Heart Shaped Beef Pepperoni Pizza (Printable)

Delightful heart-shaped pizza with crispy crust, zesty tomato, mozzarella, savory beef pepperoni, and fresh basil.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pizza Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 2/3 cup lukewarm water
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Tomato Sauce

07 - 1/2 cup tomato passata or pizza sauce
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Pizza Toppings

11 - 5 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
12 - 3 ounces beef pepperoni slices
13 - Small handful fresh basil leaves
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
15 - Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Pour in lukewarm water and olive oil, stirring until incorporated. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and place in a warm area for 1 hour until the dough has doubled in size.
02 - Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the risen dough to release air, then roll it out on a floured surface into a large heart shape approximately 1/4 inch thick. Transfer carefully to the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Season the sauce with oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Distribute the shredded mozzarella across the surface, then arrange beef pepperoni slices in an even pattern.
04 - Lightly brush the exposed crust border with olive oil. Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 13 to 15 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese becomes bubbly with slight browning.
05 - Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter fresh basil leaves over the hot surface. Allow the pizza to rest for 2 to 3 minutes before slicing into portions and serving while warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The heart shape makes any Tuesday dinner feel like a special occasion without extra effort
  • Beef pepperoni brings a deeper, richer flavor than regular pepperoni that stands up beautifully to the fresh basil
02 -
  • Working with a hot baking sheet makes the crust crisp up instantly, mimicking a professional pizza oven
  • The dough will shrink back a bit when you first shape it, so let it rest for 5 minutes and stretch again
03 -
  • Let the dough come to room temperature for 20 minutes before shaping if it is cold from the fridge
  • Pat your pepperoni slices with a paper towel before topping if you prefer less grease on your finished pizza

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