Homemade Loaded 5-Cheese Pizza with Sausage and Olives

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sausage: Start by removing the casing from the Italian sausage links. Using a sharp knife or your hands, carefully peel off the casing and discard it. Next, crumble the sausage into small pieces and place it in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the sausage, stirring occasionally, until it is fully browned and cooked through. This should take about 6-8 minutes. Once done, set the cooked sausage aside to cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Toppings: While the sausage is cooking, thinly slice the onion and drain the black olives. The onions will caramelize a little as the pizza bakes, adding a nice sweetness that complements the savory sausage. The black olives provide a briny contrast to balance the richness of the cheese and sausage.
3. Assemble the Pizza: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Once the sausage is cooked and the toppings are prepared, it’s time to assemble the pizza. Start with your 16-inch frozen 5-cheese pizza as the base. Spread the thinly sliced onions evenly across the top of the pizza. Next, add the drained black olives, followed by the cooked sausage. Finally, sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top. This extra layer of cheese will melt beautifully, creating a gooey, cheesy topping.
4. Bake the Pizza: Place the prepared pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 17 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned on top. Keep an eye on the pizza toward the end of the baking time to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
5. Serve: Once the pizza is cooked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. This will help the cheese set a little, making it easier to cut and serve. Slice the pizza into 8 wedges or more, depending on your preference, and enjoy
   

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