I’ve had the idea for this pizza rolling around in my head for a while
Italian marinara sauce, thick with sausage, freshly baked eggplant parmigiana slices, and fresh mozzarella a top a basil Parmesan crust 😋
Seriously good!
Incredibly easy…
Peel and slice eggplant, salt and drain on paper towels. Dip slices in egg and Parmesan and bake for 20 minutes
While eggplant is baking, brown sausage, drain and add marinara and seasonings and simmer
Bake crust for 10 minutes
Spread pesto in an even layer over crust and top with a layer of Parmesan. Add marinara in dollops on top of cheese and use the back of a spoon to gently spread out into an even layer
Arrange baked eggplant slices on top of the marinara sauce and add mozzarella pieces. Top with some additional small dollops of marinara and bake
You won’t believe the aromas that fill your kitchen 💨
Eggplant Parmigiana, Sausage & Pesto Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 pizza crust raw or prepared {I used Pillsbury thin crust dough in a can}
- 3 cups marinara sauce jarred or homemade
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- pinch of sugar
- 1/2-3/4 lb sausage breakfast or Italian
- 1 medium eggplant
- kosher salt
- olive oil spray
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 3/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
- fresh basil for garnishing
Instructions
- Peel eggplant and slice into 1/4 inch slices. Place on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Let sit 10 minutes, turn over and let sit a few more minutes. Put egg and finely grated Parmesan into small bowls. Dip slices in egg and then finely grated parmesan to cover both sides. Lay slices on a oiled foil lined baking sheet. Spritz slices with a spray of olive oil. Bake at 400 degrees 15-20 minutes, or until soft and golden.
- Brown sausage in large saucepan. Remove and drain well on paper towels and wipe out pan. Return sausage to pan and stir in garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add marinara, sugar and Italian seasoning. Let sauce simmer for at least 15 minutes or several hours to blend flavors.
- Bake crust until almost done according to package directions. Spread baked crust with basil pesto. Top pesto with a layer of shaved Parmesan. Top with a layer of marinara sauce by putting dollops of sauce in different spots and then use the back of a spoon to spread it out. Arrange baked eggplant on top of marinara. Tear or cut mozzarella into pieces and arrange evenly on pizza. Add a few more small dollops of marinara sauce. Bake pizza at 400 for 10-12 minutes, until heated through and cheese is melted.
Next time you’re in the mood for something Italian, try this…you can eliminate the sausage and keep it vegetarian too
Enjoy!
Pizza is one of my favorite things to make. I have a Pinterest board here where you can see all the different combinations that have appeared on the Painted Apron. Pizzas are a great way to reinvent leftovers!
🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕
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Celebrate and Decorate, Rustic and Refined,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cooking and Crafting with J&J, The Scoop, A Stroll Thru Life
Tickle My Tastebuds, Wow Us Wednesday
Full Plate Thursday, Work it Wednesday
Poofing the Pillows, Get Your DIY On
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