
Would ever believe that I HATED pizza growing up? In fact, I don’t think I liked it all until 6th grade. You see, in 6th grade I was attending Harmony Elementary School in Vancouver, Washington and as the oldest kids we got to have lunch in our classrooms. Yeah, we were pretty big stuff. And to make it even more exciting we actually got to order pizza on Fridays. BOOYAH! I can still smell it Oh my gosh, we thought we were awesome. The kind was always the same, Pepperoni Pizza. But, we all grew up and now while I still love a good takeout pizza I also want a pepperoni pizza recipe that’s as good to make at home as it is to have delivered. Which means that we’ve been working on this recipe for 2 months, and testing every ingredient out there.

Two Kinds of Pizza in the World
There are two kinds of pizza, and only two. Bet you already knew that though, right? There’s take out which is greasy, gooey, and crazy delicious. This is best eaten when you are feeling lazy, depressed, partying, or chillin’. But, there’s also pizzeria pizza. This pizza is the real deal. It’s generally more like an actual Italian or New York Style pizza. The ingredients are generally better and it’s usually found in pizzerias or awesome Italian restaurants. They are different. Period. A chain pizza place versus the gourmet deal. And each has it’s moment, but today we want to talk about delivery. I know, you probably didn’t think I was going to say that, but everyone has had a hankering for delivery, the one you want on a Saturday night while you kick back and watch a movie.

Help Us Celebrate Our Oldest Daughter’s Birthday
Our daughter is celebrating her 7th birthday today. Holy crap I’m old. I can hardly believe it! She looooooves pizza. It’s one of her favorites. She is obvioulsy aware of what I do for a living and specifically requested that we make the perfect pepperoni pizza for her, and I kid you not, she wanted to do a giveaway just like I do. Love that girl. So, make sure you scroll down to see what you get, and we’d love for you to leave a birthday shout out that she can read and fell all special about. 😉
Essential Ingredients/Tools for the Perfect Pepperoni Pizza
We tested so many ingredients, pans, recipes, and temperatures and these are the ones that came out with the best results. Gosh, it’s like I’m America’s Test Kitchen! LOVE THEM.
Flour: King Arthur All purpose Flour produced the best crust. We did try using half and half with bread flour or all bread flour, but that crusty, chewy crust was best with all purpose.
Yeast: Red Star Yeast was the most full proof yeast. We got a perfect rise every time, and it produced a chewy crust.
Pepperoni: We found that the Margherita Brand of Pepperoni produced the best flavor and texture. Some pepperonis were rubbery and extra greasy when baked, but Margherita brand crisped up a little around the edges, and had great flavor and texture. It literally was night and day difference. Unfortunately no other brand came close enough to compare so we say stick with this one. *TIP* We found that cooking the pepperoni for 15-20 seconds on paper towels in the microwave removed a little more grease and produced those crisped edges we love on delivery pizza.
Cheese:Oh the cheese… this one was also tricky. Too many Mozzarella’s didn’t melt down well enough or were lacking flavor. Fresh mozzrella or water packed was cray good, but better suited for Margarita pizzas. We found that Galbani provided that perfect cheesy flavor with great meltability.
Pan: This one probably doesn’t seem crucial but it made a HUGE difference in our pizza. We tried everything from air bakes and pizza stones to regular pizza pans, but nothing compared to the Mario Batali Pizza Pan. It gave an even distribution of heat, retained heat, held up to high temperatures and helped to make a perfect crust with a crispy bottom and soft chewy inside. Plus, this one actually has a lifetime warranty and was 10x easier to clean up.
Pizza Dough : I’ll be honest, we tried half a bazillion pizza dough recipes, including making our own, but the fact remains, Artisan Bread in 5 is still the best pizza dough recipe we’ve tried.
Pizza Sauce: We tried jarred sauces, pizza sauce recipes and even a fresh tomato sauce, but our favorite ended up being our own Homemade Pizza Sauce that we posted on Monday.
Pizza Tools: We found out that King Arthur Flour has an awesome pizza tool kit so you can chop, grate and slice to your little heart’s desire!

Can Pizza Dough Be Made Ahead?
You can make your pizza dough ahead of time, even the night before.
Simply wrap the dough in plastic wrap after it has risen once.
Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Let the dough warm, and rise, then roll out and top it and bake it.
Can Pizza Dough Be Frozen?
You can freeze pizza dough to be used later.
Let the dough rise once, then divide it into balls for each pizza.
Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
How Long will Pepperoni Keep?
Unopened pepperoni can be stored for up to 6 weeks in the pantry or indefinitely in the refrigerator.
Once pepperoni is opened, it should be stored in the refrigerator and will keep for 3 weeks.
Perfect Pepperoni Pizza Recipe
Perfect Pepperoni Pizza Recipe
Description
Ingredients
Pizza Dough from Artisan Bread in 5
- 1 ½ Tablespoon Instant Yeast
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil, extra virgin
- 2-3/4 Cups Water, lukewarm
- 6 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour, unbleached
Pizza
- 1/2 Cup Pizza Sauce
- 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese, Galbani
- 1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 Package Pepperoni, Margherita Brand
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tablespoon Butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons Parmesan Cheese, kraft
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt, Lawry's
Instructions
Pizza Dough
- In the bowl of your standing mixer, fitted with the dough hook attachment, mix the yeast, salt, sugar, and olive oil with the water.2-3/4 Cups Water, 1 ½ Tablespoon Instant Yeast, 1 ½ Tablespoons Kosher salt, 1 Tablespoon Sugar, 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- Slowly add the flour without kneading.6 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour
- Transfer dough to large bowl. Cover (not airtight), and allow to rest at room temperature until dough rises and collapses (or flattens on top), approximately 2 hours.
- The dough can be used immediately after the initial rise, though though not only is it easier to handle when cold, but I think it also produces a better crust.
- Refrigerate in a lidded (not airtight) container and use over the next 12 days. See note
Pizza
- Heat the oven to 500 or 550 degrees if your oven allows. NOT broil.
- Place the pizza pan in the oven to get hot.
- Stretch the pizza dough into a large circle by holding it up in front of you and turning the dough clockwise, grabbing quickly with one hand after another or by tossing the dough. This creates a better crust, but you can roll it out if you wish.
- Place on a pizza wheel or parchment paper to help you to transfer the dough to the pan.
- Quickly remove the pan from the oven and transfer the dough to the pan.
- Working fast, spread a little sauce on the pizza, top with both cheeses and then Italian seasoning followed by the pepperoni.1/2 Cup Pizza Sauce, 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese, 1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese, 1 Package Pepperoni, 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of cheese over the finished pizza.
- Combine the olive oil and butter and brush the crust then sprinkle the parmesan and garlic salt over the crust.1 teaspoon Olive Oil, 1/2 Tablespoon Butter, 2 teaspoons Parmesan Cheese, 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- Bake the pizza for 6-8 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes before cutting into.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products


Sarah Beer
Hi,
Please help me as I’m so confused. In the recipe above it says to put the ingredients into the stand mixer with the dough hook, but then on the next line it says to add the flour, but don’t knead.
Well, why put it in the stand mixer with the dough hook? And if you don’t knead it, do you stir it or something?
I really would like to try this recipe, so any help would be appreciated 🙂
Sweet Basil
Hi Sarah, you’ll want to use the dough hook in order to help the dough be brought together and pull away from the bowl as well as still work the gluten without doing it in such a forceful way that hand kneading does. The dough hook will stir together the ingredients, then add the flour and it will allow the dough to ball up on the hook unlike the beater blade that breaks the dough up and allows it to move through the holes. I hope that makes sense! It’s a fantastic dough recipe!
Jamison Law
We followed your instructions to the T and we got nothing but a big pile of flour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terry Duffy
Thanks for the reply.
Terry Duffy
I echo the Happy Birthday but has anyone make the pizza. I did and except for ending up with way too much dough for one pizza, it was great. Have to work on my dough handleing skills but this is an excellent recipe. Thanks Terry
Terry Duffy
I ended up with enough dough to make at least three pizzas. Wish that was clarified in the recipe. 6 1/2 cups is way too much for one pizza. Terry
Sweet Basil
Terry, Sorry about that! I thought I had added it. I’ll have to go back through it. We freeze our extra dough or keep it in the fridge for a few days and then make upside down pizza, breadsticks etc.
Kelly
The recipe still states “Yield: 1 large pizza” at the top of the page. You may want to update that.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
To Little Oh Sweet Basil – Happy birthday! You’re so lucky that you got to have this pepperoni pizza so many times. 😀
DeeDee
How many pizza crusts do you make from this recipe? Thanks!
