Hand-Tossed Pepperoni and Three Cheese Pan Pizza

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

A pan-baked pizza featuring a hand-tossed dough topped with spicy pepperoni and a blend of mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan cheeses for a richly layered flavor. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 97 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup, 110°F warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 20 slices sliced pepperoni
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (110°F), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy and activated.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp olive oil, then mix with a wooden spoon until a rough dough forms.
3. Step 3: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly oil a 12-inch cast iron or deep-dish pizza pan. Punch down the dough and press it evenly into the pan, pushing dough up the sides to form a crust.
5. Step 5: Spread 1 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup shredded provolone, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce.
6. Step 6: Arrange 20 slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese. Sprinkle 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes over the pizza.
7. Step 7: Bake the pizza for 18-22 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving.