Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

awesome italian braided pizza

Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
Wichita, KS

Over the years, I’ve used this type of braiding technique for savory and for sweet recipes, so I thought I would give it a try for a braided pizza… I wasn’t disappointed, and neither were my houseguests. This similar to one that we used at a restaurant I worked at in Naples, Italy. It was mostly for the American tourists, who expected their “authentic” Italian pizza to be made just like they had it in America. LOL I made three of these, for our movie night and I had just enough time to photograph them before they were gone. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

yield 6 serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For awesome italian braided pizza

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • 1 lg
    pizza crust, homemade or store bought
  • 1/4 c
    pizza sauce, homemade or store bought
  • 1/2 lb
    italian sausage, mild or hot, your choice
  • 12 slice
    pepperoni, or more
  • 6 slice
    ham, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 c
    cheese, your choice

How To Make awesome italian braided pizza

  • 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • 2
    Gather and prep your ingredients.
  • 3
    Add the Italian sausage to a skillet, over medium heat.
  • 4
    Cook until browned, about 10 to 12 minutes.
  • 5
    Remove from skillet and thoroughly drain on paper towels.
  • 6
    Chef’s Note: Make sure that the sausage is completely drained.
  • 7
    Chef’s Tip: To remove as much grease from the pepperoni as possible, I place them on a paper towel and put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds. The paper towel will absorb most of the oil.
  • 8
    Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 350f (175c)
  • 9
    Add a piece of parchment paper to a large baking sheet, and lightly dust with some flour.
  • 10
    Roll out your pizza-crust dough to a 10 by 15 inch (25 by 40cm) rectangle.
  • 11
    Chef’s Note: I use my own homemade pizza crust, but choose your favorite dough and go for it.
  • 12
    Cut slices into the pizza crust about 1 inch thick by three inches deep.
  • 13
    Lay the ham on the bottom of the pizza crust.
  • 14
    Add the Italian sausage.
  • 15
    Add the pizza sauce in a layer on top of the sausage.
  • 16
    Add some pepperoni.
  • 17
    Add a layer of cheese.
  • 18
    Braid the dish by placing one of the cut pieces over and on top of the other.
  • 19
    This is what the completed braided pizza should look like.
  • 20
    Brush the top of the braid with some oil, and sprinkle on a few herbs of your choice.
  • 21
    Add some cheese and pepperoni to the top of the braid.
  • 22
    Place the braided pizza into the preheated oven.
  • 23
    Allow to bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
  • 24
    Plate/Present
  • 25
    Cut into thick slices and serve while still nice and warm. Enjoy.
  • 26
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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