Turkey Sausage and Pepper Pizza

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I know full well that just a few years from now, I'll be looking back at today's schedule of activities and think it looks easy breezy. But it seems to me that regardless of how many items are on our to-do list and how many places we're headed in a single day, life with a 4- and 1-year old just consistently feels hectic and busy. 

And throw back-to-school into the mix? (Even though we're talking pre-K and not full-blown school school!) It's only getting busier.

So for a quick, family-friendly weeknight meal that's fast and easy to make (plus leftovers for another family meal tomorrow), I made this delicious Turkey Sausage and Pepper Pizza.

I love using turkey products occasionally as an alternative to beef or pork or sausage . . . they are still so flavorful and delicious, but a lot leaner without all the fat and grease. And I love that the Honeysuckle White turkey sausage I used for this recipe is made from turkeys raised without growth-promoting antibiotics.

This pizza, topped with mildly spicy turkey sausage, onions, mushrooms, and green pepper, did not disappoint in the slightest. It took about 10 minutes to prepare, 10 more to cook, and we had an awesome family dinner together in almost no time. Gotta love a quick meal that tastes just as great as the ones you spend loads of time working on.

Normally, I'm all about homemade doughs. But for the sake of time tonight, I used a store bought pizza crust for this meal. (And it was great, but I can't wait to make this recipe again with a homemade pizza crust!)

Start browning the sausage in a pan while you prepare your crust with your favorite sauce and freshly grated mozzarella cheese. (A side note on cheese: yes, it'll take *slightly* longer if you buy lump mozzarella and grate it yourself instead of buying the pre-shredded kind. But I think it is absolutely worth the extra few minutes--bagged, pre-shredded mozzarella doesn't melt properly or have the awesome flavor of the real stuff! But of course, time is often the deciding factor here, so do what works for you.)

When the turkey sausage is browned, sprinkle it over your pizza. Keep the drippings in the pan for now! They'll add awesome flavor to your veggies. 

I cooked up a full pound of the sausage, but only used half on my pizza. The other half pound went into the fridge to add to a quick and easy spaghetti dinner for tomorrow!

Add your chopped pepper, onion, and mushrooms to the pan and cook in the sausage drippings until they're tender. Oh, the delicious smells that will be filling your kitchen right now. Can I come over on the night you make this? Please?

When the veggies are tender, add them to your pizza. I only spread them over half, anticipating complaints from certain young children who will not be named. 

Into the oven for 10 minutes, and you'll have yourself a fragrant, rich, melty, gooey, crispy and delicious homemade pizza. Perfect for busy school nights--and between the extra sausage you already prepared and any pizza leftovers, dinner tonight and tomorrow night will be a breeze.

Turkey Sausage and Pepper Pizza

1 prepared pizza crust (mine was store bought, but oh, it will be even more amazing if you make your own!)
1/2 cup pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 pound Honeysuckle White Turkey Sausage
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Brown turkey sausage in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. While it cooks, prepare your crust by spreading it with sauce and topping with cheese. When sausage is browned and no longer pink, sprinkle it over the pizza, reserving the oil and drippings in the skillet.

Add chopped vegetables to the skillet and cook until crisp-tender. Sprinkle over pizza.

Place pizza in preheated oven and bake for 8-12 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly. When done, let sit 2 minutes before serving. 

Enjoy!

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Honeysuckle White is giving 2 readers a $10 coupon towards a turkey product of their choice! Leave a comment below to enter. 

Note:  Honeysuckle White turkey products are only available in select states. For those on the East Coast (ME, NH, VT, NY, NJ, MA, VA, RI, CT, PA, MD, DE, WV, NC, SC, GA, and FL), look for Honeysuckle White’s sister brand, Shady Brook Farms!