If you're here for the broccoli rabe, then the secret is to saute that in garlic first before proceeding to a fabulous flavored Italian green delight on your pizza.
If you’re craving a bold, flavorful pizza that goes beyond the ordinary, Broccoli Rabe and Sausage Pizza is the answer.
This Italian-inspired pie combines the bitterness of broccoli rabe (rapini) with savory Italian sausage and gooey mozzarella cheese for a mouthwatering dinner you’ll want on repeat.
Unlike traditional broccoli or spinach toppings, broccoli rabe has a unique, slightly bitter edge that pairs beautifully with rich sausage and melted cheese.
This pizza is a step up from your usual slice—and once you try it, you’ll never look at pizza night the same way again.
Adapt this pizza however your family likes it; if you're not fond of this green, use spinach. We just love the homemade dough for this pizza, sauteed broccoli rabe, and our homemade sausage, and it's a true specialty!
Why Make Broccoli Rabe and Sausage Pizza
Authentic Italian flavors, Broccoli rabe, and sausage are a classic Italian pairing. Adding it to pizza makes for a true restaurant-style meal at home.A healthier twist, Broccoli rabe is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, plus fiber and antioxidants, making this pizza a more nutrient-rich choice.
Perfect flavor balance. The bitterness of broccoli rabe mellows when sautéed, especially when seasoned with garlic and olive oil. Paired with sausage, it creates the ultimate sweet, savory, and slightly bitter combination.
Crowd-pleaser, it’s unique enough to impress guests yet comforting and satisfying like any great pizza should be.
Remember, recipes are basic and everyone has a different taste, so nothing is written in stone, if you're not a fan, it's fine, but our PIZZA DOUGH is fantastic, so start there and also try our HOMEMADE PIZZA SAUCE.
You can use spinach instead of broccoli, or another favorite green is arugula a little peppery flavor. Another fun topping is meatballs crushed, or load it up with pepperoni, and the list goes on and on.
Broccoli Rabe and sausage is a match made in heaven, and we love this the best out of all the pizza pies we make.
Tip on How To Make The Best Broccoli Rabe Pizza
- First thing is to make a homemade pizza sauce, Authentic Pizza Sauce, this is a must!
- Blanch before sautéing – To tame some of the bitterness, blanch broccoli rabe in salted boiling water for 2–3 minutes, then drain.
- Sauté: Sauté the broccoli rabe in olive oil and garlic
- Squeeze out excess liquid – After sautéing, make sure to press out any extra moisture. Too much liquid will make your pizza soggy.
- Season well – Don’t just throw broccoli rabe on the pizza plain. Sauté it with garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes for a flavorful topping that shines.
- Use quality sausage – Mild or spicy Italian sausage both work well. Remove it from the casing and cook until browned for the best texture.
- Balance with cheese – Fresh mozzarella melts beautifully, but a sprinkle of grated Pecorino Romano adds a sharp, salty finish that ties it all together.
Alternative Toppings:
- peppers
- olives
- eggplant
- pepperoni
- crushed meatballs
- buffalo chicken and cheddar cheese
- loose cooked sausage
- ham, and pineapple
- mushrooms
- chopped broccoli
- zucchini or spinach
- shrimp and garlic with cheese.
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Final Thoughts on Making Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pizza
A pizza topped with broccoli rabe and sausage is both alluring and so gourmet.
It’s a real crowd-pleaser in my house, neck and neck with the iconic tomato and mozzarella style Sicilian way.
Again, if you need a quick meal, use good store-bought dough, then prepare just the topping from scratch.
All you’ll need to do is saute the Italian sausage and broccoli rabe and top the pie. All links are in the recipe card on how to.
Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pizza
Yield: 12
Prep time: 25 MinCook time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 25 M
This is a homemade pizza dough topped with sausage and broccoli rabe a gourmet Italian special kind of pizza pie
Ingredients
- 1 lb of fresh pizza dough or buy some store-bought
- 1 bunch of fresh broccoli rabe sauteed with garlic and olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce or your favorite pizza sauce
- 1 thinly sliced plum tomato
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1/2 pound cooked sliced homemade hot Italian sausage, sweet or mild, cooked
- 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- mozzarella shredded cheese, around 2 cups
- grated Pecorina Romano cheese
- oregano
- fresh basil leaves
- optional 1 cup sliced mushrooms
Instructions
- Make dough or use store-bought.
- Spread the dough out on a large pizza deep-pan greased.
- Let rise for around 1/2 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Cook broccoli rabe according to the instructions from the highlighted link.
- Stretch the dough on a greased pizza pan. Let rise for around 1/2 hour.
- In a large frypan, saute 2 tablespoons olive oil with garlic for two minutes, do not brown.
- Add sausage and mushrooms, till all pink is gone in the sausage.
- Spread sauce over dough, and top with sauteed broccoli rabe, sausage, mushrooms, and thinly sliced tomato.
- Add mozzarella and grated cheese on top.
- Bake till brown and crispy. sprinkle with oregano, fresh basil, and more grated cheese if you like.
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