1poundpizza doughI used Italian pizza dough - can also use premade or purchase from local pizzeria.
1cuppizza sauce
1cupfinely shredded mozzarella cheesethe kind sold in a block
.25cupfinely grated parmesan cheese
1packagesliced, fresh mozzarella cheesesold in the deli section
20slicespepperoni
4sweet peppersthinly sliced, any color
.25cupthinly sliced red onion
Italian seasoning
crushed red chili flakesoptional
Instructions
Pull the pizza dough out of the refrigerator at least two hours to come up to room temperature before you are ready to bake.
Place pizza stone on the center oven rack of a cold oven. Preheat oven to 500°F for one hour to get the stone nice and hot! If not using a baking stone, just preheat the oven and bake on a cookie sheet pan.
Separate the fresh mozzarella slices, and use a heart shaped cutter to create individual hearts. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Use the heart shaped cutters to cut each pepperoni slice into heart shapes. Set aside.
Sprinkle flour on a sheet of parchment paper to help keep the dough from sticking.
Place the dough in the center and spread out into a heart shape with your hands. Pinch the bottom of the dough to a point, and gradually spread the dough upward, and outward to form the shape of a heart.
Place your finger in the center of the dough near the top of the circle, and continue shaping the round part of the heart.
Once you are happy with the shape, spread the pizza sauce over the large heart shaped pizza crust – leaving a clean edge around the sides.
Sprinkle the grated mozzarella over the top of the sauce, then sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese. Spread the pepperoni hearts over the cheese, then add the mozzarella hearts.
Sprinkle the sliced sweet peppers and red onions over the top, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Slide the pizza onto a pizza peel and carefully transfer to the hot baking stone. Bake for 10 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Remove the pizza from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
If the dough springs back, allow it to rest for an additional 10 minutes.
For crispier pepperoni, place pepperoni slices on top of the mozzarella hearts.
Italian Pizza Dough is best made ahead, covered, and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
One pound of pizza dough will make; one very large, two medium, or four mini pizzas.
To prevent toppings from sliding off, make sure to spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough and distribute the toppings evenly as well. You do not want to add too much sauce to your pizza! Press down slightly on any loose toppings to help them adhere to the cheese.
To Store: Allow pizza to cool completely and store leftovers in a zipper top bag or airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat Valentine’s heart pizza in an air fryer, the microwave, or in the oven on a low setting. To Freeze: Once the pizza has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. To reheat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake in a preheated oven until heated through.