Description
Heart Shaped Pizza is a fun and delicious way to show your love, perfect for romantic dinners, anniversaries, or family nights. With a crispy crust, melty cheese, and adorable heart-shaped pepperonis, this pizza is a delightful twist on a classic favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 ball of pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 30 pepperoni slices
- ¼ cup pizza sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Line a pizza pan or baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Create Heart-Shaped Pepperonis
- Fold each pepperoni slice in half.
- Use kitchen shears to cut heart shapes from the folded edge.
- Place the pepperoni hearts on a paper towel-lined plate and microwave for 15 seconds to reduce grease. Dab off excess grease with a paper towel and set aside.
- Shape the Dough
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pizza dough.
- Shape it into a heart, approximately 16 inches tall.
- Fold and press the edges to create a crust.
- Pre-Bake the Dough
- Transfer the heart-shaped dough to the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the dough with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Use a fork to dock the crust to prevent bubbles.
- Pre-bake the dough for 6 minutes.
- Add Toppings
- Spread pizza sauce evenly across the pre-baked crust.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Arrange the heart-shaped pepperonis on top.
- Bake to Perfection
- Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 8–12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven.
- Garnish and Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired.
- Slice and serve your charming Heart Shaped Pizza!
Notes
- Homemade Dough: If you prefer homemade pizza dough, simple recipes using flour, yeast, water, and salt work perfectly.
- Prevent Sticking: Lightly flour your work surface and hands when shaping the dough.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the pizza up to the pre-baking step and refrigerate for a few hours before baking fully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American