This easy recipe for Spicy Sausage Pizza features a creamy three-cheese jalapeño ranch sauce, crumbled Italian sausage, and fresh sliced jalapeños for a bold, flavorful pizza that’s simple to make at home.
Table of contents
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Time saving tip
- What to serve with it
- Storage and reheating
- Optional toppings
- More Italian recipes
Years ago, a close friend and her father ran a pizza shop in Arizona. Whenever I visited, I always ordered the same combination of toppings: Italian sausage, jalapeños, and three different cheeses. I called it “The Whitney” — a spicy, cheesy favorite that stuck with me.
After they sold the pizzeria, I recreated my own version of that pizza at home. I started with a white sauce base and folded in jalapeño ranch to capture that familiar dip-like flavor everyone loves. Then I blended three cheeses into the sauce for richness, piled on crumbled Italian sausage, and finished with fresh sliced jalapeños for bright heat.
The result is a pizza that’s crispy, creamy, spicy, and deeply satisfying. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing game-day pie.
Ingredients
- Italian sausage – 1 pound loose Italian sausage (if you only find links, remove the casing). For more heat, choose hot Italian sausage.
- Cream cheese – 8 ounces, cubed, for the creamy sauce base.
- Chicken broth – 3/4 cup to thin the sauce (store-bought or homemade).
- Parmesan cheese – 1/2 cup freshly grated for best flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese – 3/4 cup shredded, divided; use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting.
- Jalapeño ranch dressing – 3/4 cup. Use your favorite brand of jalapeño ranch.
- Pizza dough – about 14 ounces (store-bought dough or homemade).
- Fresh jalapeños – 2, thinly sliced for topping (use fewer if you prefer less heat).
Instructions
Step-by-step photos are shown above. For best results, read the full instructions before you begin.
- Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Cook the sausage. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the loose Italian sausage and crumble it as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink. Drain excess grease and set the sausage aside.
- Make the white jalapeño-ranch sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cubed cream cheese and chicken broth. Whisk as the cream cheese melts and the mixture smooths out. Add the grated Parmesan and 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella and continue whisking until the cheeses melt into a silky sauce. Stir in the jalapeño ranch dressing, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble the pizza. Roll the pizza dough out on a baking sheet or pizza pan. Spread the three-cheese jalapeño-ranch sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Distribute the cooked sausage and sliced jalapeños over the sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella over the top (add more if you like extra cheese).
- Bake. Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing.
Time saving tip
Using store-bought pizza dough makes this recipe come together in about 30 minutes, which is ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute entertaining.
What to serve with it
Round out your pizza night with simple sides. Good options include cheesy garlic bread, garlic knots, pull-apart pizza rolls, a crisp Italian salad, or grilled Caesar salad. Finish with a light dessert like an apple dessert pizza for a themed meal.
Storage and reheating
Store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To reheat: place slices on a sheet pan under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, or preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), wrap the slices in foil, and warm for 15 minutes. You can also microwave slices for 1–2 minutes if you’re short on time.
Optional toppings
Add variety by including any of these toppings:
- Diced red bell pepper – add about 1/4 cup with the jalapeños.
- Diced red onion – 1/4 cup adds a sweet, sharp contrast.
- Fresh basil – tear and scatter over the pizza after baking for a fresh finish.
- Red pepper flakes – sprinkle on after baking for extra heat.
- Ricotta cheese – mix 1/2 cup ricotta with 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning and dollop on after the pizza comes out of the oven.
More Italian recipes
If you enjoyed this pizza, try other Italian-inspired dishes such as meatball sub bites, classic Italian meatballs with tomato-basil marinara, nduja pasta, roasted tomato bolognese, instant pot beef ragu, or a cheesy pizza dip. These recipes pair well with pizza nights and offer a delicious variety of flavors.
Spicy Sausage Pizza with Jalapeño Ranch Sauce
This easy Spicy Sausage Pizza is topped with a creamy three-cheese jalapeño ranch sauce, crumbled Italian sausage, and fresh sliced jalapeños for a bold, crowd-pleasing pie.
Servings: 8 slices
Prep Time: 17 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Ingredients
- 1 pound loose Italian sausage
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
- 3/4 cup jalapeño ranch dressing
- 14 ounces pizza dough
- 2 fresh jalapeños, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Cook and crumble the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cream cheese and chicken broth and whisk until smooth. Add Parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella, whisking until melted. Stir in jalapeño ranch dressing and simmer on low for 5 minutes.
- Roll out pizza dough on a baking sheet. Spread the sauce evenly over the dough, then top with cooked sausage and sliced jalapeños. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top.
- Bake 12–15 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Let rest briefly, slice, and serve.
Notes
Leftovers keep up to 5 days refrigerated in an airtight container. Reheat under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, or warm wrapped in foil at 350°F for 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Calories: 573 kcal; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Protein: 19 g; Fat: 43 g; Saturated Fat: 16 g; Sodium: 1313 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: 6 g.