Missy21
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Gloria
Happy Birthday
Peggy
Happy Birthday to your little one! What a great pizza to celebrate =)
Jeana hammer
Happy birthday!!! Yes, I know it was last week:) I also made this pizza sauce and it was heavenly!;)
Karen
Happy Birthday!
Deana
Happy 7th Birthday!!!!
Nichole Spencer
HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYY!
M
Happy birthday! This looks like it was an amazing pizza!
TaraUB
Hope you had a great birthday!
Jenn
I was so wrapped up in leaving a comment for your daughter’s birthday (Happy Birthday again, Princess!) that I totally spaced on leaving a comment about this mouth-watering recipe! I live in a pretty small town and the only pizza joint’s we have around here are chain, don’t get me wrong, they’re great for Friday evening movie nights with the kiddos (mine are 5 and 2) but they don’t remotely live up to the real pizzeria pizza. Sadly, I’ve only had it once! Except, of course, for in my kitchen! Pizza is my 5 year old daughter’s favorite mommy, daughter meal to make! She loves all the toppings mommy can’t stand which always gives her a giggle. Our pizza’s have never looked as yummy as yours, though. We are currently stuck using cookie sheets because of how expensive decent pizza stones or pans cost but I wouldn’t trade those pizza making memories for the world! I’m very excited to try your recipe with my daughter and I’m sure she’ll love it! Thank you for sharing! Once again, happy birthday to daughter!
Jenn
Happy Birthday sweetheart! I hope your day is truly magical!
Miriam
Hope your 7th Birthday was great!
Carmen
I hope you have a wonderful 7th birthday!
Becca
Happy Birthday beautiful!
Rebecca
Happy 7th Birthday!!
Linda
Happy Birthday!!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
Happy Belated Birthday to your oldest girlie! And omg, you’re SO not old. You’re like, beyond gorgeous and look 20. Seriously. I am not saying that just because you made pizza which, fyi, is my favorite food in the universe. Greasy, cheap party pizza or fancy shmancy pizzeria style pizza. I love ’em all.
Sweet Basil
lol!!! You crack me up. Can’t wait to meet you one day
Katie
Happy happy birthday, from all of us to you, we wish you a happy birthday so we can party too – hey!!! =o)
Have a wonderful birthday!
Rita
Happy birthday, big girl!!! My firstborn just turned 14 on the 25th. She recently told me she loved being 7, as we were looking at a book that she got that year called “It’s Heaven to Be Seven!”
Thanks for the Perfect Pizza recipe. I hope you had a great day and pray that it will be a wonderful year for you and your family! ((Hugs!))
jaymie
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allison Kingston
Happy Birthday Sweetie 🙂 ENJOY!!!
Kat
Happy Birthday little lady!
Rach
Happiest of birthdays to your little girl! What a fun way to celebrate! 🙂
Stacey
Happy 7th birthday! Hope you had a great one & enjoyed this yummy pizza!! Can’t wait to try out this recipe 🙂
Megan
Happy Birthdayy! Hope you day is great and you have lots of yummy cake and pizza 😉
Lynda M.
Happy Birthday!!
Shannon Fisher
Happy Happy Birthday!!
Meagan
Happy birthday!
makalove
Happy birthday!
Kelly
Happy HaPpY HAPPY h.a.p.p.y. Birthday! 🙂
Robbie
Happy 7th Birthday, Hope you had a wonderful day and a wonder filled year to come. My little girl loves pizza too!
Ro Abreu
Seven is a magic number, so your 7th Birthday should be really magical! Thank you for the pizza ideas, pepperoni is a favorite at our house, too. Happy Birthday from Ro, Adam, and Bella the Cat!
Jen
Happiest birthday little one!! May all your dreams come true 🙂
Alicia
Happy 7th Birthday! Gotta love a Pepperoni Pizza!
Julie Webb
Happy birthday! I LOVE 7-year olds, (I teach them all day long!), and PIZZA 🙂
Shannon
Happy Birthday from one pizza loving family to another. I have a son who will be 7 in 3 months and he can’t wait. Hope your day was great!
kat
awwee, Happy Birthday Precious… sending you Blessings & Wishes for an awesome 7th…
Kim
Happy Birthday! I hope this is your best year yet!
emilee
Happy Birthday! Always looking for a better pizza recipe, can’t wait to try this one.
Anna
Happy Birthday! I have a seven-year-old, too, and pizza is, by far, his favorite food.
Nina
Happy Birthday!!
Angela
Happy Birthday!!
