Craving Tavern-Style Pizza? This recipe is an easy way to recreate the iconic classic right in your own kitchen. Using simple ingredients like cheese and tomato sauce, you can turn out a delicious pizza that rivals some of the best pizzerias in New York City.
You’ll need the following ingredients to make your homemade Tavern-Style Pizza. Start by preheating your oven to 450°F (or 230°C). Then, gather 1 (14-inch) pizza crust, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1⁄2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 11⁄2 cups of pizza sauce, 10 slices of pepperoni, and 2 cloves minced garlic. Once you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to start assembling your pizza.
To begin, roll out your pizza dough with a rolling pin. Place the rolled dough either on the center of a greased baking sheet or on a pre-baked pizza stone. Gently stretch the crust to 14 inches in diameter and pinch to create decorative edges. Poke holes all over the crust with a fork, to prevent large air bubbles from forming during baking. Brush the crust lightly with olive oil. Set aside while you assemble your pizza toppings.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). When the oven has preheated, carefully transfer the pizza crust to an oven rack and bake for 10 minutes. Turn the pizza over when golden-brown and bake for an additional 5 minutes on other side. Remove from oven and let cool before adding toppings.
Once the pizza crust is cooked and cooled, it’s time to add toppings! Start with a light layer of tomato sauce of your choice. Sprinkle a generous amount of grated cheese over the pizza, followed by flavored pepperoni or sausage chunks for added flavor and texture. Place pizza back in the oven and bake until the cheese melts and starts to bubble, about 12-15 minutes. Slice into desired portions and serve warm. Enjoy!
Now that your pizza is cooked, it's time to cut it into slices and serve! Slice the pizza in 8-10 even slices with a sharp knife or pizza cutter and arrange on a serving tray. For added flavor, top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs like basil, parsley, and oregano. Serve hot with a side of ranch dressing or marinara sauce for dipping—enjoy!
