Pizza with pepperoni is a classic that everyone loves! You can order pepperoni pizza for takeout, but I promise that you will like making it yourself even better.
I’ve been making pizza at home all the time lately! I have perfected my Homemade Pizza Dough recipe and this Bread Machine Pizza Dough recipe, and I realized that once the dough is made, a delicious pizza is only about 15 minutes away.
If a pepperoni pizza is too basic for what you’re looking for today, you should check out my BBQ Chicken Pizza or Chicken Alfredo Pizza. You can turn so many delicious meals into a pizza version that you can eat with your hands!
Can’t get enough pizza? Make these Pizza Sliders or a homemade Stromboli as a party appetizer or an easy kid-friendly dinner. You can also try my Cauliflower Pizza Crust for a low-carb option.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavors: Pepperoni Pizza is the one that everyone loves and wants! It’s simple, traditional, and perfectly uncomplicated.
- Homemade Pizza Sauce: There is no reason to buy pizza sauce when making a fresh version with a can of tomato sauce is easy and so delicious.
- Save Money: It’s way less expensive to make your own pizza and it’s even better than takeout because you can make it exactly how you like it!
Key Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Pizza Dough: You have options here. You can use 1 x 10-12-inch pre-made pizza base or you can make your own homemade pizza dough. My bread machine pizza dough makes enough to create two of these pepperoni pizzas. You can also use this pizza dough recipe if you don’t have a bread machine.
- Cheese: A combination of shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan is perfect for this recipe.
- Pizza Sauce: It takes 5 minutes to make this super tasty homemade sauce. You’ll need a can of plain tomato sauce, plus olive oil, garlic, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Pepperoni: Buy sliced pepperoni, or buy a whole stick and slice it yourself. You can use any kind of pepperoni that you enjoy.
Tip!
You can make homemade pizza dough and homemade pizza sauce ahead of time and keep it in your freezer so that you always have it on hand!
How to Make a Pepperoni Pizza
- Prep: Preheat your oven to the highest possible temperature (mine goes up to 550°F/290°C). If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well. (if you want to bake your pizza on a sheet pan or in the air fryer, see the instructions in the recipe below).
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic for 30 seconds. Then add the tomato sauce, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir and allow the sauce to cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Shape the Dough: If using fresh pizza dough, sprinkle a pizza peel with semolina to prevent the dough from sticking, then shape/stretch the dough gently with your hands into a 10 or 12-inch circle. Make sure that your dough can move freely on the pizza peel before adding your toppings.
- Top the Pizza: Spread the tomato pizza sauce on the crust, top with grated parmesan, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven on the pizza stone for 4-5 minutes, then switch on the broiler and bake for 3-5 more minutes but keep an eye on it as the top bubbles and browns. Slice and serve.
Tip!
Make sure that your oven is HOT when you are baking pizza. The hotter the better!
Pizza Tips
- Add Olive Oil: You can brush the edges of the crust with olive oil if you’d like to get them extra browned and tasty. Sprinkle the crust with a small amount of garlic salt for an extra treat!
- Shape the Dough By Hand: Avoid using a rolling pin to make your pizza. The pressure from the pin will deflate the dough and you won’t get the bubbles and pockets of air that you want. Be sure to leave the dough thicker on the edges to create a nice pizza crust.
- Add More Toppings: Anything that you want can be added to a pepperoni pizza! Mushrooms, olives, onions, or cooked sausage are all great easy options. Be sure not to add too many toppings though, or the pizza won’t cook properly.
What to Serve with Pepperoni Pizza
A Light Meal: Serve Pepperoni Pizza with a salad to create a simple and easy dinner. Olive Garden Salad or a Ceasar Salad is my go-to.
Make pizza and wings! Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings go perfectly with pepperoni pizza. This combo is perfect for game day or a fun Friday night dinner. You can also just make a Buffalo Chicken Pizza and cover both bases with one dish. Don’t forget the Blue Cheese!
Have a Pizza Party: Make Pizza Dough and let everyone choose their own toppings. I like to shape the dough into personal-sized pizzas (6 inches or so) when we have a make-your-own pizza dinner.
Other Finger Foods: Snacks and appetizers served with pizza are great for a casual party. Try my Cream Cheese Rangoons, or make a dip to share like Cheeseburger Dip or Baked Feta Dip.
FAQs
You can bake your pizza on a sheet pan instead! First coat the pan with olive oil, then form the dough into a circle or a rectangle on the pan. Add the toppings, then bake in a preheated 450°F/230°C oven for 15-25 minutes. Keep an eye on things. If the bottom crust seems done but the top needs more time, switch to the broiler to finish the job.
Yes, the air fryer is a great way to cook smaller pizzas. All air fryers will cook a little bit differently, but I like to cook pizza in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 400°F/200°C.
You can follow this method to make a homemade pepperoni pizza that uses shortcuts like pizza sauce and dough from the grocery store. It will still be delicious and you’ll save yourself a bit of time.
Please check out my post where I share my homemade pizza dough recipe and all of my best pizza tips.
I love fresh pepperoni pizza! It’s a favorite meal at my house, and now it can be at yours too. Pin the recipe for later!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Pepperoni Pizza
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup tomato sauce or passata or diced tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar or honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the pizza:
- 1 pizza dough/crust homemade or store bought, 10-12 inch
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to the highest possible temperature (mine goes up to 550°F/290°C). If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well. (if you want to bake your pizza on a sheet pan or in the air fryer, see the instructions in the recipe below).
- Make the sauce, in a saucepan over medium heat – heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic for 30 seconds then add the tomato sauce, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir and allow to cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly or completely.
- Sprinkle the pizza peel with semolina to prevent the dough from sticking, then shape/stretch your dough gently with your hands into a 10 or 12-inch circle (don’t use a rolling pin). Before adding any toppings, make sure that the pizza can slide off onto the pizza stone easily. If not, just lift it up gently and sprinkle with more semolina. Don’t push the dough too hard, and start working it from the center. Leave the edges puffed up for a great pizza shape and bubbles.
- Spread the tomato pizza sauce on the crust, top with grated parmesan, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 4-5 minutes, then switch on the broiler and bake for 3-5 more minutes but keep an eye on it as the top bubbles and browns. Slice and serve.
Notes:
- Add Olive Oil: You can brush the edges of the crust with olive oil if you’d like to get them extra browned and tasty. Sprinkle the crust with a small amount of garlic salt for an extra treat!
- Shape the Dough By Hand: Avoid using a rolling pin to make your pizza. The pressure from the pin will deflate the dough and you won’t get the bubbles and pockets of air that you want. Be sure to leave the dough thicker on the edges to create a nice pizza crust.
- Add More Toppings: Anything that you want can be added to a pepperoni pizza! Mushrooms, olives, onions, or cooked sausage are all great easy options. Be sure not to add too many toppings though, or the pizza won’t cook properly.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
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