Short Description

A fun and flavorful twist on pizza—a buttery, garlic-gilded braid filled with Italian sausage, pepperoni, vegetables, mozzarella, and pizza sauce, all wrapped in a flaky family-size crust. It’s shareable, impressive, and perfect for pizza night.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fun presentation: The braided design makes it visually appealing and easy to slice into individual servings.
Loaded with flavor: Combines savory sausage and pepperoni with veggies and gooey cheese.
Quick & convenient: Uses a ready-made family-size pizza crust, so no dough prep required.
Ideal for sharing: Great for gatherings, game days, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Dough

1 family-size pizza crust (e.g., Jus-Rol™)

Fillings

8 oz ground Italian sausage
3 oz pepperoni slices
½ cup pizza sauce
¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
¼ cup black olives, sliced
¼ cup red onion, diced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Garlic‑Parsley Butter

½ cup unsalted butter
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
Cook the sausage: Brown Italian sausage in a skillet until cooked through, then set aside.
Prepare the dough: Unroll the pizza crust on its baking paper, dough side up, oriented vertically.
Cut the braid strips: Visually divide the crust into thirds. Leave the center third uncut for filling, and make 1-inch horizontal cuts on the left and right thirds to create even strips.
Add the filling: In the center section, layer pepperoni, cooked sausage, green peppers, olives, red onion, pizza sauce, and mozzarella. Use as much or as little as you like.
Form the braid: Starting at the end nearest you, fold alternating strips over the filling toward the center, overlapping like a braid until complete.
Make garlic‑parsley butter: Microwave butter, garlic, and parsley for 15 seconds, stir, and brush generously over the top of the braid.
Bake: Keep the crust on its baking paper, transfer to a baking sheet, and bake for 25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Serve: Remove, cool slightly, slice into pieces, and enjoy warm.

Servings and Timing

Serves: 6–8 (depending on slice size)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: Approximately 40 minutes

Variations

Spicy sausage upgrade: Use spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes to the seasoning.
Veggie‑packed: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach to the filling.
Cheese mix: Use a combination of mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar for melty variety.
Herbed crust: Sprinkle Italian seasoning or dried oregano on top before baking.
Dipping sauces: Serve with extra pizza sauce, ranch, or garlic butter for dipping.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Once cooled, wrap leftovers in foil or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Reheating: Reheat in a 350 °F oven for 8–10 minutes until warmed and the crust is crispy.
Freezing: Assemble but don’t bake the braid, wrap in plastic and foil, and freeze. Bake from frozen at 375 °F for 30–35 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I use homemade pizza dough?

Yes—roll into a rectangle and cut braid strips before adding the filling.

2. Do I need to pre-bake the crust?

No—baking it straight with the braid gives a perfectly flaky and golden result.

3. Can I assemble it ahead of time?

Absolutely—prepare the braid, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before baking.

4. Can I add more cheese?

Yes—feel free to pile on shredded or fresh sliced cheeses, just monitor melt and bake time.

5. Is reheated braid as good as fresh?

Yes—oven reheating restores its crusty exterior and warm fillings beautifully.

6. Can I make a double braid?

Use two crusts side by side to create a larger braid—adjust filling and bake time accordingly.

7. What’s the best baking sheet to use?

A rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper helps with easy removal and cleanup.

8. Can I bake in a convection oven?

Yes—set to 350 °F and bake for about 20–22 minutes, watching for doneness.

9. Vegetarian option?

Skip the sausage and pepperoni; add extra veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or artichokes instead.

10. Can I use small crusts?

Yes—use smaller pizza dough, braid the edges for a mini version; bake for around 18–20 minutes.

Conclusion

The Supreme Pizza Braid turns pizza night into a creative feast—easy to prepare, visually striking, and full of bold flavors and melty cheese. Great for family dinners or gatherings, it delivers all the taste of a classic supreme pizza in braided, portable form. Enjoy the fun twist on a favorite comfort food!

Ezabella