Matts Favorite Easy Pepperoni Pizza Recipes

BASIC PEPPERONI PIZZA AND FOUR CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• For the pizza dough: Sprinkle the active dry yeast over 1 1/2 cups of warm--not lukewarm--water.
• In a mixer with a paddle attachment, combine the flour and salt. With the mixer running on low speed, drizzle in the olive oil and mix until combined. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until combined.
• Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil and tip the dough in. Form a ball and toss to coat the dough ball in the olive oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to rise for at least 1 hour, or up to 3 or 4 days refrigerated.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• To prepare the dough for the pizza assembly: Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out one part as thinly as possible and place on a baking sheet. Repeat with the second piece of dough.
• For the basic pepperoni pizza: Spread the sauce over the pizza base. Top with the sliced mozzarella and pepperoni.
• For the four cheese pizza: Drizzle on the olive oil and sprinkle on some salt and pepper. Pour the jar of pesto onto the dough and spread evenly. Add the mozzarella, fontina, goat cheese and Pecorino Romano.
• Bake both pizzas until the crusts are golden and the cheese is bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes.
• For the tomato basil salad: While the pizzas are baking, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a small skillet. Add the garlic and stir, lightly frying for about a minute and removing it from the heat before the garlic gets too brown (it can be golden). Pour it into a mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly. Add the tomatoes, balsamic, basil and some salt and pepper to the bowl. Toss to combine, and then taste and add more basil if needed, and more salt if needed. Set aside.
• Top the four cheese pizza with the tomato basil salad. Cut the pizzas into slices and serve.
• Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil into a hot pan over medium-high heat. Throw in the garlic and chopped onions and give them a stir. Cook until the onions are soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, whisking to deglaze the bottom of the pan. Cook until the liquid reduces by half. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste and a pinch of sugar. Add the dried oregano and basil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.

BEST-EVER PEPPERONI PIZZA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt, 2 tablespoons oil and 2-1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky)., Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Cover and let rest 10 minutes., On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 15-in. circle. Transfer to a greased 14-in. pizza pan, letting dough drape over the edge. Cut string cheese pieces in half lengthwise; place around edge of pan. Fold dough over string cheese; pinch to seal., Prick dough thoroughly with a fork. Brush with remaining oil; sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake at 425° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown., In a small saucepan, combine the sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Spread over crust. Arrange pepperoni over top; sprinkle with Italian cheese blend. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

PEPPERONI PIZZA

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place the first eight ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1-2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed). , When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 14-in. circle. Sprinkle a greased 14-in. pizza pan with cornmeal. Transfer dough to prepared pan. , Combine spaghetti sauce and sugar if desired; spread over dough. Top with the pepperoni, tomatoes, onion, cheeses and Italian seasoning. , Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

HOMEMADE PEPPERONI PIZZA

Steps:

• For sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients with 1/2 cup water in a medium bowl; set aside for flavors to develop while making crust. Freeze remaining paste .
• For crusts: Combine 2 cups of flour with the dry yeast, sugar and salt. Add the water and oil and mix until well blended (about 1 minute). Gradually add enough remaining flour slowly, until a soft, sticky dough ball is formed.
• Knead for about 4 minutes, on a floured surface, until dough is smooth and elastic. Add more flour, if needed. (If using RapidRise® Yeast, let dough rest, covered, for 10 minutes.)
• Divide dough in half. Pat each half (with floured hands) into a 12-inch greased pizza pan OR roll dough to fit pans.
• For pizzas: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Top crusts with sauce, pepperoni and cheese.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until crusts are browned and cheese is bubbly. For best results, rotate pizza pans between top and bottom oven racks halfway through baking.

MATT'S FAVORITE EASY PEPPERONI PIZZA

Steps:

• Spread 1/4 to 1/3 cup pizza sauce on each Boboli pizza crust.
• Sprinkle each pizza with Italian seasoning.
• Place 6 to 8 pepperoni slices on each pizza crust.
• Sprinkle each pizza with 1/4 cup cheese.
• Place pizzas on baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until cheese melts.

FAT MATT'S FAVORITE THIN CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Brown your ground beef on med heat until done. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. On your premade thin crust, cover with an ample amount of pizza sauce. Use half of your thinly sliced pepperoni. The pepperoni should be thin enough to crush up into a ball. They may come partially undone but that's ok. Put the balled pepperoni on top of the sauce in an even spread. Now use about half of your ground beef the same way. Next shred your fresh mozzarella. The bag stuff just isn't the same. Add the mozzarella cheese evenly. Now use the rest of your ground beef on top followed by the rest of your pepperoni (either balled like before or not, your choice). The thin pepperoni may burn a bit if you do not ball it up. Now top off with your oregano and parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for between 10 and 15 minuets depending on how brown you want the cheese and how dark and crispy you want the crust. *note* store bought crust will burn if the oven is too hot or if you overcook the pizza. It will be hard. Taking the pizza out as soon as you can see the edges turning golden brown and the middle of the pizza is bubbly and rising. Otherwise the cheese in the center may not be fully cooked, or you will cause the crust to burn. Getting it just right may take some practice, but in the end this is a fantastic pizza in my opinion. Also fun for the whole family.