Homemade Olive Garden Style Pepperoni & Sausage Flatbread Pizza: Easy Weeknight Recipe
Who doesn’t love the idea of bringing restaurant-quality flavors into their own kitchen, especially when it’s as quick and easy as this Copycat Olive Garden Pepperoni & Sausage Flatbread Pizza? Imagine a thin, crispy flatbread crust, generously spread with savory marinara sauce, topped with tender roasted red peppers, spicy pepperoni, flavorful sausage, and a decadent blanket of melted cheese. This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a delightful culinary adventure that promises to be both effortless to prepare and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend lunch, this flatbread pizza delivers big on taste without the fuss of complicated cooking. (Special thanks to Johnsonville Sausage for their partnership on this delicious post!)
The Inspiration: A Championship Celebration and an Unforgettable Flatbread
Just a few weeks ago, my family and I had a fantastic reason to celebrate: my son’s football team had just clinched the championship! To mark this momentous occasion, we headed out for a celebratory dinner. As is often the case when it’s his special day, the restaurant of choice was Olive Garden – a perennial favorite in our household. While I usually gravitate towards their pasta dishes, my son decided to venture into uncharted territory for us and ordered the Pepperoni & Sausage Flatbread Pizza. I admit, the Olive Garden menu can sometimes be quite overwhelming with its array of delicious options, and this particular flatbread had never caught my eye before.
However, when his pizza arrived, I couldn’t help but be intrigued. The aroma alone was captivating, and the vibrant colors of the toppings were incredibly appealing. I instinctively grabbed my phone to snap a quick picture, thinking that this was a dish I absolutely had to try recreating at home. To my delight, it was truly tasty – an explosion of flavors and textures that left a lasting impression. Determined to capture that deliciousness, I set out to develop my own version. And you know what? I genuinely believe my homemade rendition isn’t just a good copycat; it’s even better than the original!
The Secret to Effortless Excellence: Smart Ingredient Choices
One of the best things about this flatbread pizza recipe is how incredibly easy it is to assemble, largely thanks to a few clever ingredient choices that save significant time without compromising on flavor. The foundation of any great pizza is its crust, and for this recipe, I opted for a store-bought flatbread crust. These ready-to-cook flatbreads are a game-changer for quick meals, offering a perfectly crisp base without the need for kneading, rising, or stretching dough from scratch. They provide a sturdy yet thin surface that cooks quickly and beautifully.
Next up, the marinara sauce. While I occasionally enjoy making my own homemade marinara, for the sake of speed and simplicity, a good quality store-bought marinara works wonders here. There are many excellent brands available that offer a rich, authentic Italian flavor, acting as the perfect canvas for our toppings. The key is to find one you love – or, if you have a favorite family recipe, by all means, use that! But for a truly fast dinner, a jarred sauce is your friend.
And then there’s the star ingredient that truly elevates this pizza: Johnsonville Smoked Sausage. This is where the magic of “pre-cooked” comes into play. Johnsonville sausages are incredibly versatile and flavorful on their own, but their pre-cooked nature means they require minimal preparation. No raw meat to fuss with, no long cooking times – just a quick chop and a gentle reheat, and you’re ready to add a burst of savory goodness to your flatbread. This convenience makes Johnsonville an absolute staple in my kitchen, allowing me to create delicious, hearty meals in a fraction of the time.
Why Johnsonville Beef Hot Links Are a Game Changer for This Pizza
I cannot overstate how incredible Johnsonville sausages are, and for this specific flatbread, their Beef Hot Links are simply divine. I’m a big fan, and honestly, sometimes I just slice them up and eat them straight out of the package – they’re that good! But beyond their standalone deliciousness, they bring so much to this pizza.
The beauty of the Johnsonville Beef Hot Links lies in several factors. First, as mentioned, they are pre-cooked, which means preparation time is drastically reduced. We’re talking minutes, not hours. This makes them ideal for busy weeknights when you want a flavorful meal without a lot of fuss. Second, and perhaps most importantly for this recipe, they boast an absolutely fantastic flavor profile. They’re juicy, tender, and, as the name suggests, they have a wonderful, subtle spice to them. This spicy kick is precisely what sets this copycat recipe apart, mimicking the depth of flavor you’d find in a restaurant dish. The combination of savory beef and just the right amount of heat adds an exciting dimension that pairs perfectly with the sweet roasted red peppers and the richness of the cheese. We are truly huge Johnsonville fans in this house, and I confidently stand by every single product they offer!
Assembling Your Masterpiece: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this Copycat Olive Garden flatbread pizza is a straightforward process, designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. Here’s how you bring it all together:
- Prepare Your Crust: Begin by taking your chosen flatbread crust. Many flatbreads benefit from a brief pre-bake to ensure they get nice and crispy underneath. Follow the package directions, but typically, just a few minutes in a hot oven will do the trick. This step helps prevent a soggy crust, ensuring a delightful texture in every bite.
