High-Protein Sausage + Banana Pepper Pizza

If you love a little sweet, savory, cheesy, and tangy combo, you NEED to try this pizza! I am completely obsessed with these flavors.

Last spring, I tried a Toy Story-inspired pizza from Papa Johns that was part of a special promotion for Toy Story 5. It had sausage and banana peppers, and I absolutely loved the flavor combination. Unfortunately, it was only available for a limited time—and they don't offer it anymore.

So, naturally, I had to recreate it!

And honestly? I think my homemade version might be even better. It's quick, easy, packed with protein, and makes the perfect lunch or easy dinner.

Why You'll Love This Pizza

This isn't your typical heavy pizza. I use mini thin crusts to keep it light and crispy, along with ground turkey sausage for a boost of protein without as much fat as traditional sausage.

Then we add:

• Pizza sauce
• Savory turkey sausage
• Melty mozzarella cheese
• Plenty of tangy banana peppers

The result is crispy, cheesy, savory, and full of flavor. And if you like a little extra kick, finish it with a drizzle of ranch or spicy ranch. SO GOOD!

The Secret to a Crispy Crust

One little step makes a big difference: pre-crisp your crusts before adding the toppings.

Place your mini thin crusts directly on a baking sheet and bake them at 425°F for about 2 minutes before adding your toppings.

This gives the crust a head start so you end up with a crispy, sturdy pizza instead of a soft or soggy one.

I found a high-protein mini thin crust, but you can absolutely use whatever mini pizza crust or thin crust you prefer.

Ingredients

• Mini thin pizza crusts
• Pizza sauce
• Ground turkey sausage—I used Jimmy Dean Ground Turkey Sausage
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Banana peppers
• Ranch or spicy ranch, optional

Pizza Crust

I used Golden Home Ultra-Thin Protein Pizza Crusts, which have 16g of protein per crust and come in a 3-pack—I found mine on Amazon. But feel free to use whatever crust you love! A Trader Joe’s whole wheat pita, thin pre-made pizza crust, or homemade crust would all work great.

My Favorite Part: The Banana Peppers!

Don't be shy with the banana peppers! Their tangy, slightly sweet flavor pairs SO well with the savory sausage and creamy melted mozzarella.

It's one of those combinations that sounds simple but tastes like so much more.

And if you're a spicy-food fan, spicy ranch is the way to go.

A High-Protein, Easy Lunch

These mini pizzas are perfect when you want something that feels fun and satisfying but doesn't require a lot of time in the kitchen.

They're great for:

• A quick lunch
• An easy weeknight dinner
• A family-friendly meal
• Meal prep
• A high-protein snack or mini meal

Each serving provides approximately:

329 calories | 39g protein | 16g carbohydrates | 3g fiber | 14g fat

That's a pretty satisfying pizza!

Make It Your Own

The best thing about mini pizzas is how easy they are to customize. You can switch up the toppings depending on what you have on hand.

Try adding:

• Bell peppers
• Mushrooms
• Red onion
• Jalapeños
• Black olives
• Extra banana peppers
• Parmesan cheese
• Spicy ranch

You could even make several different versions so everyone in the family can create their own pizza.

Final Thoughts

I am OBSESSED with this sausage and banana pepper combination. It brings back the flavors of that limited-time Papa Johns pizza I loved, but now I can make my own version whenever I want!

The crispy mini crust, savory turkey sausage, melty mozzarella, and tangy banana peppers are seriously the perfect combination.

Give this one a try—you might just become obsessed too!