Classic Homemade Pepperoni Pizza – Crispy, Cheesy, and Irresistible
This homemade pepperoni pizza is a classic favorite, featuring a crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and perfectly crispy pepperoni slices. Whether you're making it from scratch or using pre-made dough, this recipe guarantees a restaurant-quality pizza right from your oven! Serve it with garlic bread, a fresh salad, or a cold drink for the ultimate pizza night.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl (for dough)
- Rolling Pin
- Baking sheet or pizza stone
- Parchment paper
- Ladle (for spreading sauce)
- Pizza Cutter
- Grater (for fresh cheese)
- Oven or pizza oven
Ingredients
- For the Pizza Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm water 110°F / 45°C
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- For the Tomato Sauce:
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- For the Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese for garnish
- Fresh basil leaves optional, for garnish
Instructions
- 1️⃣ Prepare the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add olive oil, salt, and flour gradually, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- 2️⃣ Prepare the Sauce
- In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- 3️⃣ Assemble the Pizza
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, preheat it as well.
- Roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle and place it on parchment paper or a baking sheet.
- Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Add pepperoni slices, slightly overlapping them for crispy edges.
- 4️⃣ Bake & Serve
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
- Slice and serve immediately!
Notes
Extra Crispy Crust: Bake on a preheated pizza stone for an even crispier crust.
Spicy Option: Add red pepper flakes or use spicy pepperoni.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes.
Freezing: Freeze assembled, unbaked pizza for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes to the cooking time.
Spicy Option: Add red pepper flakes or use spicy pepperoni.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes.
Freezing: Freeze assembled, unbaked pizza for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes to the cooking time.