Sheet Pan Pizza Recipe
Perfect for sharing and packed with bold, comforting flavors
What’s better than gathering around a warm, cheesy pizza straight from the oven? This sheet pan pizza brings back those nostalgic weekend vibes with a hearty meat sauce, plenty of gooey cheese, and sweet bell pepper topping. It’s a family favorite that’s just as popular today — simple to prepare, perfect for feeding a crowd, and endlessly satisfying!
What Makes Sheet Pan Pizza Recipe So Delicious?
This pizza is all about balance. A soft yet crisp crust, flavorful meat sauce, and a rich layer of melted cheese. Baking it on a sheet pan makes it easy to serve, cut, and enjoy together. Whether for a casual dinner or a weekend treat, this recipe delivers big flavors with simple ingredients.
Want to mix things up? Try the vegetarian version or change up the toppings to make it your own!
Ingredient Breakdown: How Each One Works Its Magic
Pizza Dough:
- Lukewarm water and yeast
Activate the yeast to create a fluffy, airy dough. - Neutral oil
Adds tenderness and helps develop a golden crust. - Salt
Balances the flavors and strengthens the dough’s structure. - Wheat flour
The foundation of the dough — use all-purpose flour for a classic texture.
Meat Sauce:
- Minced meat
Provides a hearty, savory base for the filling. - Neutral oil
Used for browning the meat and softening the aromatics. - Onion and garlic
Add sweetness and depth to the sauce. - Tomato paste and canned tomatoes
Create a thick, rich sauce that’s full of flavor. - Water
Helps achieve the right consistency for spreading over the dough. - Fresh basil or dried basil
Adds classic Italian herb flavor.
Topping:
- Grated white cheese
Melts beautifully for a gooey, golden topping. - Red bell pepper
Brings sweetness, crunch, and vibrant color. - Fresh oregano
Sprinkled after baking for a burst of fresh, herby aroma.
Make-Ahead Instructions
- Dough: Prepare the pizza dough up to a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Let it come to room temperature before rolling out.
- Meat Sauce: Make the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate it. Warm it slightly before spreading on the dough.
- Assembly: You can assemble the entire pizza (without baking) and store it covered in the fridge for a few hours before baking.
Storing and Reheating
Fridge
- Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing
- Freeze baked pizza slices for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen or thaw before reheating.
Reheating
- Oven (best): Reheat at 180°C (350°F) until the crust is crisp and the cheese is melted.
- Microwave: Use short bursts to avoid sogginess.
Time
- Prep time: 30 minutes (plus rising time)
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: Over 60 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
Stir the yeast into lukewarm water. Add oil, salt, and flour. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Cover and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour). - Make the Meat Sauce:
Heat oil in a large pan and brown the minced meat in two batches. Add chopped onion and garlic; cook until softened.
Stir in tomato paste, canned tomatoes, and water. Simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and basil. - Assemble the Pizza:
Roll out the dough and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the meat sauce evenly over the dough.
Top with grated cheese and diced red bell pepper. - Bake:
Bake in the center of a preheated oven at 225°C (440°F) for about 20 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. - Serve:
Sprinkle fresh oregano over the hot pizza. Serve with a fresh salad and a good vinaigrette dressing for a complete meal.
Ingredients (with Measurements)
4 portions/servings (Large)
Filling:
- 400 g minced meat (about 14 oz)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can chopped canned tomatoes (about 14 oz)
- Approx. 1 dl water (about ½ cup)
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil
Pizza Dough:
- 3 dl lukewarm water (about 1¼ cups)
- 0.5 packet fresh yeast (about 25 g)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 0.5 tsp salt
- Approx. 7 dl wheat flour (about 3 cups)
Topping:
- 300 g grated white cheese (about 10½ oz)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano
Vegetarian Version
You can easily turn this into a delicious vegetarian pizza by replacing the meat filling with a flavorful vegetable-based sauce.
How to Adapt:
- Vegetable Filling:
- Sauté chopped onion, garlic, and a mix of your favorite veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers.
- Add tomato paste, canned tomatoes, and a splash of water. Simmer until thickened.
- Season with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and basil.
- Sauté chopped onion, garlic, and a mix of your favorite veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers.
- Add Plant-Based Protein:
- Stir in cooked lentils, chickpeas, or a plant-based meat substitute for a protein boost.
- Stir in cooked lentils, chickpeas, or a plant-based meat substitute for a protein boost.
- Proceed with Assembly:
- Spread the vegetable sauce on the dough, top with cheese and bell peppers, and bake as directed.
- Spread the vegetable sauce on the dough, top with cheese and bell peppers, and bake as directed.
Tip: Add olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted artichokes for even more Mediterranean flavor!
Nutritional Info
per portion/serving
Calories: 878 kcal Fat: 41 g Protein: 54 g Carbohydrates: 66 g
Sheet Pan Pizza
What’s better than gathering around a warm, cheesy pizza straight from the oven? This sheet pan pizza brings back those nostalgic weekend vibes with a hearty meat sauce, plenty of gooey cheese, and sweet bell pepper topping. It’s a family favorite that’s just as popular today — simple to prepare, perfect for feeding a crowd, and endlessly satisfying!
Ingredients
Filling
- 14 oz minced meat (about 400g)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can chopped canned tomatoes about 14 oz
- ½ cup water (approx. 1 dl)
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil
Pizza Dough
- 1¼ cups lukewarm water (3 dl)
- 0.5 packet fresh yeast (about 25 g)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 3 cups wheat flour (7 dl)
Topping
- 10½ oz grated cheese (300g)
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Stir the yeast into lukewarm water. Add oil, salt, and flour. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
- Make the Meat Sauce: Heat oil in a large pan and brown the minced meat in two batches. Add chopped onion and garlic; cook until softened. Stir in tomato paste, canned tomatoes, and water. Simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and basil.
- Assemble the Pizza: Roll out the dough and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the meat sauce evenly over the dough. Top with grated cheese and diced red bell pepper.
- Bake: Bake in the center of a preheated oven at 225°C (440°F) for about 20 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Sprinkle fresh oregano over the hot pizza. Serve with a fresh salad and a good vinaigrette dressing for a complete meal.