Wood-Fired Pepperoni and Caramelized Onion Pizza

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

Hand-stretched pizza topped with spicy pepperoni, sweet caramelized onions, and melted mozzarella on a crisp thin crust. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 35 minutes pairs ball, room temperature pizza dough, olive oil, large, thinly sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Preheat wood-fired oven or conventional oven to 500°F with pizza stone inside for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: On a floured surface, stretch 1 lb pizza dough into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a pizza peel or baking sheet.
  4. Step 4: Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, sprinkle 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Distribute 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese over sauce.
  5. Step 5: Scatter caramelized onions and 20 pepperoni slices evenly on top. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
  6. Step 6: Slide pizza onto hot stone and bake for 8-10 minutes until crust is blistered and cheese is bubbly and golden. Remove and let rest for 3 minutes before slicing.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Pepperoni and Caramelized Onion Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Wood-Fired Pepperoni and Caramelized Onion Pizza?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Pepperoni and Caramelized Onion Pizza?

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 Wood-Fired Pepperoni and Caramelized Onion Pizza 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 Wood-Fired Pepperoni and Caramelized Onion Pizza?

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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