Giada De Laurentiis - Caramelized Onion, Sausage and Basil Pizza

Caramelized Onion, Sausage and Basil Pizza

4 to 6 servings


Vegetable oil cooking sprayvegetable cooking spray1 Cornmeal for dustingcornmeal1
Onions 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oilextra-virgin olive oil3 2 medium sweet onions (about 1 ½ pounds), such as Maui or Walla Walla, thinly slicedonion(s), sweet2 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegarbalsamic vinegar1 ½ teaspoon kosher saltkosher salt½ ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepperfreshly ground black pepper¼
Dough Flour for dustingall purpose flour1 1 (1-pound) ball store-bought pizza doughpizza dough1 Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushingextra-virgin olive oil1
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oilextra-virgin olive oil1 1 pound spicy turkey or pork sausage, casings removed, crumbledspicy turkey or pork sausage1 Salt and freshly ground black pepper1 ¾ cup (3 ounces) crumbled gorgonzola or blue cheesegorgonzola cheese¾ ¼ cup chopped fresh basilbasil¼


Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and another rack in the upper 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Spray a heavy baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Sprinkle another heavy baking sheet (without sides) with cornmeal. Set aside.
Onions In a large bowl, toss the oil, onions, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper together until coated. Arrange in a single layer on the oiled baking sheet. Bake in the upper 1/3 of the oven for 25 minutes until golden. Cool slightly.
Dough On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough into a 13-inch diameter circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Transfer the dough to the baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the dough with olive oil. Bake at the same time as the onions, in the center of the oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the crust is crisp and lightly browned.
While the onions cook, in a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and season with salt and pepper. Cook, using a wooden spoon to break up the sausage, until cooked through, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. Spread the onions evenly over the dough leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle the cooked sausage and cheese on top. Bake for 5 minutes until the cheese starts to melt and turns golden. Sprinkle with chopped basil. Cut the pizza into wedges and serve.