Classic Pepperoni Pizza (Pizza Seasoning)
Made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, chili, cayenne pepper and fragrant herbs, our Mediterranean-inspired pizza seasoning lends vibrant herbal notes and a hint of peppery spice to this pizza. To ensure that the pepperoni bakes up crisp, cook the slices in a dry fry pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes; drain briefly on paper towels and then place the pepperoni on the pizza.
Ingredients
- 1 ball Thin Crust Pizza Dough
- Olive oil as needed
- 3/4 cup purchased or homemade tomato sauce
- 1 Tbs. pizza seasoning, plus more for sprinkling (optional)
- 2 oz. low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 oz. thinly sliced pepperoni (see note above)
- 2 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shaved with a vegetable peeler
Directions
Position a rack in the lower third of an oven. Place a pizza stone on the rack and preheat the oven to 450ºF. Let the stone heat for 45 to 60 minutes.
Place a large sheet of parchment paper on a pizza peel or large rimless baking sheet and place the dough in the center. Coat your fingers with olive oil and press the dough from the center outward into a 12-inch round with a slightly raised edge. If the dough springs back, cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for a few minutes, then continue. The thinner the dough is, the crisper the crust will be. Cover the dough round with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the tomato sauce and the 1 Tbs. pizza seasoning.
Brush the raised edge of the dough with a light coating of olive oil. Spread the dough evenly with the tomato sauce, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the sauce, then top with the pepperoni and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Sprinkle lightly with pizza seasoning. Carefully slide the pizza-topped parchment paper onto the hot pizza stone. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, 9 to 12 minutes.
Using the pizza peel or rimless baking sheet, remove the pizza from the oven, transfer it to a cutting board and let stand for 2 minutes. Cut the pizza into slices and serve immediately. Makes one 12-inch pizza; serves 2 to 4.
Adapted from a recipe by Williams-Sonoma.