Hand-Tossed Pepperoni Pizza with Garlic Butter Crust
A 10.5-inch individual pizza featuring rich tomato sauce, spicy pepperoni, and a garlic butter crust that adds a savory finish. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 27 minutes pairs tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese shredded, pepperoni slices for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 1, 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
- 1 ball (about 10.5 inches diameter) pizza dough
- 1/3 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 20 slices pepperoni slices
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 475°F and place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet inside to heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: On a floured surface, stretch the pizza dough ball into a 10.5-inch round, gently pressing the edges to create a slightly raised rim.
- Step 3: Spread 1/3 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving the edges clear for the crust.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then arrange 20 slices of pepperoni evenly atop the cheese.
- Step 5: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter with 2 minced garlic cloves until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Step 6: Carefully remove the hot pizza stone from the oven and transfer the pizza onto it. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Step 7: Immediately brush the edges of the crust with the garlic butter mixture, then sprinkle 1/2 tsp dried oregano and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the pizza before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hand-Tossed Pepperoni Pizza with Garlic Butter Crust take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Hand-Tossed Pepperoni Pizza with Garlic Butter Crust?
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 tomato sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hand-Tossed Pepperoni Pizza with Garlic Butter Crust?
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 Hand-Tossed Pepperoni Pizza with Garlic Butter Crust for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Hand-Tossed Pepperoni Pizza with Garlic Butter Crust?
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.
