Crispy Heart-Shaped Pizza Recipe Easy Homemade Pepperoni Basil Delight
A quick and easy homemade heart-shaped pizza featuring a crispy crust, melted mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, and fresh basil for a flavorful and nostalgic comfort meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ball pizza dough (about 10 oz / 280 g), store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing the crust
- ½ cup (120 ml) pizza sauce, preferably marinara or tomato basil
- 1 ½ cups (about 150 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20–25 thinly sliced pepperoni slices
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, washed and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Flour for dusting workspace
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place your pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat for about 30 minutes.
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pizza dough into a roughly 12-inch (30 cm) circle. Pinch the top center to form the heart’s lobes and taper the bottom into a point.
- Transfer the shaped dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Brush the dough lightly with olive oil, especially around the edges.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a ½-inch (1.25 cm) border for the crust. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top.
- Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese without overcrowding.
- Slide the parchment paper and pizza onto the hot stone or baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and crispy and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter fresh basil leaves on top.
- Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Let the pizza cool for a couple of minutes, then slice with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Serve warm.
Notes
Preheat the baking surface thoroughly for a crispy crust. Use parchment paper to transfer the pizza easily. Brush olive oil on crust edges to encourage browning. Add fresh basil after baking to keep flavor vibrant. Tent with foil if crust browns too fast. For gluten-free, use almond or cauliflower crust but shaping may be more delicate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of pizz
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 14
Keywords: heart-shaped pizza, crispy pizza, homemade pizza, pepperoni pizza, basil pizza, easy pizza recipe, quick pizza, family dinner, pizza stone, comfort food