Classic Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizza with Red Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional pizza topped with tangy red tomato sauce, generous mozzarella cheese, and classic pepperoni slices baked to a perfect crisp. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 30 minutes pairs pizza dough, red pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, shredded for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 4.1 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 430 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat. On a floured surface, roll out 14 oz pizza dough into a 12-inch circle and dust a pizza peel or baking sheet with 1 tbsp cornmeal.
  2. Step 2: Transfer the dough to the prepared peel or baking sheet, brush the edges with 1 tbsp olive oil for a golden crust.
  3. Step 3: Spread 1/2 cup red pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Arrange 1/3 cup pepperoni slices evenly on top of the cheese.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1 tsp dried basil over the pizza for an aromatic touch.
  7. Step 7: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes until the crust is crispy and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Step 8: Remove from oven, cool 3 minutes, slice, and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Classic Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizza with Red Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Classic Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizza with Red Sauce?

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 dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizza with Red Sauce?

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 Classic Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizza with Red Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Classic Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pizza with Red Sauce?

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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