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25-Minute Pepperoni Pizza

A swift and satisfying classic, this pepperoni pizza comes together in just under half an hour. Perfectly chewy crust, rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and crispy pepperoni slices make this a favorite go-to for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. For extra convenience, opt for your favorite jarred pizza sauce in place of homemade.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

For the Pizza:

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh oregano optional
  • 18 to 20 slices pepperoni
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce or substitute with Quick Pizza Sauce below
  • Flour for shaping and rolling dough
  • 16 ounces pizza dough store-bought or homemade
  • 12 ounces mozzarella cheese grated

For the Quick Pizza Sauce:

  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce no salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

For the Honey Butter (Optional “Dad Add”):

  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup softened butter

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 500°F. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven and allow it to heat for at least 20 minutes for optimal crispiness.
  • To prepare the sauce, if making from scratch, thoroughly combine tomato sauce with kosher salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion, red pepper flakes, and olive oil in a bowl. This quantity suffices for one pizza and can be doubled if needed.
  • On a floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a circle approximately 14 inches in diameter. If the dough resists stretching, allow it to rest for 5 minutes to soften.
  • Transfer the rolled dough onto a lightly floured pizza peel or fit into a large cast-iron skillet. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce evenly across the surface, leaving a 1/4-inch border for the crust.
  • Roughly chop half of the pepperoni and scatter it over the sauce. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top, then arrange the remaining whole pepperoni slices. Season with ground black pepper and, if desired, fresh oregano.
  • Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or place the skillet in the oven. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.

Notes

To enhance flavor, serve with a dollop of honey butter by combining softened butter with honey and spreading it on the crust edges just before serving.