Meat Lovers Pizza

This Meat Lovers Pizza is piled high with melty cheese, spicy pepperoni, crispy bacon, juicy sausage crumbles, and herby Italian seasoning! Learn how to make this hearty pizza quick and easy in your very own kitchen! 

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There’s no meal more perfect than a slice of hot, crisp, and cheesy, pizza. If you feel me, you’ve come to the right place! I love making homemade pizza; it’s so much fun and I can get the whole family involved (most of the time).

Sure, takeout pies are delicious and convenient but being in control of your own flavors and textures is such a great experience. The best part is, once you’ve done it a few times pizza making is a breeze!

Today, we’re making one of my favorite pizza varieties: Meat Lovers. Smoky bacon, tender ham, spicy pepperoni, and well-seasoned Italian sausage crumbles are spread out onto a fluffy crust coated in sweet marinara and freshly shredded mozzarella cheese in this deliciously classic recipe. Let’s get to cooking y’all!

What are the toppings?

A meat lover’s pizza is just what it sounds like: a pizza piled high with salty, hearty meat. The meat toppings can vary but, typically, this decadent pie is served up with crumbled italian sausage, bacon bits, pepperoni slices, and sliced Canadian (or regular) ham. 

How to Make Meat Lovers Pizza 

The difficulty of this recipe will depend on whether or not you decide to make a homemade dough. I often make large batches of my pizza dough recipe and freeze the leftovers for later on. 

There’s nothing wrong with going the pre-made dough route! I do it quite often and still get amazing results. Either way, be patient with the dough and don’t worry if you don’t get that perfect circle- it takes practice, people! 

I recommend spooning the pizza onto the dough and spreading it, rather than dumping it on all at once. That’ll make the dough heavy and soggy.

Layer on the toppings however you’d like! Use this recipe as more of a guideline and feel free to make it your own: use different meats, adjust the measurements, etc.

Watch the pizza closely as it cooks. Not just because it cooks quickly but also because it’s fun! The crust rises, the cheese bubbles, and the pepperonis curl and crisp. It’s the best sight to see.

Pizza Making Tips 

• If you prefer a little more texture on the bottom of your pizza, sprinkle a couple tablespoons of cornmeal on the bottom of the pan.
• Really want to save time? Try this recipe using a 12-inch sized pre-baked crust. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for temperature and bake time.
• Thinly sliced green peppers, onions, olives, and mushrooms all make great veggie additions to this pie!
• For a fresher taste, try making your own pizza sauce at home. I’ve got a great recipe right here.
• You can use any kind of cheese you’d like! Provolone, gouda, or a mild cheddar would work. Mix up a couple different cheeses for a fermented, sharp taste.
• I recommend slightly under-cooking your protein since it will cook a little bit more once it’s on your pizza.
• Start checking the pizza for doneness at about 10 minutes. It’ll be up to you to decide how crispy you’d like the crust to be. I find that 13 minutes in my oven makes for a crisp, yet fluffy crust. 

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Meat Lovers Pizza 

If you take a little extra time to properly store your pizza, you’ll end up with fresher tasting leftovers, and the texture will be more similar to when it was fresh. 

I like to line an airtight container with paper towels and stack each slice inside in between layers of more paper towels. If you need to, separate the slices into more than one container. 

Place the container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Refrigerated pizza can be reheated on a pizza pan in a conventional oven set to 350 degrees or toaster oven set to 400 degrees. Watch the slices closely and heat until bubbly and heated through, about 5-10 minutes. 

Can I freeze homemade pizza?

Absolutely! Stock your freezer with leftover pizza slices as a gift to your future self. To do so, wrap the individual slices in plastic wrap and then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once they’re nice and frozen, go ahead and transfer the slices to freezer-safe zip top bags and label them with the date. 

Frozen meat lovers pizza will keep for about 2 months. (If it lasts that long of course.)

The Best Way to reheat pizza

The best way to reheat a slice or two of pizza is on the stovetop using a large skillet, a little water, and a lid. Preheat the skillet to medium heat, add about a tablespoon of water per slice, and cover the skillet. Heat the pizza for about 3-5 minutes, adding another splash of water if you need to buy a little more time. This method can also be used for refrigerated leftover pizza. 

If heating up four or more slices, use the oven broiler and preheat a baking sheet for about 5 minutes and then add the slices to the hot pan and continue to low broil for 4-5 minutes longer, or until the cheese is bubbly.

Grandbaby Cakes Best Pizza Recipes

My family and I have pizza night at least once a week! We love getting in the kitchen together and making our favorite cheesy concoctions. 

Try out a few more of our family-favorite pies: 

• Grilled Prosciutto Arugula Pizza
• Garlic Herb Crust Pepperoni Pizza
• Sicilian Pizza
• Philly Cheese Steak Pizza
• Mexican Pizza.