- Layer the Flavors: Once your flatbread is lightly pre-baked, it’s time to start layering. Spread a generous amount of your favorite marinara sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a small border for the edges.
- Add Your Toppings: Now for the good stuff! Arrange slices of savory pepperoni across the marinara. Next, scatter those beautifully roasted red peppers – their sweetness provides a lovely contrast to the other ingredients. Then, distribute the pre-cooked Johnsonville Beef Hot Links, sliced into convenient chunks, ensuring every bite gets some of that incredible spicy flavor.
- Cheese Please! Finally, generously sprinkle your Italian cheese blend (or any favorite cheese that melts well) over all the toppings. Don’t be shy; the cheese will melt into a bubbly, golden blanket of deliciousness.
- Final Bake: Pop your loaded flatbread back into the oven. Bake it until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly, and the crust edges are golden brown and crisp. This usually takes only about 4-8 minutes, depending on your oven and flatbread thickness.
- Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley not only adds a burst of color but also a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the entire dish. Slice it up, and BAM – a sensational dinner is served! This quick and easy flatbread is truly a fantastic option for any night of the week when you need a delicious meal in a hurry.
For more fantastic and easy dinner ideas featuring Johnsonville products, be sure to follow them on their social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. You’ll find a wealth of inspiration for making weeknight meals exciting and simple!
Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Pepperoni & Sausage Flatbread Pizza
Copycat Olive Garden Pepperoni & Sausage Flatbread Pizza
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Ingredients
- Flatbread (we recommend FlatOut flatbread pizza crust for optimal crispiness)
- 1/4 Red Pepper (sliced thin for quick roasting)
- 1 Johnsonville Beef Hot Link (pre-cooked for convenience, sliced into bite-sized chunks)
- 3 Tbsp. Marinara Sauce (your favorite store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup Italian Cheese Blend (or a mix of mozzarella and provolone for best melt)
- Pepperoni (as much or as little as you like!)
- Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). This ensures even cooking and a perfectly crispy crust.
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Place the thinly sliced red peppers on a baking sheet. Once the oven is preheated, put them in and roast until they are crisp-tender, turning them frequently to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. This step enhances their natural sweetness.
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While the peppers are roasting, prepare your Johnsonville Beef Hot Link(s). Heat them on the stovetop in a covered saucepan with about 1/2 inch of water over low heat until they are thoroughly heated through. Since they are pre-cooked, this should take no more than 10 minutes. Once warmed, remove them and carefully cut into bite-sized chunks.
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Remove the roasted peppers from the baking sheet. Now, place your flatbread crust directly onto the same baking sheet. Pre-bake the flatbread for 2 minutes, or follow the specific directions provided on your flatbread package. This step is crucial for achieving a perfectly crisp base.
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Carefully pull the flatbread out of the oven. Generously spread your marinara sauce over the pre-baked crust. Then, arrange the pepperoni slices, the cooked Johnsonville sausage chunks, the roasted red peppers, and finally, sprinkle with your Italian cheese blend. Return the flatbread to the oven and bake for another 4-8 minutes, or according to your flatbread crust’s package directions, until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbling, and the crust is golden and crisp.
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Once baked to perfection, remove the flatbread from the oven. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Slice into individual portions and serve immediately. Enjoy this incredibly easy and delicious homemade pizza!
More Delicious Johnsonville Sausage Recipes for Quick Meals
The versatility of Johnsonville sausage makes it a fantastic ingredient to keep on hand for a variety of meals beyond this incredible flatbread pizza. Its pre-cooked nature and rich flavor mean it can elevate everything from hearty chilis to convenient breakfast options. If you’re looking for more ways to incorporate this family favorite into your cooking routine, here are a few more recipe ideas that utilize Johnsonville sausage to create quick, satisfying, and flavorful dishes:
Explore other great recipes featuring Johnsonville Sausage:
Sausage Lentil Chili
Egg & Sausage Freezer Breakfast Burritos
Egg & Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Make Weeknight Dinners a Breeze with This Flatbread Pizza!
In conclusion, this Copycat Olive Garden Pepperoni & Sausage Flatbread Pizza is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for those nights when you crave something special but are short on time. It perfectly balances the desire for restaurant-inspired flavors with the practicality of a quick, homemade meal. The combination of a crispy flatbread crust, rich marinara, sweet roasted red peppers, classic pepperoni, and the star power of Johnsonville Beef Hot Links creates a symphony of tastes that will have everyone asking for seconds. Its simplicity, coupled with its incredible flavor, truly makes it a weeknight winner and, dare I say, an improvement on the original inspiration.
Whether you’re celebrating a big win, hosting a casual get-together, or simply looking for a delicious and easy dinner, this flatbread pizza ticks all the boxes. Give it a try, and prepare to be amazed at how quickly you can create a culinary masterpiece that tastes like it came straight from your favorite Italian restaurant. Happy cooking!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville. The opinions and text are all mine.