Megan
Happy birthday, beautiful girl!
kimberly S
Happy Birthday!
Elva
Happy birthday!
Nutmeg Nanny
Happy birthday, wooo! I adore pizza, I can’t wait to take a swing at this perfect recipe!
Courtney
Happy Birthday! Pizza is the perfect food to celebrate your birthday!! 🙂
LeAnn
Happy birthday! Good job helping your mom make the perfect pizza, can’t wait to try it!!
Dezi A
Happy happy Birthday!!
Tiffany
I also love piazza and I hope your birthday is a beautiful, magical day filled with fun, food, friends and family.
Kristin
Happy 7th birthday P 🙂 can’t wait to try this recipe!!
Meghan
Happy Birthday! 🙂
Kristen M.
Happy 7th Birthday! Have a delicious celebration. 🙂
Diane casavant
Happy 7th birthday!
Katie P
Happy 7th birthday! You have excellent taste in food! 🙂
Lisa
Happy, happy 7th birthday!!
Sarah
Happy, happy birthday!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
Happy Birthday to your sweet girlie!!! That is one awesome pizza to celebrate her birthday!!!
Elspeth
Happy Birthday!!
Stephanie
Happy 7th birthday to a very thoughtful girl! I hope it’s wonderful!
Mai
Happy birthday to your sweet daughter!
Jeanell Heintzleman
Happy Birthday to your 7 year old chef-to-be!!! If she is this interested at 7, she is gonna be an awesome cook!!!
Josie
Happy birthday!!
Marilyn
Happy 7th Birthday. Hope the pizza was delicious. And the party fabulous!!
Amy Boyett
Happy Birthday!
Niki Shepherd
OMG I meant little girl!! LOL
Niki Shepherd
Happy Birthday to your special little man!! 🙂
Pam Capone
Happy Birthday, what a wonderful age “Lucky 7”
Analecia
Have a wonderful birthday!!
Paige and family
Oh dear . . . we missed your birthday! We hope it was the best day ever. We sure love you and your family. Your little smile brightens our day every time we see you. Never forget how special you are!
lydia
HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY!!!!! Hope you have an amazing day. i am seventeen and i remember my seventh birthday and it was great i had a cake with horses on it and a little stuffed animal so have fun and remember all hew love you 🙂 enjoy that pizza, have a slice for me 😉
Elizabeth N.
Happy Birthday! I hope you were able to celebrate it just the way you wanted and that you made many wonderful memories.
Mirtha
happiest 7th birthday!!!
Karen – Cinnamon Freud
Happy birthday! Enjoy as many slices of pepperoni pizza as you can take and have a great day!
Daisy
Happy birthday little woman!!! Enjoy your birthday and your pizza. Hope you get lots of presents.
Kiki
Happy birthday! April is the best month for birthdays!
Chantiel
Hey Birthday little miss P! I miss you and your mom, I hope your Day was awesome!
PS Carrian next time I am in town I think I need you to make this for me 🙂
Ashlee
Happy Happy Birthday! Enjoy 7 cutie!
Janelle Belka
Happy happy birthday to a sweetheart 7 year old!
Emily
Happy birthday to my son’s future wife! 😉
Also, now I’m CRAVING that pizza. It does look perfect!
Deb
7 is the BEST age, have a great year!
Carla Thornburg
Wishing your daughter a very happy birthday!
Mel
Happy birthday to your sweetie pie! Can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than with pizza and seriously, Carrian, your pizza looks PERFECT!
Kim C.
A Very Happy Birthday to your little 7 year old!!! I’m so glad you posted this recipe, I’ve been craving homemade pizza and that looks delicious!!
Margot C
Happy Birthday, the seventh is a momentous birthday – significant and wonderful – no longer a ‘baby’ (haven’t been a baby for years) at seven a person absolutely IS themselves and well on their way!
Selena
Happy Birthday to your sweet little girl!
Allison K.
Happy Birthday young lady. I hope you had a great pizza party!
Cindy
Happy Birthday!!!
Lore
Happy, happy birthday to your little one! 🙂
Deborah
Happy birthday to P!! And this pizza does look amazing – I’m definitely going to have to try it out!
dishing up the dirt
happy birthday to your little one. What a great pizza recipe lady!!!!
Jessica
Happy birthday! I think 7 will be the best one yet!!!
Heather
Happy Birthday to your little miss! She is lucky to have a mom that knows just how to make the world’s best pizza. Thanks for sharing!