Classic Pepperoni Pizza
This classic Pepperoni Pizza recipe delivers a deliciously crispy crust, zesty tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and perfectly spiced pepperoni slices. Whether it's for a quick dinner or a weekend treat, this homemade pizza is bound to satisfy your cravings.
Equipment
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Rolling Pin if using homemade dough
- Pizza cutter or sharp knife
- Large mixing bowl for homemade dough
- Spoon for spreading sauce
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20-25 pepperoni slices
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
- Fresh basil leaves optional for garnish
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven:Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.2. Prepare the pizza dough (if homemade):In a large bowl, mix warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add flour, olive oil, salt, and sugar. Mix until a dough forms. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.3. Roll out the dough:On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness (approximately 12 inches for a medium pizza). Transfer it to a lightly oiled baking sheet or pizza stone.4. Assemble the pizza:Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce. Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese. Sprinkle dried oregano and crushed red pepper flakes (optional) over the pizza.5. Brush the crust:Lightly brush the crust edges with olive oil to help it turn golden and crispy in the oven.6. Bake the pizza:Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.7. Garnish and serve:Remove from the oven and allow the pizza to cool for a minute. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a thinner crust, roll out the dough thinner and adjust the bake time by reducing it by 2-3 minutes.
- Feel free to customize with additional toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives.
- For a crispier crust, bake the pizza directly on a preheated pizza stone.
- Store-bought dough works perfectly for a quicker version of this recipe, but homemade dough will offer the freshest taste.
- You can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free pizza dough.
