Thick-Crust Tavern-Style Pizza with Classic Pepperoni

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

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 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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 475°F. Press dough into a greased 12-inch round pan, creating a thick crust edge.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Step 7: Optionally, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes before serving for heat.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Thick-Crust Tavern-Style Pizza with Classic Pepperoni take to make?

Total time is about 38 minutes (20 min prep + 18 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 Thick-Crust Tavern-Style Pizza with Classic Pepperoni?

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 bread flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Thick-Crust Tavern-Style Pizza with Classic Pepperoni?

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 Thick-Crust Tavern-Style Pizza with Classic Pepperoni 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 Thick-Crust Tavern-Style Pizza with Classic Pepperoni?

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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