The American sausage topping seasoned with paprika and chili peppers is pepperoni.
Pepperoni is an American variety of spicy salami, usually made from cured pork or a pork-and-beef mixture. Paprika and chili peppers provide its characteristic red color, savory flavor and moderate heat. It became especially popular as a pizza topping in American pizzerias, where thin slices release flavorful fat as they cook.
Although pepperoni resembles southern European salamis such as soppressata, it is not simply the American name for an Italian sausage. The word is related to the Italian peperoni, meaning peppers, while peperoncino refers to a chili pepper. Pepperoni itself developed as an American food and is not a standard traditional Italian pizza topping.
Another common point of confusion is its texture after baking. Natural-casing slices can curl into cups and develop charred edges, while many commercial slices remain flat. Turkey versions are also sold, but they must be labeled accordingly in the United States.