Savory Chicken Sausage Meatball Pizza with Roasted Tomato and Ricotta
Indulge in the perfect harmony of flavors with this Savory Chicken Sausage Meatball Pizza. The blend of roasted garlic and herb-infused chicken sausage creates juicy meatballs that are irresistible. Nestled on a thin crust, this pizza is topped with beautifully roasted tomatoes that provide a subtle acidity, balancing the richness of creamy ricotta cheese. Perfect for a cozy evening, pair it with a Cabernet/Merlot blend for an elevated dining experience. Enjoy a slice of this culinary delight that brings comfort food into a gourmet realm while satisfying your craving for pizza!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flavored chicken sausage (Roasted Garlic & Herb)
1 lb (Remove casings and crumble into small pieces.)
Whole wheat breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (None.)
Tomatoes
2 large (Sliced into 1/2 inch slices.)
Prepared pizza dough (thin crust)
1 lb (Stretched to fit the baking sheet.)
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (Divided: 1 tablespoon for brushing and 1 tablespoon for browning meatballs.)
Garlic powder
2 teaspoons (None.)
Dried oregano
2 teaspoons (None.)
Salt
2 teaspoons (Used to season tomatoes and dough.)
Black pepper
2 teaspoons (Used to season tomatoes and dough.)
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (None.)
Fresh ricotta cheese
1 lb (Dollops added before serving.)
Fresh chives
1 tablespoon (Finely diced for garnish.)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flavored chicken sausage and whole wheat breadcrumbs. Mix thoroughly until well integrated, then start forming small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Set them aside on a plate.
2
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the tomatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds and place them cut-side up on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle the tomatoes with salt and black pepper. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft in the center and have crispy edges.
3
While the tomatoes roast, prepare the pizza dough. On a floured surface, stretch the prepared thin crust pizza dough to fit your baking sheet, leaving a small edge for the crust. Brush the top with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, then season with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bake the crust in the oven for 7 minutes or until it is lightly golden brown.
4
In a non-stick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the formed meatballs to the skillet and cook them, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
5
After the crust is pre-baked, remove it from the oven. Layer the browned meatballs evenly across the surface, followed by the roasted tomato slices. Finally, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over the toppings. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the crust is finished cooking and the meatballs are heated through.
6
Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven. Using a small ice cream scoop, dollop fresh ricotta cheese evenly over the top of the pizza. Turn off the oven, then place the pizza back inside with the heat off, allowing the ricotta to warm through for about 5 minutes without further cooking.
7
Remove the pizza from the oven, garnish with finely diced fresh chives, slice, and serve hot for an unforgettable meal!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The main dish is a Savory Chicken Sausage Meatball Pizza with Roasted Tomato and Ricotta.
What flavor of chicken sausage is recommended?
The recipe calls for Roasted Garlic & Herb flavored chicken sausage.
How do you prepare the chicken sausage for meatballs?
You should remove the casings and crumble the sausage into small pieces before mixing.
What type of breadcrumbs are used for the meatballs?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of whole wheat breadcrumbs.
What is the suggested size for the meatballs?
Form the meatballs into small spheres about 1 inch in diameter.
How should the tomatoes be sliced?
Slice the tomatoes into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How do you roast the tomatoes?
Place them cut-side up on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes.
What seasonings are applied to the tomatoes?
Lightly sprinkle the sliced tomatoes with salt and black pepper before roasting.
How is the pizza dough prepared?
Stretch the thin crust dough on a floured surface to fit your baking sheet, leaving a small edge for the crust.
What is brushed on the dough before it is pre-baked?
Brush the top of the dough with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
Which seasonings are used on the pizza crust?
Season the crust with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
How long should the pizza crust be pre-baked?
Bake the crust for 7 minutes or until it is lightly golden brown.
How are the meatballs cooked before going on the pizza?
Brown them in a non-stick skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
What are the primary toppings layered on the crust?
The pizza is topped with browned meatballs, roasted tomato slices, and grated parmesan cheese.
How much parmesan cheese is required?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
How long is the final bake time once toppings are added?
Bake for an additional 5 minutes until the meatballs are heated through and the crust is finished.
How is the ricotta cheese added to the pizza?
Use a small ice cream scoop to dollop 1 lb of fresh ricotta cheese evenly over the top.
What is the secret to warming the ricotta cheese?
Turn off the oven and place the pizza back inside for 5 minutes to allow the ricotta to warm through without cooking.
What garnish is used for this pizza?
Garnish with 1 tablespoon of finely diced fresh chives.
What wine pairing is suggested for this recipe?
A Cabernet/Merlot blend is recommended to elevate the dining experience.
How many ingredients are needed for this pizza?
The recipe uses 12 specific ingredients.
Is this pizza a thin crust or thick crust style?
This recipe specifically uses a thin crust pizza dough.
How much garlic powder and dried oregano are used?
Use 2 teaspoons each of garlic powder and dried oregano.
What should the tomatoes look like after roasting?
They should be soft in the center and have crispy edges.
What is the purpose of the whole wheat breadcrumbs?
They are mixed with the chicken sausage to help form and bind the meatballs.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include pizza, chicken sausage, meatballs, ricotta, roasted tomatoes, and gourmet pizza.
How many tablespoons of olive oil are used in total?
A total of 2 tablespoons are used, divided between the crust and the skillet.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is described as a culinary delight that brings comfort food into a gourmet realm.
How should the pizza be served?
The pizza should be sliced and served hot for an unforgettable meal.