Spicy Vodka Pizza

STEP 1: COOK (Spicy Vodka Sauce) 

Heat a medium saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage and drain excess fat. Set aside. In the same pan, add olive oil and onion. Cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Deglaze with vodka. Add tomato paste and cook 30 seconds. Reduce heat and stir in cream, chili flakes, olive oil, butter, grated Parm, and basil. Simmer 10 minutes. Set aside.

STEP 2: PESTO (Pistachio Lemon Pesto) 

Blend all pesto ingredients until mostly smooth with texture. Salt to taste and set aside.

STEP 3: BUILD 

Stretch dough to 10”. Add ~1/2 cup vodka sauce, mozzarellas, and sausage.

STEP 4: BAKE 

Pizza oven: Bake at 800–900°F for 60–90 seconds.

Alternate method (home oven + pizza steel): 

Preheat a pizza steel at 550°F for 45 minutes — position it 8–10 inches below the broiler. Build and load pizza onto the steel. Bake at 550°F for 6–7 minutes until crust begins to brown, then broil 1–2 minutes until the cheese bubbles and blisters.

STEP 5: FINISH 

Top with stracciatella and a few spoonfuls of pesto. Garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil.