Heart-shaped pizzas are perfect for spreading the love! You can make a fun and tasty meal that’s great for parties or date nights. Top them with your favorite ingredients.
Honestly, who can resist a pizza that looks like a heart? They make any meal feel special! I love serving these with a side of cheesy breadsticks for a cozy dinner. ❤️
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pizza Dough: Pre-made dough is a huge time-saver. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own dough. If you’re gluten-free, there are great gluten-free pizza dough options available in stores.
Pizza Sauce: Store-bought sauce works well, but you can also use marinara or crushed tomatoes with Italian seasoning. For a fresh flavor, consider a homemade sauce using canned tomatoes and herbs.
Cheese: Mozzarella is the classic choice because it melts beautifully. If you want a bolder flavor, try adding provolone or goat cheese. Vegan cheese is also a fantastic substitute for a plant-based option.
Toppings: Pepperoni is a favorite, but feel free to swap it with turkey pepperoni, veggies, or even pineapple! If you prefer a meatless pizza, skip the meats entirely and load up on more veggies.
How Do I Make Sure My Heart-Shaped Pizzas Bake Perfectly?
Baking these adorable heart-shaped pizzas right can make all the difference in texture and taste. Preheating your oven is crucial. Make sure it’s hot enough so the crust cooks thoroughly while the cheese melts perfectly.
- Roll the dough evenly to avoid uneven cooking. Use flour if the dough sticks.
- Don’t overload the toppings! Less is more to keep pizzas crisp.
- If using a pizza stone, let it heat for at least 30 minutes for a nice, crispy crust.
- Keep an eye on the pizzas during the last couple of minutes of baking to prevent burning.
How to Make Heart Shaped Pizzas
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pizza:
- 1 pre-made pizza dough (about 1 pound)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken or Italian sausage, diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Olive oil for brushing
- Cornmeal or flour for dusting
- Red pepper flakes for serving (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This tasty heart-shaped pizza recipe takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare and 10-12 minutes to bake. So, you can have these delicious pizzas ready to enjoy in just about 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheating the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 450°F (232°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven now so it can heat up nicely while you prepare your pizzas.
2. Rolling Out the Dough:
Take the pre-made pizza dough and place it on a clean, lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. This will give you a nice base for your pizzas!
3. Cutting Out Heart Shapes:
Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out heart shapes from the rolled-out dough. Don’t worry if you have leftover dough—just gather the scraps, reroll them, and cut out more hearts!
4. Preparing the Pizzas for Baking:
Place the heart-shaped dough pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet or onto a pizza peel if you are using a pizza stone. Make sure they have some space between them. Brush a little olive oil over the surface of each heart. This adds great flavor and helps the crust get nice and crispy.
5. Adding the Sauce and Toppings:
Spread about a tablespoon of pizza sauce on each heart-shaped dough piece, leaving a little border around the edges. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce, then add your pepperoni slices, diced green bell peppers, or any other toppings like cooked chicken or Italian sausage that you want. If you like, sprinkle a little grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning on top for extra flavor.
6. Baking the Pizzas:
If you’re using a pizza stone, carefully transfer your pizzas onto the preheated stone. If not, just place the baking sheet directly in the oven. Bake the pizzas for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
7. Serving Your Heart-Shaped Pizzas:
Once baked, carefully remove the pizzas from the oven and let them cool slightly. If you like a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top before serving. Now, grab a slice and enjoy your adorable heart-shaped pizzas!
Can I Use Homemade Pizza Dough Instead of Pre-Made?
Absolutely! If you prefer homemade dough, just ensure it’s enough to roll out to about 1 pound. Follow your favorite recipe, and remember to let it rise before shaping. This will give you a fresh and delicious base for your heart-shaped pizzas.
What Toppings Can I Substitute for Pepperoni?
You can easily swap out pepperoni for other toppings like sliced mushrooms, olives, or cooked bacon. For a vegetarian option, try adding more bell peppers, onions, or zucchini. Just remember to adjust the quantity based on your preference!
How to Store Leftover Heart-Shaped Pizzas?
Cool the pizzas completely, then store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melty again.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance. After making it, let it rise, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready, take it out to get to room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling it out.
