Thick-Crust Tavern-Style Pizza with Classic Pepperoni

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A thick, chewy crust pizza topped with rich marinara, generous slices of pepperoni, and melted mozzarella cheese for a satisfying tavern experience at home. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 38 minutes, pairs bread 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 480 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 18 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 1/4 cups warm water
2 tsp active dry yeast
2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup pizza sauce
3/4 cup sliced pepperoni
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
optional, to taste crushed red pepper flakes

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Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups warm water (105°F), 2 tsp active dry yeast, and 2 tsp sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: Mix 3 1/2 cups bread flour and 1 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp olive oil, stirring to form a dough.
Step 3: Knead dough on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
Step 4: Preheat oven to 475°F. Press dough into a greased 12-inch round pan, creating a thick crust edge.
Step 5: Spread 3/4 cup pizza sauce evenly over the crust, then top with 3/4 cup sliced pepperoni and 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 6: Sprinkle 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 15-18 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and browned.
Step 7: Optionally, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes before serving for heat.