Basic Pepperoni Pizza And Four Cheese Pizza

This delicious and easy pizza recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fun weekend treat. With a crispy, golden crust and melty cheese, you can create a classic pepperoni pizza or a flavorful four-cheese option topped with a fresh tomato basil salad. Use everyday ingredients and enjoy a homemade, crowd-pleasing favorite in no time!

Recipe Ingredients:

Pizza Dough:

• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for oiling bowl

Basic Pepperoni Pizza:

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup store-bought or homemade Pizza Sauce, recipe follows
• 12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced thin
• 1 cup pepperoni pieces

Four Cheese Pizza:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• One 3.5-ounce jar pesto
• 12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced thin
• 4 ounces fontina, grated
• 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano

Tomato Basil Salad:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 pint red grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 pint yellow grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 16 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade, plus more if needed
• Salt and pepper

Pizza Sauce:

• 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped finely
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• Three 15-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
• Salt and pepper
• Salt and pepper
• Pinch sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 8 to 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped

How To Make Basic Pepperoni Pizza And Four Cheese Pizza?

1. Make the Pizza Dough: Sprinkle active dry yeast over 1 1/2 cups / 350 ml of warm water (not lukewarm). In a mixer with a paddle attachment, combine flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed, drizzle in olive oil and mix until combined. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms. Coat a bowl with olive oil, place dough inside, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise for at least 1 hour (or up to 3-4 days in the fridge).
2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat to 500°F / 260°C.
3. Prepare Pizza Dough: Divide dough into two equal parts. Roll each piece as thinly as possible and place on baking sheets.
4. Assemble Basic Pepperoni Pizza: Spread pizza sauce over the dough, add mozzarella slices, and evenly distribute pepperoni pieces.
5. Assemble Four Cheese Pizza: Drizzle olive oil on the dough, season with salt and pepper. Spread pesto evenly and layer with mozzarella, grated fontina, crumbled goat cheese, and grated Pecorino Romano.
6. Bake the Pizzas: Bake both pizzas for 12-15 minutes, or until the crusts are golden and the cheese is bubbly.
7. Make Tomato Basil Salad: While pizzas are baking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté for about a minute until golden. Transfer to a bowl, allow to cool, then add tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
8. Top Four Cheese Pizza: When done baking, top the four cheese pizza with the tomato basil salad.
9. Prepare Pizza Sauce: In a hot pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil, garlic, and onions. Sauté until onions are soft (4-5 minutes). Add chicken broth, deglaze the pan, and reduce by half. Stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar, oregano, and fresh basil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
10. Serve and Enjoy: Slice both pizzas, serve with the fresh tomato basil salad, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips:

• Use High-Heat for Crispy Crust: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) to ensure the pizza crust bakes quickly and becomes perfectly crispy without overcooking the toppings.
• Prevent Soggy Pizza: If using wet ingredients like fresh mozzarella or pesto, blot excess moisture with a paper towel before adding them to the pizza to keep the crust from becoming soggy.
• Roll Dough Thinly: Roll out the dough as thin as possible for a light, crisp base. If the dough keeps shrinking back, let it rest for 5-10 minutes to relax the gluten.
• Avoid Overloading Toppings: Too many toppings can make the pizza heavy and prevent the crust from baking properly. Aim for a balanced layer of ingredients for the best results.
• Bake on a Preheated Surface: If possible, use a preheated pizza stone or a hot baking tray. This helps the bottom of the crust cook faster, giving you that perfect crunch.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover pizza cool to room temperature. Then, store the slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Allow the pizza to cool completely before freezing. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Heat the pizza slices for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crispy.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 313​
• Total Fat: 13.2g​
• Saturated Fat: 5.7g​
• Cholesterol: 27.8mg​
• Sodium: 760.4mg​
• Potassium: 216.5mg​
• Total Carbohydrate: 35.5g​
• Sugars: 3.6g​
• Protein: 13g​

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