Save The first time I served this at a dinner party, my friend Sarah literally stopped mid conversation after her first bite. That hot honey hitting the tangy feta and spicy sausage creates this incredible moment where everyone just goes quiet for a second. Now its the most requested pizza whenever we have people over, and I honestly cant blame them.
Last Friday my teenage son walked in while I was drizzling the honey and asked what smelled so incredible. He ended up eating three slices before I could even call everyone to the table, then admitted hed never liked feta until that exact moment. Thats the kind of recipe this is.
Ingredients
- Pizza dough: I keep store-bought dough in my freezer for emergency pizza nights, but homemade gives you that extra chewy texture
- Olive oil: Brushing the crust before topping prevents sogginess and creates those beautiful golden edges
- Hot Italian sausage: Removing the casings and crumbling it yourself lets you control the spice level and texture
- Mozzarella cheese: Shredded melts more evenly than fresh, creating that perfect cheese blanket over everything
- Feta cheese: The salty tang cuts through the rich sausage and sweet honey, and I like to crumble it fairly large
- Hot honey: Store-bought is convenient, but I simmer regular honey with red pepper flakes for 5 minutes when I have time
- Fresh herbs: Parsley adds brightness without overpowering, though basil works if thats what you have on hand
Instructions
- Get your oven screaming hot:
- Slide your pizza stone in now if youre using one, and let it preheat for at least 30 minutes at 475°F while you prep everything else
- Roll and prep the dough:
- Work on a floured surface and dont worry about perfect circles, then brush each crust with olive oil to create a moisture barrier
- Cook the sausage:
- Crumble it into a hot skillet and let it get really brown and crispy in spots, then drain off the excess fat before topping
- Build your masterpiece:
- Layer mozzarella first so it acts as glue, then scatter sausage and feta evenly across both pizzas
- Bake until bubbly:
- Slide onto your preheated stone or baking sheet and bake 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is deeply golden and cheese is bubbling
- The magic moment:
- Drizzle that hot honey generously over the whole pizza immediately after baking while its still piping hot
Save My husband usually prefers plain pepperoni, but after trying this version he actually suggested we make it for his fantasy football draft party. Watching a room full of guys discover hot honey for the first time was pretty entertaining.
Making It Your Own
Sometimes I add thinly sliced red onion before baking for extra sweetness and crunch. Caramelized onions work beautifully too and add this deep savory element that pairs surprisingly well with the honey. If youre not into pork sausage, spicy turkey sausage actually holds up really well here.
Perfecting the Crust
Ive learned that stretching the dough on parchment paper makes transferring to the hot stone so much easier. Also, dont overload the toppings even though its tempting, or youll end up with a soggy middle. Less is more with the feta especially.
Serving & Storage
This pizza disappears fast at parties, but if you somehow have leftovers, they reheat surprisingly well in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. The honey flavor actually intensifies overnight, which I discovered the hard way after eating cold leftovers for breakfast the next morning.
- Cut into smaller squares as appetizers instead of wedges
- Serve with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon
- Have extra red pepper flakes on the table for the heat seekers
Save Hope this becomes your new go-to for pizza night. There is something pretty magical about that first bite when all the flavors hit together.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What makes the honey hot?
Hot honey is infused with chili peppers, creating that signature sweet-heat combination. You can buy it pre-made or simply mix regular honey with red pepper flakes to achieve the same effect.
- → Can I use sweet Italian sausage instead?
Absolutely. Sweet Italian sausage will create a milder flavor profile. You might want to increase the red pepper flakes slightly to maintain some heat if you prefer spicier notes.
- → Why add honey after baking?
Honey caramelizes and burns quickly at high temperatures. Drizzling it after baking preserves its fresh flavor and prevents bitterness while allowing it to warm through slightly from the hot pizza.
- → Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, swap the pork sausage for plant-based sausage crumbles or use grilled vegetables like bell peppers and onions. The feta and honey combination still delivers excellent flavor.
- → What's the best way to reheat leftovers?
Reheat in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness. Microwaving will make the crust soggy, while the oven helps maintain that perfect crunch while reheating the toppings evenly.
- → Can I prepare toppings ahead?
Cook the sausage up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also crumble the feta and shred the mozzarella ahead of time, making assembly quick when you're ready to bake.