Baked Italian-Style Pepperoni Pizza with Monkey Cinnamon Bread

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic Italian-inspired pizza topped with pepperoni and a side of soft monkey bread sweetened with cinnamon sugar, perfect for a comforting meal. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 50 minutes pairs store-bought or homemade pizza dough, pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F. Stretch or roll out 1 lb pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch round and transfer to a pizza stone or baking sheet. Spread 1/2 cup pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
  2. Step 2: Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then evenly distribute 30 slices of pepperoni on top. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil around the edges.
  3. Step 3: Bake pizza for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbling.
  4. Step 4: While pizza bakes, cut monkey bread dough into 1-inch pieces. Toss the pieces in a bowl with 4 tbsp melted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tsp ground cinnamon until coated.
  5. Step 5: Place coated dough pieces into a greased 8-inch bundt pan or round cake pan. Bake alongside the pizza or separately at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Remove monkey bread from oven and cool slightly before serving alongside the hot pizza.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Italian-Style Pepperoni Pizza with Monkey Cinnamon Bread take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Italian-Style Pepperoni Pizza with Monkey Cinnamon Bread?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pizza sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Italian-Style Pepperoni Pizza with Monkey Cinnamon Bread?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Italian-Style Pepperoni Pizza with Monkey Cinnamon Bread for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Italian-Style Pepperoni Pizza with Monkey Cinnamon Bread?

Italian pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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