Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
The ultimate comfort food, this Homemade Pepperoni Pizza is cheesy, crispy, and oh-so-delicious. Using fresh ingredients, you can create a mouthwatering pizza that will satisfy your cravings and impress your family. Make it tonight for an easy weeknight dinner!
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Sheet
- Chef's Knife
Ingredients
- 1 ball Pizza Dough Store-bought or homemade pizza dough, let rise on a counter 2+ hours in advance.
- 1 tbsp Flour
- 1 tsp Olive Oil
- 1.5 cups Pizza Sauce
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Pepperoni, sliced
- 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese, divided
- 2 sprigs Basil, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 475°F, placing a pizza stone on the center rack. It’s essential to have a hot surface to bake your pizza quickly, ensuring a crispy crust.
- Prepare your work surface by adding half of the flour to the center of a large cutting board or flat surface, spreading it lightly to dust the area.
- Add the remaining flour to the corner of the board to use as you stretch the dough. This will help prevent sticking.
- Take your ball of pizza dough and place it on the floured surface. Flip it over a few times to coat it with flour, which will make it easier to handle.
- Starting at the outer edge, pinch the dough in a circular motion to outline the crust. Use your knuckles to gently stretch the dough outwards while pressing it against the board. Dust with extra flour as needed.
- Once you have a nice round shape, carefully take the preheated pizza stone out of the oven. Brush half of the olive oil onto the hot stone to create a non-stick surface.
- Transfer the stretched pizza dough onto the pizza stone, brushing the remaining olive oil on the edge of the crust to give it a golden-brown color.
- Quickly add your toppings: spread the pizza sauce evenly, leaving about one inch without sauce for the crust. Sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese, followed by the pepperoni slices, and finish with half of the parmesan cheese.
- Bake your pizza in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Look for the cheese to be melted and bubbling, and the crust to be golden brown.
- Carefully remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese and fresh basil on top. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Tip 1: Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
- Tip 2: You can freeze uncooked pizza for up to two months. Just assemble it, wrap it tightly, and bake straight from the freezer.
- Tip 3: Serve with a fresh salad for a balanced meal. A Caesar or Greek salad complements pizza perfectly.
- Tip 4: Don't limit yourself to just pepperoni. Try adding veggies, different cheeses, or even fruits like pineapple!
- Tip 5: Enhance your pizza sauce with herbs like oregano or thyme for added flavor.