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Moderate · The Deane Recipe Box

Meat Lovers Pizza

A hearty 12-inch pizza piled carefully with pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, and ham over mozzarella and tomato sauce, baked at 425°F.

20 minutesPrep 16–20 minutesCook About 1 hour 10 minutes, including oven preheatingTotal 1 12-inch pizzaMakes

Method

  1. Preheat the oven

    Place a pizza steel or stone on a rack in the upper third of the oven and heat to 425°F for at least 45 minutes. If using a baking sheet, preheat the oven without the sheet.

  2. Shape the crust

    Place the dough ball on a lightly floured surface. Press from the center outward, leaving a slightly thicker rim, then lift and gently stretch it into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a floured pizza peel or a sheet of parchment paper.

  3. Par-bake the crust

    Slide the plain crust onto the hot steel or stone and bake for 4 minutes. Carefully remove it to the peel or a heatproof surface. This brief head start keeps the heavily topped center crisp.

  4. Add the toppings

    Spread the pizza sauce over the par-baked crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Add the mozzarella, then distribute the pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham evenly without piling them up. Sprinkle with Parmesan and brush the exposed crust lightly with olive oil.

  5. Finish baking

    Return the pizza to the steel or stone and bake for 12 to 16 minutes, rotating halfway, until the crust is deeply golden and the cheese is bubbling. On a baking sheet, bake the plain crust for 5 minutes, add the toppings, then bake for another 12 to 15 minutes.

  6. Rest and serve

    Let the pizza rest for 3 minutes, then slice and serve.