Description
This easy and delicious Sheet Pan Pizza recipe uses a quick homemade or store-bought dough stretched onto a quarter sheet pan, topped with flavorful pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner that yields a crispy crust and melty cheese with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup warm water (around 110-115°F)
For the Pizza
- 1 - 1.2 pounds pizza dough (store bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2/3 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz pepperoni
- Parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt until well combined.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the olive oil and warm water, mixing until a shaggy dough ball forms.
- Knead the Dough: If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead for about 3 minutes until the dough is smooth and forms a ball. If kneading by hand, transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, adding more flour as needed. Then, cover the dough with a towel and let it rise for 15 minutes.
- Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Coat a quarter sheet pan (13” x 9”) with one tablespoon of olive oil, ensuring to cover all edges and corners.
- Shape the Dough: Place the risen dough onto the prepared sheet pan. Gently stretch it out to fill the pan. If the dough retracts, let it rest for 5 minutes to relax the gluten, then stretch again.
- Add Toppings: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese followed by the pepperoni slices evenly on top.
- Bake the Pizza: Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes on the pan. Optionally, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Allowing the dough to rest helps make stretching easier by relaxing gluten.
- You can use store-bought dough to save time or homemade for a fresher taste.
- Adjust toppings to your preference, including vegetables or additional cheeses.
- Make sure the warm water is between 110-115°F to activate yeast properly without killing it.
- Using a quarter sheet pan ensures the dough spreads thinly for a crispier crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
