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Nana’s Sausage Bread

This sausage bread recipe is my version of my Nana’s Sausage Bread! Refrigerated pizza dough is loaded with a flavorful filling made up of spicy sausage, ricotta, parmesan, and egg, then baked until soft, puffy, and golden.

overhead of sausage bread slices on a cutting board

Easy Sausage Bread Recipe

I’m so excited to share my Nana’s Sausage Bread recipe! This was a staple in her house when we were kids, especially during the holidays.

While this recipe holds a special place in my heart for a couple of different reasons, it’s also just incredibly good. This recipe takes just 30 minutes to prepare and makes for a great appetizer, entree, snack, or even breakfast or brunch. It’s also super easy to transport which makes it great for parties.

Ingredients for Sausage Bread

This sausage bread recipe is made up of simple and accessible ingredients!

  • Refrigerated Pizza Dough– I used Pillsbury
  • Italian Sausage – I use spicy Italian sausage, which I think has the best flavor, but any ground sausage with work
  • Ricotta Cheese – be sure to drain the ricotta before cooking it with the eggs.
  • Eggs
  • Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese – Nana’s original recipe called for Romano cheese, but I swapped that out for parmesan for a different flavor. You can go either way!
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Butter – brushing melted butter on top of the sausage bread gives it that delicious golden color.
  • Garlic Salt

What’s The Best Kind of Sausage to Use?

I like to use spicy Italian sausage for this recipe, because I love the flavor it adds, but any type of ground sausage will work.

overhead of sausage Bread ingredients on the counter

How to Make Sausage Bread

  1. Roll the dough: Use a rolling pin to roll the pizza dough onto a baking pat or parchment paper. It should group about 1.5x its original size.
a square of pizza dough rolled out on a piece of parchment paper

2. Cook the sausage: In a large skillet, cook the sausage until browned and crispy, then drain the excess grease and set aside.

cooked Italian sausage in a skillet from above

3. Make the filling: Drain the ricotta, then cook it over medium-high heat to allow excess water to evaporate. Add in the eggs and cook until scrambled. Season with salt and pepper, then add in the cheese and stir until the cheese is melted.

4. Assemble: Spread the egg and cheese mixture over the thinned-out dough, then sprinkle evenly with cooked sausage.

5. Roll: Starting on the outside edge, fold the edges in and then roll it into a log.

overhead of pizza dough filled with sausage and egg filling being rolled

6. Bake: Transfer the parchment paper or baking pat to a baking sheet, brush the top with melted butter, and sprinkle with garlic salt and additional parmesan. Bake at 375ºF for 30-35 minutes, covering with foil after 10 minutes to prevent from over-browning.

pizza dough being brushed with butter

Recipe Tips

  • Don’t over roll the dough: If you start to see thin spots or any tearing, do not roll it out anymore, this will make it difficult to roll the final dough once you add the toppings.
  • Drain the cheese! This helps to prevent a soggy crust and no one likes soggy sausage bread.
  • Cover with foil. Check the sausage bread periodically. If the top of the roll is browning too quickly, cover it with foil so it doesn’t burn.
  • Add veggies. Feel free to customize this recipe a bit and add whatever veggies you like to the filling. Try with diced peppers, onions or mushroom.

What to Serve with It

This sausage bread makes a great entree, appetizer, or even breakfast or brunch recipe!

  • Add some Sauce:I love to serve it with pizza or spaghetti sauce for dipping
  • Make it a meal: Serve with a side of roasted veggies, a simple salad, or even a bowl of soup.
overhead of sausage bread slices on a cutting board

Can I Prepare This Ahead of Time?

Once the sausage bread is assembled, it’s best to bake it right away. However, you can prep ahead of time by making the filling in advance. It will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

How to Store Leftover Bread

Leftover sausage bread will last in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store in an airtight container.

How to Reheat Sausage Bread

It is best to reheat this bread in an oven that’s been preheated to 400°F. While the oven is preheating, take your dough out of the fridge. Heat for 10-15 minutes until the filling is warm. You can cover with foil to help prevent the crust from cooking again. 

a slice of sausage bread being dipped into a small bowl of pizza sauce
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closeup of a sausage bread roll on a cutting board from the side

Nana’s Sausage Bread

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  • Author: Julianne Dell
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 slices
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Nana’s Sausage bread is a pizza dough stuffed with spicy sausage, ricotta, parmesan and egg filling. Serve with a warm with pizza sauce. Perfect for parties or even breakfast!


Ingredients

  • 1 loaf refrigerated pizza dough (13.8oz)
  • 1 lb ground spicy Italian sausage
  • 8 ounces ricotta cheese, drained
  • 4 large eggs, scrambled
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Garlic Salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Roll the pizza dough flat onto parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Use a rolling pin to thin the dough out, especially near the edges. The dough should group about 1.5x the original size.
  3. Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned and slightly crispy on the edges, chopping into smaller pieces as it cooks. Drain excess grease and set aside to cool.
  4. Drain the ricotta and cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat, allowing the excess water to evaporate.
  5. As the ricotta is cooking, add the scrambled eggs, mixing with the ricotta and continue heating until the eggs are cooked and season with salt and pepper.
  6. Finally, add the mozzarella and parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese is melted. Spread the mixture over the pizza dough and then sprinkle with the cooked sausage.
  7. Starting on the outside edge, fold the edge of the pizza dough over and start to roll the dough into a log, using your hands to keep the roll tight.
  8. Transfer the parchment paper with the pizza dough onto a baking sheet . Brush the top of the dough with the melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt. Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese.
  9. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes. After 20 minutes, your dough will start to brown. Cover with aluminum foil. About 2-3 minutes prior to pulling out of the oven, sprinkle the top with about 1 tablespoons of parmesan cheese.
  10. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm. This goes great with pizza or spaghetti sauce.


Notes

  • Don’t over roll the dough: If you start to see thin spots or any tearing, do not roll it out anymore, this will make it difficult to roll the final dough once you add the toppings.
  • Add veggies. Feel free to customize this recipe a bit and add whatever veggies you like to the filling. Try with diced peppers, onions or mushrooms.
  • To Reheat: It is best to reheat this bread in an oven that’s been preheated to 400°F. While the oven is preheating, take your dough out of the fridge. Heat for 10-15 minutes until the filling is warm. You can cover with foil to help prevent the crust from cooking again. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 247
  • Sugar: 0.6 g
  • Sodium: 537.4 mg
  • Fat: 17.9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.7 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 17.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 108.7 mg

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