Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Hey there, pizza lovers! Are you craving a delicious, cheesy, and flavorful pepperoni pizza without breaking the bank or leaving your home? This easy homemade pepperoni pizza recipe is perfect for a cozy night in, a quick dinner fix, or even a fun family bonding activity.

Imagine the aroma of freshly baked dough, savory tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese filling your kitchen. Now, picture sinking your teeth into a crispy, golden-brown crust topped with juicy pepperonis and gooey strings of cheese. Sounds amazing, right? With this simple recipe, you’ll be able to create a mouthwatering pepperoni pizza that’ll satisfy your cravings and impress your loved ones.
Let’s get started!

photo of a Pepperoni Pizza on a plate

Pepperoni Pizza Recipe

This homemade pepperoni pizza recipe yields a 9-inch pie with a crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and a generous helping of melty mozzarella cheese and pepperonis. It’s an ideal weeknight dinner, perfect for serving a small group of friends or family members.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 4
Calories 260 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Kitchen scale (optional)
  • Stand mixer or handheld electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Pizza stone or baking tray
  • Oven
  • Pizza Cutter
  • Plate or cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. pizza dough homemade or store-bought
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 8 oz. mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 16 slices pepperoni
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves chopped (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Step 1 – Preheat Your Oven
    Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a pizza stone or baking tray inside the oven to preheat as well. While the oven is preheating, oil your cake pan with olive oil.
  • Step 2 – Roll Out the Dough
    Roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness. For a classic pepperoni pizza, aim for about 1/4 inch (6 mm). Place the rolled-out dough onto a lightly floured surface or a piece of parchment paper.
  • Step 3 – Spread Tomato Sauce
    Spread a layer of tomato sauce across the dough, leaving about 1/2 inch (1 cm) around the edges.
  • Step 4 – Sprinkle Cheese & Pepperoni
    Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the tomato sauce. Arrange pepperoni slices on top of the cheese, right to the edge.
  • Step 5 – Season & Bake
    Season the pizza with salt to taste. Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking tray. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Step 6 – Let it cool a bit
    After your pizza is all cooked and ready, you gotta let it cool down for 2 minutes before taking it out of the pan. Just grab a little spatula and carefully slide the pizza onto a cutting board. It should come out pretty easily since we greased the pans nicely. These pizzas are gonna be light, thin, and chewy. The sauce and cheese spread all the way to the edge, so you'll get a yummy salty cheese crust. The bottom should be a nice golden brown and super crispy. Now, go ahead and dig in! Enjoy every bite!

Notes

Nutritional Facts:
Per slice (based on 6 servings):
Calories: 260
Protein: 10 g
Fat: 12 g
Carbohydrates: 34 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 350 mg
Keyword pepperoni, pizza
homemade pepperoni pizza slice

Now that you have this fantastic pepperoni pizza recipe, you’re ready to impress your loved ones or enjoy a satisfying meal on your own. Whether it’s a casual dinner party, movie night, or a quick fix for a rumbling stomach.
This pepperoni pizza recipe is perfect for:

  • A cozy night in with the family
  • Quick dinner fix during a busy workweek
  • Casual dinner party with friends
  • Movie night snack
  • Game day celebration
  • Potluck contribution
  • Weekend meal prep

Recommended Pairing Drink:

For this pepperoni pizza, we recommend pairing it with a refreshing glass of Pinot Grigio, a crisp and citrusy white wine that complements the rich flavors of the pizza without overpowering them.
Alternatively, a cold beer or sparkling water with lemon or lime can also hit the spot.

Useful Tips:

  • For a crisper crust, make sure to preheat your oven and pizza stone or baking tray for at least 30 minutes.
  • Use a pizza peel or a piece of parchment paper to transfer the pizza to the oven for easier handling.
  • Leftover pizza can be stored in an airtight container and reheated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or oven.
  • Experiment with different toppings like sausage, bell peppers, olives, or mushrooms for a unique twist.
  • If using store-bought dough, follow the package instructions for thawing and rising.
  • For a crunchier crust, sprinkle a little bit of cornmeal onto the pizza peel or cutting board before transferring the dough.
  • Consider investing in a pizza stone for your oven, as it helps to distribute heat evenly and enhance the crust’s texture.

