Save This hearty breakfast pizza combines the comfort of creamy sausage gravy with fluffy scrambled eggs and melted cheese on a golden crust. It's my go-to recipe when hosting weekend brunch gatherings, bringing together classic breakfast flavors in an unexpected and delicious format.
I created this recipe after a memorable stay at a country bed and breakfast where they served something similar. My family was so impressed when I recreated it at home that it's now our traditional Christmas morning breakfast while opening gifts.
Ingredients
- Pizza dough: store bought saves time but homemade adds wonderful flavor and texture if you have an extra 30 minutes
- Breakfast sausage: choose a high quality brand with visible spices for the best flavor profile
- Butter: unsalted allows you to control the seasoning in your gravy
- All purpose flour: creates the perfect thickness for your gravy base
- Whole milk: provides richness that makes the gravy creamy and luxurious
- Black pepper: freshly ground offers more pronounced flavor than pre ground
- Eggs: farm fresh will give you the brightest yellow scrambled eggs
- Cheddar cheese: sharp varieties add more flavor depth to complement the savory gravy
- Mozzarella cheese: creates that perfect stretchy cheese pull when serving
- Fresh chives: their mild onion flavor cuts through the richness of the dish
Instructions
- Prepare The Crust:
- Roll out your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until it's about 12 inches in diameter and approximately 1/4 inch thick. Transfer to your baking sheet or pizza stone. For the best results, let the dough come to room temperature before rolling, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Make The Sausage Gravy:
- Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes until no pink remains. Remove the cooked sausage with a slotted spoon, leaving behind about 2 tablespoons of drippings. These drippings are essential for flavor development in your gravy.
- Create The Roux:
- Add butter to the sausage drippings and melt completely. Sprinkle in the flour while continuously whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Cook this mixture for a full minute until it becomes slightly golden and smells nutty. This cooking step eliminates the raw flour taste.
- Develop The Gravy:
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly. This slow addition prevents lumps and creates a silky texture. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently as it thickens. This will take 3 to 4 minutes until the gravy coats the back of a spoon.
- Finish The Gravy:
- Return the cooked sausage to the gravy mixture, stirring to combine. Add salt and pepper, tasting as you go to ensure perfect seasoning. The gravy should be thick enough to spread on the pizza but not so thick it becomes pasty.
- Prepare The Eggs:
- Whisk the eggs with milk until well blended. Melt butter in a nonstick pan over medium low heat. Pour in the egg mixture and use a spatula to gently push the eggs from the edges toward the center as they cook. Remove from heat when they're still slightly glossy and soft, as they'll continue cooking on the pizza.
- Assemble The Pizza:
- Spread the sausage gravy evenly across the pizza dough, leaving a half inch border around the edges for a proper crust. Distribute the scrambled eggs evenly over the gravy layer. Sprinkle both cheeses across the top, ensuring even coverage.
- Bake To Perfection:
- Place the pizza in your preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Look for a golden brown crust and bubbly, slightly browned cheese. The bottom of the crust should be crisp enough to hold the toppings when sliced.
Save The breakfast sausage is truly the star ingredient in this recipe. I discovered that using a sage flavored variety adds an aromatic quality that elevates the entire dish. My nephew who claimed to dislike breakfast foods actually requested seconds of this pizza, which has become our little family joke whenever I make it now.
Make Ahead Options
This breakfast pizza works wonderfully as a make ahead meal. You can prepare the sausage gravy up to two days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to use, gently reheat it, adding a splash of milk if needed to reach the right consistency. The scrambled eggs are best made fresh, but you can have them prepped and ready to cook just before assembly. You can even roll out the dough and store it covered in the refrigerator overnight for quicker morning assembly.
Creative Variations
The basic recipe provides an excellent canvas for customization. For a southwestern twist, add a layer of salsa between the gravy and eggs, then top with pepper jack cheese and fresh cilantro after baking. Create a meat lovers version by adding crumbled bacon and diced ham along with the sausage. For a vegetarian option, substitute the meat sausage with plant based sausage crumbles and use vegetable stock in your gravy base. My personal favorite variation includes caramelized onions and roasted red peppers scattered over the eggs before adding the cheese.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty breakfast pizza pairs beautifully with light, fresh sides. Serve with a simple fruit salad dressed with honey and lime juice for a sweet contrast to the savory pizza. A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette adds a peppery, refreshing element to balance the richness. For a complete brunch spread, offer mimosas or a spicy Bloody Mary alongside. When serving for a crowd, consider cutting into smaller squares rather than traditional pizza slices for easier handling at buffet style gatherings.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your gravy seems too thick, simply whisk in additional milk, one tablespoon at a time, until reaching desired consistency. Should your gravy develop lumps, strain it through a fine mesh sieve before adding the sausage back in. If the pizza crust is browning too quickly while baking, cover the edges with aluminum foil to prevent burning. For a crispier bottom crust, consider par baking the dough for 5 minutes before adding toppings. When reheating leftovers, use a skillet or oven rather than microwave to maintain the crust texture.
Save Allow your pizza to rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing to let the cheese set slightly and make serving cleaner. Use a pizza wheel rather than a knife for cleaner cuts through the toppings.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I use homemade pizza dough?
Yes, homemade dough works well. Ensure it’s rolled out to about 12 inches for proper baking.
- → What kind of sausage is best?
Breakfast pork sausage is classic, but turkey sausage makes a lighter option without sacrificing flavor.
- → How can I store leftovers?
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven to crisp the crust.
- → Can I add extra toppings?
Absolutely! Jalapeños, mushrooms, or bell peppers add flavor and texture to the final dish.
- → Is this suitable for vegetarians?
No, as it contains sausage and eggs. For a vegetarian version, use plant-based sausage and omit eggs if needed.