Pepperoni Pizza

Name: Pepperoni Pizza From Scratch
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 17 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ball pizza dough (approx. 250-300g); 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, for dusting; 1/2 cup pizza sauce; 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese; 1 cup low-moisture mozzarella cheese, cubed; 1/2 cup pepperoni slices

This classic pepperoni pizza is made from scratch with a hand-stretched crust, rich tomato sauce, and layers of mozzarella and pepperoni, baked until crispy and bubbly. The key to success is proper dough handling and high heat for a perfectly charred, airy crust.

🌍American 🏷️Pepperoni pizza 🏷️Pizza 🏷️Homemade pizza 🏷️Pepperoni Mozzarella

🏷️

🏷️Parmesan

-0:00

TikTok

Total

17 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$14–$23

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

1 ball pizza dough (approx. 250-300g)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour, for dusting
1/2 cup pizza sauce
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup low-moisture mozzarella cheese, cubed
1/2 cup pepperoni slices

6 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven and pizza stone/steel to 550°F (288°C).
2
Lightly flour your work surface.
3
Coat the pizza dough ball in flour.
4
Gently press the dough out with your fingertips, preserving the outer edge for the crust.
5
Hand-stretch the dough to your desired size and thickness.
6
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
7
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
8
Top with the cubed mozzarella cheese.
9
Arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese.
10
Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone/steel in the oven.
11
Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12
Remove from the oven, slice, and serve immediately.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Stretch the dough slowly and gently to avoid tearing; let it rest 2-3 minutes between stretches for easier handling.
Use low-moisture mozzarella cubed rather than shredded for better melting and less pooling of water on the surface.
Distribute pepperoni slices evenly and slightly overlapping to ensure flavor in every bite and prevent dry patches.
Place the pizza on a preheated baking sheet or pizza stone to ensure the bottom crisps properly in the first few minutes.

Substitutions

Pizza sauce → marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes with garlic and oregano (thinner consistency, adjust quantity to taste)
Low-moisture mozzarella → fresh mozzarella (will release more water; reduce overall moisture by using less sauce)
Pepperoni → Italian sausage, bacon, or ham (maintains savory, salty profile)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes to restore crust crispness.

Equipment

pizza stone or baking sheet · pizza peel (optional but helpful)

Common Questions

Can I use pre-made pizza dough?

Yes. A 250-300g store-bought dough ball works perfectly and saves time while still delivering great results.

What's the ideal oven temperature for pepperoni pizza?

Preheat to the highest temperature your oven reaches (typically 475-500°F). Higher heat creates a crispier crust and bubbly cheese in less time.

How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?

Don't overload with sauce—use only ½ cup. Let the crust bake 2-3 minutes before adding toppings, and use low-moisture mozzarella to minimize excess liquid.