The Best Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Recipe

Start by preparing the pizza dough according to your homemade pizza dough recipe. Allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size.

Move the oven rack to the second-highest position and place a pizza stone on it. Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes to ensure the stone is thoroughly heated.

Punch down the dough to deflate it, then transfer it to a lightly floured countertop. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and cover with a damp paper towel to rest for 15–30 minutes, allowing the gluten to relax for easier stretching.

Place parchment paper on the pizza peel and sprinkle it with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Transfer one dough ball onto the peel and gently stretch and press it out into a 13–14 inch circle. If the dough resists stretching, cover it again and let rest 5–10 minutes before continuing. Brush ½ tablespoon olive oil around the outer edge of the dough to promote a golden crust.

Arrange pepperoni slices evenly on a large microwave-safe plate lined with two paper towels. Cover with two more paper towels and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Press the top paper towels onto the pepperoni to absorb excess grease, helping to keep the pizza from getting soggy.

Spread ¾ cup of pizza sauce evenly over the dough with the back of a spoon or ladle, leaving a ¼-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce, then layer 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Distribute 20 pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese.

Slide the assembled pizza with parchment paper onto the preheated pizza stone in the oven. Bake for 8–12 minutes until the crust turns golden and the cheese bubbles and melts perfectly.

Using the pizza peel, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool 5 minutes before slicing. Repeat the process with the remaining dough, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni for a second pizza.