Description

Delight in these charming Heart-Shaped Mini Pizzas, perfect for parties, kids’ events, or a festive Valentine’s Day meal. Made with store-bought or homemade pizza dough, topped with rich mozzarella, Parmesan, savory pepperoni, and fresh vegetables, these mini pizzas bake to golden perfection for a fun and delicious Italian-American treat.

Ingredients

Pizza Base

1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sauces and Cheese

½ cup pizza sauce
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Toppings

½ cup mini pepperoni or sliced regular pepperoni
½ cup sliced bell peppers
¼ cup sliced black olives

Garnish (Optional)

Fresh basil leaves

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Baking Surface: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to approximately ¼-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out mini pizza shapes and transfer them carefully onto the prepared baking sheet.
Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush the tops of each dough heart with olive oil for a golden crust and enhanced flavor.
Apply Sauce: Spoon a small amount of pizza sauce onto each dough heart, spreading it evenly while leaving a small border around the edges to contain the toppings.
Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses over the sauce. Then add pepperoni slices, bell peppers, and black olives as desired. Finish by sprinkling Italian seasoning over each mini pizza.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crusts turn golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the mini pizzas from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves if using. Serve warm for the best taste experience.

Notes

You can customize the toppings to suit different preferences, including making vegetarian versions by omitting pepperoni or substituting with vegetables.
Feel free to use cooked sausage or ham as alternative protein toppings.
These mini pizzas are an excellent choice for parties, kids’ events, or themed Valentine’s celebrations due to their charming heart shape and shareable size.