This is no ordinary pizza. With a smoky tomato sauce, savory sausage, and tart preserved lemons, this pizza borrows inspiration from a few delicious culinary traditions. The result is a pizza that is both colorful and packed with flavor. Smarts: Harissa can vary widely from mild to very spicy. We tested the pizza sauce with mild harissa and used a large portion to add flavor. If your harissa is on the spicy side (or isn't labeled for any particular spice level), start with a small amount and increase to taste. Cooking methods: This recipe includes instructions for using the grill or oven. Select your preferred method.
Pizza dough - Cover in flour and let rest for at least 30 minutes outside of fridge before rolling out. (Resting dough gives gluten time to chill out, which makes the dough much more pliable.)
Garlic / Onions / Preserved lemon (or zest) - (If prepping right before cooking get grill heating before continuing with prep.) Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Cook sausage and sauce - Heat a saucepan with cooking oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it apart, until sausage is cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Return pan to heat. If the pan is dry, add some more oil. Add garlic, paprika, cinnamon, tomato paste, and harissa. Cook for 1 minute. Add water while whisking to combine. Simmer until sauce is thick, ~5 minutes more. Store sausage and sauce separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Mozzarella - Thinly slice or grate.
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Preheat grill to 425F / 218C degrees, keeping one part over direct heat and one part over indirect heat.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add baby kale on top but wait to toss it until right before serving. Set aside while pizza cooks.
Spread dough out into a circle and brush one side with some oil. Place dough on grill over direct heat (oiled side down). Close lid and cook for 3 minutes. (Check out this pizza on the grill video tutorial for tips.)
Remove pizza from grill and flip over. Top grilled side of dough with sauce, mozzarella cheese, sausage, onions, and preserved lemon. If using feta, crumble over top.
Return pizza to indirect heat and continue cooking with lid closed until cheese is melted and bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes.
Just before serving, toss baby kale in dressing. You can serve the baby kale on the side and / or pile some on top of the pizza for a fresh topping.
Slice pizza and serve. Enjoy!
Prep
Pizza dough - Cover in flour and let rest for at least 30 minutes outside of fridge before rolling out. (Resting dough gives gluten time to chill out, which makes the dough much more pliable.)
Garlic / Onions / Preserved lemon (or zest) - (If prepping right before cooking get oven heating before continuing with prep.) Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Cook sausage and sauce - Heat a saucepan with cooking oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it apart, until sausage is cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Return pan to heat. If the pan is dry, add some more oil. Add garlic, paprika, cinnamon, tomato paste, and harissa. Cook for 1 minute. Add water while whisking to combine. Simmer until sauce is thick, ~5 minutes more. Store sausage and sauce separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Mozzarella - Thinly slice or grate.
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Heat oven to 425F / 218C degrees and position top rack so it’s at the very top.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add baby kale on top but wait to toss it until right before serving. Set aside while pizza cooks.
Brush a sheet pan with some oil. Using hands, stretch out pizza dough to cover sheet pan - it should be pretty easy to do if you let the dough rest. Brush dough with some oil.
Bake dough on top rack for 3 minutes without toppings. This solo time in the oven gives the dough time to crisp up; if you put toppings on now, your crust may get soggy.
Remove pizza from oven and top with sauce, mozzarella cheese, sausage, onions, and preserved lemon. If using feta, crumble over top.
Return pizza to oven and continue cooking until cheese is melted and bubbly, 8 to 12 minutes.
Just before serving, toss baby kale in dressing. You can serve the baby kale on the side and / or pile some on top of the pizza for a fresh topping.