1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil.
2. Cook the ground sausage, crumbling it with a wooden spoon, until it is fully browned and cooked through.
3. Add the chopped onions to the skillet and sauté until they become translucent and tender. This typically takes around 5 minutes.
4. Drain any excess fat and let the sausage and onion mixture cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine Bisquick or baking mix, shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, mayonnaise, and milk until smooth.
7. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter should be thick but spreadable.
8. Carefully fold in the cooled sausage and onion mixture, ensuring the ingredients are evenly distributed.
9. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
10. Grease a loaf pan if you’re using the Bisquick method, or prepare a baking sheet if you’re using pizza dough.
11. If using pizza dough, roll it out on a floured surface, spread the sausage mixture evenly on top, and braid or roll it into a loaf shape.
12. Transfer the dough or batter to the prepared pan or baking sheet.
13. Place the assembled bread in the oven and bake until golden brown and cooked through, which typically takes 45-50 minutes for Bisquick batter or around 20-30 minutes for pizza dough.
14. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean.
15. Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to ensure the flavors settle and the bread is easier to cut.