For those who love meat in all its forms, a Meat Lovers Pizza is the ultimate indulgence. This pizza is packed with all your favorite proteins—pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham—creating a hearty, savory, and irresistible pizza experience. With a crispy crust, melty cheese, and layers of rich, flavorful meat, this pizza is perfect for any meat lover. If you’re ready for a pizza feast that’s loaded with all the meats you could ever want, this recipe is for you!

Ingredients

For the Pizza Dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Toppings:

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• ½ cup cooked sausage, crumbled
• 1 cup pepperoni slices
• ½ cup cooked ham, diced
• Optional: Red onion slices or green bell pepper for added flavor

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pizza Dough

Begin by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center, pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil, and stir until a dough begins to form. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Once kneaded, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

2. Prepare the Tomato Sauce

While the dough is rising, prepare the tomato sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Once the sauce is done, remove it from heat and set it aside.

3. Cook the Meats

To ensure your meats are perfectly cooked, prepare them before assembling the pizza. In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it and set it aside. Do the same with the sausage—cook it until browned and crumbled. Lastly, if using ham, dice it into small pieces and set it aside.

4. Assemble the Pizza

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a floured surface. Roll the dough out to your desired thickness (around 12 inches in diameter) and place it on a pizza stone or baking sheet.

Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.

Now, for the fun part: layering the meats! Begin by adding the crumbled bacon, cooked sausage, pepperoni slices, and diced ham. For even more flavor, you can add red onion slices or green bell peppers, but the focus here is on the meat.

5. Bake the Pizza

Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. If you want a crispier crust, leave it in for a couple more minutes.

6. Garnish and Serve

Once the pizza is out of the oven, allow it to cool for a couple of minutes. Slice it up, serve it with a side of your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy the meaty goodness!

Tips for the Best Meat Lovers Pizza

• Meat Variety: Feel free to experiment with different meats. You can add ground beef, chicken, or even prosciutto for an extra layer of flavor.
• Cheese: While mozzarella is the go-to cheese for pizza, adding provolone or cheddar will give the pizza an even richer, more complex flavor.
• Crispy Bacon: For crispy bacon, bake the strips in the oven on a rack or in a skillet until they’re crispy, then crumble them onto the pizza for the perfect texture.
• Meat Pre-cooking: Be sure to cook all meats before adding them to the pizza to avoid excess moisture and ensure everything cooks evenly.

Conclusion

The Meat Lovers Pizza is a hearty, satisfying dish that’s sure to delight anyone with a passion for meat. With layers of pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham, along with melty mozzarella cheese and a flavorful tomato sauce, this pizza hits all the right notes. Perfect for a meat-filled dinner or a pizza party with friends, this recipe is guaranteed to please everyone at the table.

Enjoy every bite of this meaty masterpiece, and happy cooking! 🍕