Heart Shaped Beef Pepperoni Pizza (Printable)
A charming heart-shaped pizza featuring crisp crust, tomato sauce, mozzarella, beef pepperoni, and fresh basil.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp instant dry yeast
03 - 1/2 tsp sugar
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 2/3 cup lukewarm water
06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Sauce
07 - 1/2 cup tomato passata or pizza sauce
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder
10 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Toppings
11 - 5 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
12 - 3 oz beef pepperoni slices
13 - Small handful fresh basil leaves
14 - 1 tbsp olive oil for brushing
15 - Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Pour in lukewarm water and olive oil, stirring until incorporated. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until dough becomes smooth and elastic. Transfer to a clean bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour until doubled in volume.
02 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the risen dough to release air. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 1/4-inch thick heart shape, approximately 10 to 12 inches across at its widest point.
03 - Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the sauce. Distribute mozzarella cheese across the surface, then arrange pepperoni slices in an even layer, slightly overlapping for even coverage.
04 - Lightly brush the exposed crust edge with olive oil. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. 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. Let the pizza rest for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the cheese to set slightly. Slice into wedges or squares and serve while warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of beef pepperoni and fresh basil creates that perfect pizzeria flavor at home
- Shaping the dough is surprisingly fun and the heart shape makes any dinner feel special
02 -
- Heart shapes can stretch during baking, so exaggerate the curves slightly when shaping
- The dough rises best in a draft-free spot, I use my microwave with the door closed
03 -
- Use a pizza stone if you have one for the crispiest bottom crust
- Room temperature cheese melts more evenly than cold from the fridge