Wholesome whole wheat pizza crust topped with cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, mushrooms, onion, ripe olives and mozzarella cheese.

Sausage & Ham Pizza with Wheat Crust

Crust:

1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F to 115°F | 45°C)

2 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 to 2 cups all-purpose flour

 

Toppings:

1 (15-ounce) can pizza sauce

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup sliced ripe olives

1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage; cooked and drained

1 cup chopped fully-cooked ham

2 cups (8-ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in water; add oil. Combine whole wheat flour, sugar and salt; add to yeast mixture and stir until smooth. Stir in enough all-purpose flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 15 to 20 minutes. Punch dough down. Pat dough onto the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of a greased 14-inch pizza pan.
2. Combine pizza sauce and sugar; spread over crust. Sprinkle with mushrooms, onion and olives. Layer with sausage, ham and cheese.
3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is melted.

Makes 8 slices.