If you are craving a feast of bold, savory flavors piled high on a perfectly crisp crust, the Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe is your new best friend. This pizza brings together a mouthwatering medley of Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni, bacon, and ham, all nestled under a blanket of gooey mozzarella and fragrant Italian seasoning. Whether it’s pizza night with friends or a personal treat, this recipe combines simplicity and richness in a way that’s irresistible, turning your kitchen into the coziest pizzeria around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe relies on straightforward ingredients that pack a punch. Each component plays a vital role in building the flavors, textures, and colors that make this pizza so satisfying and visually inviting.
- 1 pound pizza dough: The foundation of your pizza, providing the perfect crispy yet chewy base.
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce: A vibrant, tangy layer that keeps each bite juicy and balanced.
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: The melty, creamy topping that binds all the meats together.
- 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage (crumbled): Adds rich, spiced depth and a satisfying texture.
- 1/2 cup cooked ground beef: Brings hearty, meaty flavor that complements the sausage.
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoni: Delivers a classic zing with just the right amount of spice.
- 1/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon: Offers a smoky crunch that elevates every slice.
- 1/4 cup diced ham: Adds a touch of sweetness and tender bite to balance the meats.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend that lifts the entire pizza with herbs like oregano and basil.
- Olive oil for brushing: Helps achieve a golden, crispy crust edge with subtle richness.
How to Make Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 475°F, and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to get it nice and hot. This step is crucial because it ensures a crisp, bubbly crust that’s just right. While the oven warms, roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle—the perfect size for a generous topping load.
Step 2: Assemble Your Pizza
Transfer the rolled dough onto a piece of parchment paper for easy handling. Lightly brush the crust edges with olive oil to achieve a golden finish once baked. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border to prevent sogginess. Next, sprinkle your shredded mozzarella evenly on top, creating a cheesy canvas ready to hold the meat medley.
Step 3: Load the Meats
Scatter the cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni slices, crumbled bacon, and diced ham across the cheese. This is where your Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe truly shines: a combination of textures and flavors that complement and amplify each other in every bite. Finish with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning to add herby notes that tie it all together.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Carefully slide your pizza, still on the parchment, onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is beautifully golden and the cheese is bubbling and has spots of golden brown. Don’t rush this part; the wait is worth it for that perfect slice.
Step 5: Cool and Slice
Once out of the oven, let your pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing. This rest period allows the cheese and toppings to set slightly, making slicing easier and preventing a mess. Then, grab your favorite pizza cutter and slice into 8 generous pieces—time to dig in!
How to Serve Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a fresh garnish can elevate your Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe beautifully. A sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or a handful of arugula on top adds a peppery brightness that contrasts wonderfully with the rich meats. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or chili flakes can also bring a lovely finishing touch.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs exceptionally well with simple sides that won’t compete with its hearty flavors. Consider a crisp garden salad with a tangy vinaigrette or garlic-roasted vegetables to round out your meal. For a more indulgent approach, serve it alongside cheesy garlic bread or buffalo wings to create a true party spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe the star of your table by serving it on a rustic wooden pizza peel or a cast-iron skillet for a charming, cozy vibe. You can also cut it into smaller squares for a casual party platter or even turn slices into pizza sandwiches for a playful twist everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pizza is always a treasure, and storing it properly keeps flavors fresh. Wrap slices tightly with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container, then refrigerate for up to 3 days. This way, each bite stays as delicious as when it was freshly baked.
Freezing
If you want to save your Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe for longer, you can freeze individual slices. Wrap each slice in parchment and foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen pizza maintains best quality for up to 2 months, perfect for quick meals on busy days.
Reheating
To enjoy your leftover Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe with crispy crust and melted cheese, reheat slices in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, use a skillet on medium heat with a lid to warm through without sacrificing that perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use different types of meat in this Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap or add meats like salami, pancetta, or even grilled chicken to personalize the pizza to your taste.
Do I have to cook the meats before adding them to the pizza?
Yes, pre-cooking meats like sausage, ground beef, and bacon ensures they’re fully cooked and that excess fat doesn’t make the pizza soggy.
What can I use if I don’t have a pizza stone?
A baking sheet works perfectly well if you don’t have a pizza stone—just preheat it in the oven for a crisp crust.
How thick should I roll the pizza dough?
Rolling the dough into about a 12-inch circle with medium thickness works best to balance a crispy crust with the hearty toppings.
Can I make the dough from scratch?
Definitely! Homemade dough adds a wonderful personal touch, but store-bought dough is a fantastic shortcut that still yields great results.
Final Thoughts
This Meat Lovers Pizza Recipe isn’t just any pizza; it’s a celebration of juicy, smoky, and savory flavors that come together to delight every pizza lover’s palate. Whether it’s a weekly family dinner or a weekend treat, I encourage you to dive in and make this recipe your own—it’s guaranteed to become a household favorite that everyone will ask for again and again.
Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and delicious Meat Lovers Pizza loaded with a variety of flavorful meats, gooey mozzarella cheese, and a crispy golden crust perfect for any pizza night or main course meal.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Olive oil for brushing
Sauce and Cheese
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Meats
- 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
- 1/2 cup cooked ground beef
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/4 cup diced ham
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 475°F and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat thoroughly for a crisp crust.
- Prepare Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle to form the base. Transfer the rolled dough onto a sheet of parchment paper for easy handling.
- Brush Crust: Lightly brush the edges of the pizza dough with olive oil to help achieve a golden, crispy crust during baking.
- Add Sauce: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, keeping a 1-inch border along the edges to form the crust rim.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese uniformly over the sauce layer for a melty, cheesy topping.
- Top with Meats: Evenly distribute cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni, bacon, and diced ham over the cheese layer for a loaded meat experience.
- Season: Sprinkle Italian seasoning across the top to enhance the flavor profile of the pizza.
- Bake: Carefully transfer the pizza, along with the parchment paper, to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the crust edges are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing into 8 slices. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to customize the meats to your preference; salami, pancetta, or chicken are great alternatives.
- For extra crispiness and to reduce grease, cook all meats ahead of time until browned and drain any excess fat before adding to the pizza.
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier crust but a baking sheet works well too.
- Brushing the crust with olive oil enhances browning and adds flavor.
