Tip: Throw a pair of tongs on the pan and let everyone build their own bowl. Friday dinner, handled.

Chef's Notes

If you can't find mozzarella pearls (also called bocconcini), just grab a regular ball of fresh mozzarella and tear it into bite-sized pieces. Just please, whatever you do, skip the pre-shredded bagged cheese for this one—we want those glorious, gooey puddles of fresh cheese!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Sheet-Pan "Deconstructed Pizza" with Italian Sausage & Crispy Ciabatta take to make?

Sheet-Pan "Deconstructed Pizza" with Italian Sausage & Crispy Ciabatta takes about 35 minutes total. That includes 10 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What skill level is needed for Sheet-Pan "Deconstructed Pizza" with Italian Sausage & Crispy Ciabatta?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for Sheet-Pan "Deconstructed Pizza" with Italian Sausage & Crispy Ciabatta?

The main ingredients are: cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, ciabatta bread, olive oil, dried oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, Italian sausage links, store-bought marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella pearls, fresh basil leaves.

What type of meal is Sheet-Pan "Deconstructed Pizza" with Italian Sausage & Crispy Ciabatta?

Sheet-Pan "Deconstructed Pizza" with Italian Sausage & Crispy Ciabatta is categorized as: dinner.