FAQs:

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with various types of cheese, like provolone, cheddar, or a blend. Keep in mind that mozzarella has a higher melting point, which helps create a creamy, stretchy texture.

How do I make my own pizza dough?

If you want to make you own dough, see recipe below.

Can I cook the pizza on a regular baking sheet?

While a pizza stone or baking tray is recommended for optimal results, you can still achieve a decent pizza on a regular baking sheet. Just be aware that the cooking time may vary, and the crust might not turn out as crispy.

How do I prevent my crust from becoming soggy?

Make sure to pre-bake the crust for 2-3 minutes before adding toppings. This creates a barrier between the dough and the moisture from the sauce and cheese.

Can I add toppings besides pepperoni?

Of course! Get creative with vegetables, meats, herbs, or spices to suit your taste preferences. Some popular choices include mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, sausage, bacon, olives, artichokes, or anchovies.

Now that you have our Classic Pepperoni Pizza recipe, you’ll never have to rely on takeout again! 🍕 Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your loved ones, or a group of friends, this dish is sure to satisfy.
Its inviting aroma and flavors will transport you to a cozy, carefree atmosphere, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, game day parties, or movie nights. Go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy the delicious simplicity of a homemade Pepperoni Pizza! 👌

photo of sliced pepperoni pizza
photo of Mixing pizza dough

Making Your Pizza Dough

Let’s Make Some Dough! this recipe makes dough for 4 pizzas, freeze and use as needed.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Rest 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dough
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 pizzas

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g All purpose flour unbleached
  • 16 g Kosher or Sea Salt
  • 1 g Instant Dry Yeast
  • 350 g Water

Instructions
 

  • First, grab a bowl that's just right for mixing. In the bowl, put in some flour, salt, and yeast. Mix them all together with a wooden spoon. Slowly pour in some water while you keep stirring. Mix until the consistency of your dough starts to look ‘shaggy’.
  • Now, it’s time to let the dough rest. Leave it alone for about 15-20 minutes.
  • While you wait, put a little bit of oil on your hands. Then, pick up the dough and fold it over itself four times. Put the dough in the bowl, with the folded part facing down. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
  • Leave the covered dough alone for a whole day, about 24 hours. It should get bigger (about twice the original size) and you might see some bubbles.
  • Next, find a cutting board or a counter top and sprinkle a little bit of flour on it. Take the dough and divide it into four equal parts. You can use a knife or kitchen scissors to do this.
  • Now, put some oil on your hands again. Take each piece of dough and fold it over itself four times, from top to bottom and side to side. This will make them into little dough balls.
    photo of Pizza dough ball
  • Put the dough balls into plastic food containers that have a little bit of oil on them. If you don’t have containers, you can use Ziploc bags instead.
  • Put the containers with the dough balls in the fridge for two whole days, about 48 hours. When you’re ready to use the dough, take it out of the fridge at least one hour before. This will let it warm up to room temperature and make it easier to work with.
Keyword pizza dough

Want to easily make your own tomato sauce? Here you go:

photo of tomato sauce
Print

Let’s Make Your Tomato Sauce!

Materials

  • 1 can 796ml of whole or diced tomatoes (no salt added) Kosher or Sea Salt to taste
  • 6 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp of White Sugar
  • 1 tsp of MSG

Instructions

  • First, grab a can of tomatoes and pour out the juice.
  • Next, put the tomatoes into a tall container that looks like a cylinder.
  • Now, it’s time to add some flavor! Sprinkle in some salt, sugar, MSG (if you have it), and a bit of olive oil.
  • Give it a good stir and take a little taste. If it needs more of something, go ahead and add it.
  • Once you’re happy with how it tastes, it’s time to blend everything together. You can use a hand mixer or an immersion blender, whichever you have.
  • If you don’t have those, no worries! You can also use a blender like a Vita mix. Just pulse it a few times until it becomes smooth and creamy.
  • And voila! Your sauce is now ready to use. Enjoy!
Please share, thank you!