Zesty Italian Pizza from Pizza Hut features a flavorful combination of tangy marinara sauce, Italian sausage, ripe tomatoes, green bell peppers, and melted mozzarella cheese on a golden, crispy crust, delivering a vibrant and savory Italian-inspired taste.
Equipments
- Pizza oven
- Pizza peel
- Dough mixer
- Rolling pin
- Pizza stone or baking tray
- Mixing bowls
- Cheese grater
- Ladle or spoon (for sauce)
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Skillet or pan (for sausage)
- Cooling rack
- Oven mitts
- Pizza cutter
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) pizza dough
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 8 oz (225g) Italian sausage
- 1 cup ripe tomatoes
- 1 cup green bell peppers
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil (for brushing)
- Salt
- Black pepper
Italian sausage should be cooked thoroughly in a skillet before adding to the pizza to ensure a rich flavor and safety. Fresh, ripe tomatoes and crisp green bell peppers provide a vibrant contrast to the tangy marinara sauce, making ingredient quality crucial. Shredded mozzarella cheese must be evenly distributed to melt fully and create a perfect golden topping. Brushing the pizza dough with olive oil before baking enhances crust crispiness and adds subtle flavor. Your efforts to replicate the Zesty Italian Pizza from Pizza Hut will pay off with these ingredient tips creating a restaurant-quality copycat version.
Instructions
- Preheat pizza oven to 475°F (245°C) with pizza stone/baking tray inside.
- Remove casings from Italian sausage.
- Cook sausage in skillet/pan over medium heat until browned; drain excess fat.
- Wash and dice ripe tomatoes and green bell peppers on cutting board.
- Roll out pizza dough on floured surface with rolling pin to desired thickness.
- Transfer dough to pizza peel or parchment.
- Lightly brush dough edges with olive oil using a pastry brush.
- Spread marinara sauce evenly over dough with ladle or spoon, leaving a border.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over sauce.
- Evenly distribute cooked sausage, diced tomatoes, and sliced green peppers on top.
- Season pizza with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Carefully slide pizza onto preheated pizza stone/tray in oven.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
- Remove pizza from oven with pizza peel; transfer to cooling rack for a few minutes.
- Slice with pizza cutter and serve.
Substitution
When making a Zesty Italian Pizza from Pizza Hut copycat menu, you can substitute Italian sausage with spicy chorizo or ground beef to maintain a flavorful protein base. If fresh green bell peppers are unavailable, use frozen diced peppers or substitute with sauteed onions for a different but complementary crunch. Marinara sauce can be replaced with a rich tomato basil sauce or a spicy arrabbiata to adjust the tanginess and heat level to your preference. Use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese if fresh mozzarella is not on hand, but grate it yourself for better melting and flavor. Ensure your pizza stone or baking tray is well-preheated to achieve a crispy crust similar to Pizza Hut's signature texture, enhancing your homemade pizza experience.
Tips
Make sure your pizza oven and pizza stone are fully preheated to 475degF (245degC) before baking to achieve a crispy, golden crust. When handling the dough, flour your surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking, but avoid using too much flour as it can toughen the crust. Cook the Italian sausage thoroughly and drain excess fat to avoid greasy toppings that can sog your pizza. After baking, use a cooling rack to let your pizza rest for a few minutes so the cheese sets and slicing becomes easier without losing toppings.
Nutritions
Zesty Italian Pizza from Pizza Hut offers a balanced mix of macronutrients with protein from Italian sausage and mozzarella cheese, and carbohydrates from the pizza dough. The marinara sauce and fresh vegetables like tomatoes and green bell peppers provide essential vitamins and antioxidants, enhancing the pizza's nutritional profile. This pizza contains moderate levels of fat due to the sausage and cheese, including healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil. You can enjoy this savory meal while getting a good source of calcium, vitamin C, and iron.
Storage
To store your Zesty Italian Pizza from Pizza Hut, allow it to cool completely before wrapping tightly with aluminum foil or placing it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Refrigerate the pizza promptly and consume within 3-4 days to ensure optimal taste and safety. For longer storage, freeze portions in sealed freezer bags and reheat in a preheated pizza oven at 375degF (190degC) for 10-12 minutes to restore its crispy crust and melty cheese.
Variation or Alternatives
For a variation, you can substitute Italian sausage with spicy chorizo or grilled chicken to add a different protein flavor dimension. Swap green bell peppers for roasted red peppers or sauteed spinach to enhance the vegetable profile with sweetness or earthiness. Consider using a blend of mozzarella and provolone cheese for a richer, creamier texture and flavor complexity. You might also brush the crust with garlic-infused olive oil before baking to impart a subtle aromatic crispiness to your pizza.
Allergies
Your Zesty Italian Pizza from Pizza Hut contains common allergens such as dairy from the mozzarella cheese and gluten from the pizza dough. Italian sausage may also contain preservatives or spices that could trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. Always check with the restaurant or packaging for any cross-contamination risks if you have food allergies.
Why this recipe?
The Zesty Italian Pizza from Pizza Hut is popular for its bold blend of spicy Italian herbs, tangy tomato sauce, and generous toppings like pepperoni and green peppers. This pizza delivers a perfect balance of savory and zesty flavors that appeal to a wide range of taste preferences. You can replicate its irresistible taste at home by mastering the unique combination of fresh ingredients and seasoning, making it a fun and rewarding culinary challenge. Trying a copycat recipe allows you to enjoy a crave-worthy meal with personalized adjustments to suit your favorite flavor intensity.