Caramelized Onion and Italian Sausage Pizza

Ingredients

• Pizza dough (1 pound)
• Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
• Onion (1 large, thinly sliced)
• Italian sausage (1/2 pound, crumbled)
• Pizza sauce (1/2 cup)
• Mozzarella cheese (1 cup, shredded)
• Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup, freshly grated)
• Fresh basil leaves (1/4 cup, chopped)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté until they are caramelized and golden brown, about 10 minutes.
3. Remove the onions from the skillet and set them aside. In the same skillet, cook the crumbled Italian sausage until it is fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
4. On a floured surface, roll out your pizza dough to your desired thickness. If you don't have a pizza stone, place the rolled dough onto a baking sheet.
5. Spread the pizza sauce evenly across the surface of the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
6. Top the sauce with the caramelized onions and cooked sausage. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the toppings.
7. Add a generous dusting of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Scatter the chopped fresh basil across the top of the pizza. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
9. Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your journey to Italy!