Frank Pepe’s Pizza is a classic, crispy, wood-fired pizza with a thin, perfectly charred crust topped with savory bacon, sausage, mushrooms, and fresh basil. Simple ingredients come together for a flavorful and satisfying bite, showcasing the best of pizza craftsmanship.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Frank Pepe’s Pizza offers a truly authentic wood-fired pizza experience. The crispy, thin crust paired with the savory toppings creates a balance of flavor and texture that’s hard to beat. The combination of crumbled sausage, bacon, fresh mushrooms, and bell pepper gives each bite a savory depth, while the fresh basil adds a burst of aromatic freshness. This pizza is perfect for anyone who appreciates a high-quality, flavorful pizza made with simple, fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
For the pizza dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the toppings:
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup cooked sausage, crumbled
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon, chopped
- 1/4 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Salt and pepper, to taste
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
- In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, then sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then stir until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a cloth, and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness, then transfer it to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then top with mozzarella cheese.
- Add the crumbled sausage, chopped bacon, sliced mushrooms, and bell pepper on top of the cheese.
- Bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy.
- Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves and drizzle with olive oil.
- Slice and serve hot.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4 servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Variations
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the sausage and bacon and replace them with extra veggies like spinach, olives, or artichokes for a vegetarian version.
- Extra Cheese: Add a blend of cheeses such as parmesan or provolone for a richer, cheesier pizza.
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or drizzle some hot honey over the top for a spicy-sweet twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pizza dough if you need to make the recipe gluten-free.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place slices on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes until the crust is crispy again.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, you can use store-bought pizza dough if you prefer a quicker option. Just make sure to follow the instructions for baking as needed.
How do I prevent the pizza crust from becoming soggy?
Be sure to preheat the pizza stone or baking sheet, and bake the pizza on the lowest oven rack to help achieve a crispy crust.
Can I use a regular baking sheet instead of a pizza stone?
Yes, a baking sheet works well too. Just be sure to preheat it in the oven so the dough can cook evenly and crisply.
How do I make sure my pizza crust is crispy?
Rolling the dough thin and preheating your pizza stone or baking sheet are key steps to achieving a crispy crust. Avoid overloading the pizza with too much sauce or toppings.
Can I add more toppings to the pizza?
Absolutely! Feel free to add more toppings like olives, onions, or pepperoni to customize your pizza to your liking.
How long should I let the dough rise?
Let the dough rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This will ensure the crust has a light, airy texture.
How can I make the pizza spicier?
Add some chili flakes or a few slices of fresh jalapeño peppers to the pizza before baking for a spicy kick.
Can I freeze the pizza dough?
Yes, you can freeze pizza dough. After it rises, wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
Can I use different types of cheese?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, such as cheddar, gouda, or goat cheese, for different flavor profiles.
What kind of bacon should I use for this pizza?
Use your favorite cooked bacon, whether it’s regular or thick-cut. Make sure it’s crispy before adding it to the pizza to prevent it from becoming soggy.
Conclusion
Frank Pepe’s Pizza is a celebration of simple, fresh ingredients coming together for a truly flavorful and satisfying meal. The crispy, thin crust, savory toppings of sausage, bacon, and mushrooms, and the aromatic fresh basil create the perfect balance of flavors. Whether you’re making pizza for a casual dinner or serving it up for a special occasion, this homemade pizza is sure to be a hit!
Frank Pepe’s Pizza
A classic, crispy, wood-fired pizza featuring a thin, perfectly charred crust topped with savory bacon, sausage, mushrooms, and fresh basil. Simple ingredients come together for a flavorful and satisfying bite, representing the best of pizza craftsmanship.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- For the pizza dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For the toppings:
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup cooked sausage, crumbled
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon, chopped
- 1/4 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
- In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, then sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then stir until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness, then transfer it to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then top with mozzarella cheese.
- Add the crumbled sausage, chopped bacon, sliced mushrooms, and bell pepper on top of the cheese.
- Bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy.
- Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves and drizzle with olive oil.
- Slice and serve hot.
Notes
- If you prefer a thicker crust, you can let the dough rise for a longer time before rolling it out.
- Feel free to add more toppings, such as olives or pepperoni, for extra flavor.
- For a wood-fired flavor, you can use a pizza stone and bake the pizza on a grill if you have one.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg