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Flora Ashbury

Sausage & Ricotta Pizza with a Gloss of Fiery Honey

A beautifully crisp, golden pizza layered with richly seasoned Italian sausage, soft clouds of ricotta, and finished with a delicate drizzle of warm, spiced honey—balancing savoury depth with a gentle, lingering sweetness.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 slices
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pizza Base
  • 1 lb pizza dough artisan or homemade, at room temperature
  • ½ lb Italian sausage casings removed
  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta rich and delicately creamy
  • ½ cup mozzarella finely shredded
  • ¼ cup hot honey
  • ½ cup tomato pizza sauce smooth and well-balanced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves finely torn
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for added warmth
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
For the Hot Honey
  • ¼ cup good-quality honey
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes
  • Gently warm the honey with the chilli allowing it to infuse before cooling—creating a smooth, aromatic drizzle with a subtle, lingering heat.

Equipment

  • Rolling Pin (or simply your hands, for a more rustic shape)
  • Skillet (for rendering and caramelising the sausage)
  • Baking sheet or pizza stone (for a crisp, evenly baked base)
  • Pizza Cutter (for clean, confident slicing)

Method
 

Preheat the Oven
  1. Heat the oven to **245°C (475°F)**, placing a pizza stone inside if using, so it becomes thoroughly hot.
Cook the Sausage
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into rustic pieces as it browns—about **5–7 minutes**. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
Shape the Dough
  1. On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the dough into a **12–14 inch round or oval**, keeping the edges slightly thicker for a natural crust.
Build the Base
  1. Lightly brush the dough with olive oil, then spread an even layer of tomato sauce, leaving a small border. Scatter over half of the mozzarella.
Layer the Toppings
  1. Add the sausage, followed by soft spoonfuls of ricotta. Finish with the remaining mozzarella and a light sprinkle of red pepper flakes, if desired.
Bake
  1. Transfer to the oven and bake for **12–15 minutes**, until the crust is golden and lightly blistered, and the cheese is bubbling.
Finish & Serve
  1. Remove from the oven and drizzle generously with hot honey. Garnish with fresh basil, then allow to rest for **2–3 minutes** before slicing and serving.

Notes

For a beautifully crisp base, bake on a preheated pizza stone. Adjust the warmth to your liking by increasing or softening the chilli in the hot honey, allowing the heat to sit exactly where you want it.