Leite's Pepperoni Pan Pizza

By stancec44

This pepperoni pan pizza made with homemade dough, homemade tomato sauce, two types of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and pepperoni means you can delete your closest pizza delivery from your contacts. We’ve found something better. Topped with pepperoni and three types of cheese (yes, three!), this thick crust pizza will make everyone forget they once they once craved anything else.

Ingredients

• For the tomato sauce
• One (28-ounce) can can crushed tomatoes or whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand or passed through a food mill
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt, or less to taste
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• For the pepperoni pizza
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 for drizzling
• One (1-pound) ball of storebought or homemade pizza dough
• 3/4 cup tomato sauce
• 3 ounces fresh mozzarella, pinched into small chunks
• 2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella
• 3 to 4 ounces sliced pepperoni
• Pinch or two dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons grated hard cheese, such as Parmesan or pecorino Romano

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from leitesculinaria.com

Preparation

Step 1

Make the tomato sauce
1. In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic, salt, and oil and mix thoroughly. You’re done. That’s your tomato sauce.

2. Let the tomato sauce sit in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld for at least a few hours and up to 1 week.

Make the pizza
3. Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) or 550°F (285°C). Adjust the oven rack to the middle position.

4. Slick a rimmed baking sheet or a large cast-iron skillet or a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons oil. If desired, line it with a sheet of parchment paper.

5. ☞ TESTER TIP: Using parchment paper means there’s no soaking and scrubbing molten cheese and burnt-on tomato sauce from your skillet or pan after dinner. Simply crumple and toss the parchment and you’re done.

6. Carefully stretch your dough to fit your sheet, skillet, or dish.

7. Spread the tomato sauce over the dough and top with both mozzarellas. Arrange the pepperoni on top.

8. Bake until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese melts, 11 to 12 minutes.

9. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, the oregano, and the grated hard cheese. Transfer to a cutting board, slice, and devour.