A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Homemade Dough Tomato Sauce Country Sausage & Pepper Pizza [caption id="attachment_200907" align="alignright" width="300"] Credit Enabled[/caption] Homemade Dough Yield: 1 large pizza crust (8 servings). 1 cup warm water (approximately 105°)

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Homemade Dough Tomato Sauce Country Sausage & Pepper Pizza [caption id="attachment_200907" align="alignright" width="300"] Credit Enabled[/caption] Homemade Dough Yield: 1 large pizza crust (8 servings). 1 cup warm water (approximately 105°)

Country Sausage & Pepper Pizza

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Country sausage and pepper pizza


Pizza dough

photograph by Matt Hulsman

Homemade Dough

Yield: 1 large pizza crust (8 servings).

1 cup warm water (approximately 105°)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 to 2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes or until water becomes frothy and bubbles form. Gradually stir in olive oil. Add salt and 2 cups of flour; mix with a spatula until a ball begins to form (dough will still be slightly sticky). Add more flour as needed to form a ball.

Transfer to a floured surface and knead into a smooth dough, adding up to ½ cup extra flour if needed.

Return dough to bowl and cover with a warm, damp tea towel. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour before baking.

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spoon of tomato sauce

photograph by Matt Hulsman

Tomato Sauce

Yield: 2½ cups.

1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ tablespoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar

In a medium bowl, whisk together tomato paste and sauce. Stir in remaining ingredients until well combined. Store in the refrigerator in a glass jar with a lid for up to 5 days. To freeze, portion sauce into zip-top freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.

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Country Sausage and pepper pizza

photograph by Matt Hulsman

Country Sausage & Pepper Pizza

Yield: 1 (12- to 14-inch) pizza.

1 large pizza dough
¾ cup pizza sauce
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into small chunks
½ pound ground country sausage, hot or mild, cooked until brown and drained
½ cup pickled mild banana peppers, sliced
2 tablespoons pimiento peppers, drained
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500°.

Place dough on parchment paper lightly greased with cooking spray. Grease hands with olive oil and stretch the dough into a 12- to 14-inch circle. Add sauce and spread evenly, leaving a ½-inch of crust. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over sauce, followed by sausage, peppers, and pimientos. Sprinkle cheddar on top.

Place pizza and parchment onto stone and cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven; slice and serve.

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This story was published on Aug 12, 2025

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells gained a fond respect and interest in cooking from her mother and Aunt Addie at the age of 8 in North Carolina. During college, Wells worked in a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to family- owned. After graduating from UNC Greensboro with a degree in nutrition management and hospitality, Wells began a 21-year career in the nutrition department at Cone Health. In 2014, Wells started Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef Service, an in-home cooking experience for private clients, which continues today. Wells is also a food writer, food stylist, culinary consultant, and the recipe developer/writer for Our State.