Pepperoni Pizza Recipe

A classic, cheesy, and flavorful Pepperoni Pizza made with a crispy crust, tangy sauce, melted mozzarella, and savory pepperoni slices.

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp instant yeast

• 1/2 tsp sugar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3/4 cup warm water (adjust as needed)

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 1 cup tomato sauce (or pizza sauce)

• 1 tsp garlic, minced

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Toppings:

• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

• 1 cup pepperoni slices

• Fresh basil leaves (optional)

• Olive oil for drizzling (optional)

• Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

• In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.

• Add olive oil and gradually add warm water while mixing until a soft dough forms.

• Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

2. Prepare the Pizza Sauce:

• In a small saucepan, heat some oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.

• Add tomato sauce, oregano, basil, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.

• Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Assemble the Pizza:

• Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F).

• Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle.

• Place the rolled dough onto a pizza stone or baking sheet.

• Spread the prepared pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.

4. Add Toppings:

• Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.

• Evenly distribute the pepperoni slices over the cheese.

• For extra flavor, you can drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the top or add a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.

5. Bake the Pizza:

• Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Keep an eye on the pizza to prevent over-baking.

6. Garnish and Serve:

• Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

• Slice the pizza and serve hot.

Enjoy your homemade Pepperoni Pizza! It’s a simple, yet delicious pizza that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.