Sausage Stuffed Pizza Pockets

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These homemade Sausage Stuffed Pizza Pockets bring together the best of Italian flavors in a convenient handheld package. Filled with savory Italian sausage, melty cheese, and fresh basil, they’re perfect for lunch boxes, game day snacks, or casual dinners.

What makes these pizza pockets special is their versatility – while this recipe features a classic Italian sausage filling, you can easily customize them with your favorite pizza toppings. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly, making them perfect for meal prep or busy weeknight dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Portable and perfect for on-the-go meals
• Freezer-friendly for make-ahead convenience
• Customizable with endless filling options
• Kid-friendly and fun to make together

What is Pizza Dough?

Pizza dough is a yeasted dough that creates a chewy yet crispy base. While this recipe works with store-bought dough, you can also make your own. Check out our guide to bread making for tips.

Ingredients

• Italian Sausage: Provides rich flavor and protein. Remove casings for easier cooking.
• Pizza Dough: Creates the perfect pocket exterior. Choose homemade or quality store-bought.
• Mozzarella: Adds classic pizza melt and stretch. Learn more about cooking with cheese.
• Fresh Basil: Brings bright, fresh flavor. See our guide to essential herbs.
• Onion and Green Pepper: Creates a savory base. Check out more ways to use onions in cooking.

Substitutions and Additions

• Meat: Try pepperoni, ground beef, or shredded chicken instead of sausage.
• Cheese: Provolone or fontina can replace mozzarella.
• Vegetables: Add mushrooms, olives, or spinach for variety.

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly brush a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.
• Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
• Add onion and pepper. Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become soft and translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.

• Add Italian sausage and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking 5-6 minutes or until sausage is cooked through and nicely browned. Remove from heat and set aside.

• Divide the pizza dough into 8 small balls and roll each ball out into 1/2-inch-thick circles.

• Add a spoon of marinara sauce in the center of the pizza circle, followed by a spoon of the sausage mixture, and finally top with cheese and fresh basil.

• Fold the dough in half on top of itself and use a fork to seal the edges.

• Repeat this process with the remaining 7 dough balls.
• Transfer the pizza pockets to the prepared baking sheet and brush with the beaten egg.

• Bake until the dough is nice golden brown and slightly puffed, approximately 20-25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes prior to serving.

• Serve with the remaining marinara as a dipping sauce.

Recipe Tips

• Roll dough thin but not too thin to prevent tears
• Don’t overfill the pockets
• Seal edges well to prevent filling leakage
• Let cool before eating to avoid hot filling burns

Serving Suggestions

Serve with extra marinara sauce for dipping. Create an Italian-inspired meal with our Mediterranean Mezze Platter or Classic Caesar Salad.

Storage & Reheating

Store cooled pizza pockets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap individually in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes or in a 375°F oven until heated through.

Recipe FAQ

Can I make these ahead and freeze them? Yes, freeze before baking. When ready to eat, brush with egg wash and bake from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.

Why is my dough hard to work with? Let refrigerated dough come to room temperature for easier handling.

Can I use different fillings? Absolutely! Just ensure fillings are pre-cooked and not too wet to prevent soggy pockets.

How do I prevent the filling from leaking? Don’t overfill and make sure to seal edges thoroughly with a fork.

Sausage Stuffed Pizza Pockets

Yield: 4 portions

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

These homemade Sausage Stuffed Pizza Pockets bring together the best of Italian flavors in a convenient handheld package. Filled with savory Italian sausage, melty cheese, and fresh basil, they're perfect for lunch boxes, game day snacks, or casual dinners.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 T. olive oil + more for brushing baking sheet
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 medium green pepper, diced 6 oz. Italian sausage, casings removed 10 oz. pizza dough, (homemade or store-bought)
• 2 c. marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded 1/2 c. fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 1 medium egg, beaten Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly brush a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.
2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
3. Add onion and pepper. Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become soft and translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Add Italian sausage and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking 5-6 minutes or until sausage is cooked through and nicely browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Divide the pizza dough into 8 small balls and roll each ball out into 1/2-inch-thick circles.
6. Add a spoon of marinara sauce in the center of the pizza circle, followed by a spoon of the sausage mixture, and finally top with cheese and fresh basil.
7. Fold the dough in half on top of itself and use a fork to seal the edges.
8. Repeat this process with the remaining 7 dough balls.
9. Transfer the pizza pockets to the prepared baking sheet and brush with the beaten egg.
10. Bake until the dough is nice golden brown and slightly puffed, approximately 20-25 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes prior to serving.
12. Serve with the remaining marinara as a dipping sauce.

Notes

Roll dough thin but not too thin to prevent tears

Don't overfill the pockets

Seal edges well to prevent filling leakage

Let cool before eating to avoid hot filling burns

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 557Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 1539mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 4gSugar: 11gProtein: 25g