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Pepperoni Pizza

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Pepperoni pizza holds a special place in the hearts of pizza lovers worldwide. Its crispy crust, gooey cheese, savory sauce, and the satisfying bite of spicy pepperoni make it a go-to choice for many. Whether you prefer it traditional or enjoy experimenting with new flavors, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this iconic pizza.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Key Ingredients for Making the Perfect Pepperoni Pizza

To make a pepperoni pizza that’s as good as it gets, you need to use quality ingredients. Below are the essential ingredients for the perfect pepperoni pizza.

1. Pizza Dough

The dough is the foundation of your pizza. For a crispy, airy crust, it’s important to follow the proper technique. You can make your own dough or use store-bought dough. However, homemade dough allows you to control the texture and flavor. The dough should be soft, slightly chewy, and crispy when baked.

Ingredients for pizza dough:

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)

    • 1 tsp salt

    • 1 tsp sugar

    • 1 tsp active dry or instant yeast

    • 1 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)

    • 1 tbsp olive oil

    • A pinch of semolina flour (optional, for dusting)

2. Pizza Sauce

A great pizza starts with a flavorful sauce. Tomato sauce is the most common, and you can either buy pre-made pizza sauce or create your own from scratch. Homemade pizza sauce offers a fresher and more personalized taste. The key ingredients are crushed tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic, with a little bit of oregano for that signature pizza flavor.

Ingredients for pizza sauce:

    • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes

    • 2 tbsp olive oil

    • 1 clove garlic, minced

    • 1 tsp dried oregano

    • 1 tsp dried basil

    • Salt and pepper to taste

    • A pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

3. Mozzarella Cheese

Mozzarella cheese is a must for any pizza, thanks to its meltability and creamy texture. Fresh mozzarella, sliced thin, or shredded mozzarella can both be used, but fresh mozzarella is ideal for a richer, more flavorful pizza.

Ingredients for mozzarella topping:

    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or about 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced)

4. Pepperoni

Pepperoni is the star of the show. It’s the bold, spicy topping that gives the pizza its signature flavor. When selecting pepperoni, opt for a high-quality, thinly-sliced variety that crisps up when baked. The thin slices allow the pepperoni to render its fat and become perfectly crispy.

Ingredients for pepperoni topping:

    • 20–30 slices of pepperoni (depending on your preference)

5. Olive Oil

Olive oil adds flavor and helps achieve that golden, crispy crust. A light brush of olive oil on the pizza dough before baking ensures the crust has that irresistible crunch.

Ingredients for finishing:

    • Olive oil for brushing

6. Optional Toppings

While pepperoni is the star of the pizza, you can also add other toppings based on your preferences. Some classic additions include sliced onions, mushrooms, green bell peppers, olives, or even a sprinkle of chili flakes for an extra kick.

Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Pepperoni Pizza

Making pepperoni pizza from scratch may sound like a lot of work, but it’s actually a fun and rewarding process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating the ultimate homemade pepperoni pizza.

Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Dough

    1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir to dissolve and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. The mixture should become frothy, which indicates the yeast is activated.

    1. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

    1. Make the dough: Add the activated yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour. Stir with a spoon until the dough starts to come together.

    1. Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

    1. Let it rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean towel and let it rise for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the Pizza Sauce

    1. Cook the garlic: In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

    1. Add the tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir. Add oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend it with an immersion blender.

    1. Taste and adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add a pinch of sugar if the sauce tastes too acidic.

Step 3: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) to ensure that it’s hot enough to bake the pizza and achieve a crispy crust. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it heats up for an even crispier base.

Step 4: Shape the Pizza Dough

    1. Punch down the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air bubbles.

    1. Roll out the dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and roll it out into a 12-inch circle. If you prefer a thicker crust, roll the dough slightly smaller. For a thinner crust, stretch the dough with your hands.

    1. Transfer to a pizza peel: If you’re using a pizza peel, dust it with flour and transfer the dough onto it. If not, place the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 5: Assemble the Pizza

    1. Spread the sauce: Spread a generous layer of the homemade pizza sauce on the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

    1. Add the cheese: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.

    1. Place the pepperoni: Arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese, ensuring they’re spread evenly across the pizza.

    1. Drizzle with olive oil: Lightly brush the crust with olive oil to ensure it becomes golden and crispy during baking.

Step 6: Bake the Pizza

    1. Bake: Slide the pizza into the oven, either on a pizza stone or a baking sheet, and bake for 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on the pizza—once the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling, it’s ready.

    1. Check for crispiness: For an extra-crispy crust, you can place the pizza directly on the oven rack for the last 2 minutes of baking.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two.

Notes

Tips for the Perfect Pepperoni Pizza

  • Use high-quality mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella or a premium shredded variety will give you the best melt and flavor.

  • Crispy pepperoni: To get crispy pepperoni, place the slices on a paper towel before baking or bake it a little longer for extra crunch.

  • Rest the dough: Let the dough rise for at least an hour for the best texture. Longer rises give the dough more flavor.

  • Oven temperature: Preheat your oven thoroughly to ensure the pizza bakes evenly and crisps up perfectly.

  • Experiment with toppings: Feel free to experiment with other toppings like onions, mushrooms, or even pineapple for a sweet and savory contrast.

  • Author: Mimi!
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Italian
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Find it online: https://mimiideas.com/pepperoni-pizza/