Easy Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
40 mins
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Cook Time
23 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 3 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
131 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Easy Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza
Description
The recipe starts with a prepared deep dish pizza dough spread evenly in the pan, leaving a small border uncovered by toppings. A simple tomato sauce is layered just inside the dough edges, followed by a generous covering of mozzarella cheese and thinly sliced pepperoni arranged close together to account for shrinking during baking. Fresh basil leaves and Italian seasoning may be sprinkled on top.
Baking involves covering the pizza with foil initially to ensure thorough cooking and prevent burning, then finishing uncovered to brown the cheese and crust edges. The final pizza has a slightly crisped, golden-brown crust around the edges, melted cheese that remains moist inside, and pepperoni with a combination of chewy and crisp textures.
This style of pizza is hearty and filling, ideal for serving as a main dish. It pairs well with simple side salads or vegetables to balance the richness.
Notes indicate that the recipe's baking time assumes that the sauce is pre-made, and nutritional information excludes crust and sauce. Additional tips for assembling and baking can be found referenced elsewhere.
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Easy Deep Dish Pizza Dough
- ½-¾ cup Super Easy Pizza Sauce
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese whole milk if possible
- 2-3 ounces pepperoni thinly sliced
- basil optional, fresh leaves
- Italian seasoning for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Easy Deep Dish Pizza Dough as instructed in the recipe through step 5.
- For the toppings, cover the dough with the Super Easy Pizza Sauce to within a half inch of the edges. Cover the sauce with the cheese, again keeping a ½ inch border (so the cheese doesn't burn because of the heat from the edge of the pan). Top cheese with pepperoni. Space the pepperoni fairly close together as they will shrink in the oven. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves, if desired. If basil leaves are large, cut them into smaller pieces.
- Preheat oven to 450˚F with a rack on the lowest level. (if using a cake pan preheat to 425˚F with a rack in the center of the oven).
- When ready to bake, cover with foil (see Café Tips in ) and bake for 15 minutes on the lowest rack of the oven (middle rack if using the cake pan). Remove foil and bake another 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melty and edges are light golden brown. Run a knife around the edge of the crust and transfer pizza to a cutting board with a spatula. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and more fresh basil, if desired. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Prepare the dough through step 5 in the referenced Easy Deep Dish Pizza Dough recipe before adding toppings.
- Bake initially covered with foil to prevent burning, then uncovered to brown cheese and crust edges.
- Pre-made pizza sauce is assumed; adjust baking times accordingly when using freshly made sauce.
- Use fresh basil leaves chopped if they are large for even flavor distribution.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 131 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 131kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 0g | 0% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 32mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 344mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 47mg | 1% |
| Sugar | 0g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 190IU | 4% |
| Calcium | 145mg | 15% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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