Spicy Garlic Pepperoni Pan Pizza

There's nothing better than an easy meal that uses a store-bought shortcut except for one that also tastes gourmet to boot. This pan pizza recipe highlights ready-made dough, a flavorful sauce, and customizable toppings all from Trader Joe's for an unforgettable dish even more delicious than takeout. No wonder everyone on the internet is "Tokking" about it.

You can grab everything for this pan pizza recipe right at your local TJ's, or pick up dupes at your go-to grocery store. We have step-by-step instructions to get you ready for dinnertime magic, complete with crispy edges and a gooey center.

What Is a Pan Pizza?

First, let's talk about what a "pan pizza" is, anyway. This easy-to-make style is simply a pizza cooked in a baking pan or cast iron skillet, resulting in a thicker, more bready crust. Pan pizzas are especially popular to whip up at home because you don't need any special pizza stones or ovens to get perfectly cheesy results.

Pan pizzas are also known for having a substantial amount of toppings. You might envision a fully loaded "Detroit-style" with its square shape and thick, crispy crust. Or a Chicago deep dish. Pan pizzas can vary in style and toppings depending on preferences.

This particular take on a pan pizza features garlic and hot pepper spreads in place of tomato sauce, which the recipe developer says "adds such a nice, slightly pungent garlicky flavor, followed by a funky kick from pepper sauce." Along with the toppings, it makes for a unique twist on traditional pizza. The garlic spread is creamy when baked and perfectly plays the sauce role. Its sharp flavor mellows after cooking, offering a savory mild-garlic taste. Add to that the cured meats for a sharp, salty bite that contrasts with the rich spreads and cheese. It's all wrapped in a crunchy, golden crust with a doughy, yet sturdy center, packed with flavor.

How to Make the Viral Trader Joes Pizza

To make this pizza, add these ingredients to your shopping list, from Trader Joe's or otherwise:

• Fresh Pizza Dough: Choose either plain or TJ's Herb & Garlic. Our test kitchen preferred the results from a fresh, plain Publix dough, but choose your favorite store-bought version. You can even pick one up from a pizzeria or make your own.
• Trader Joe's Garlic Spread-Dip: We already love this spread a creamy, emulsified mix of garlic, oil, lemon, and salt. This toum-style dip will give the pizza its base of flavor. Publix and other retailers carry a similar product from the brand "Toom" near the hummus and dips.
• Trader Joe's Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce: This favorite condiment is a fermented chile paste made from Calabrian chiles. Its spicy, vinegary, and deep in flavor. No TJ's? Use another fermented hot sauce or simply some chopped Calabrian chiles.
• Cheeses: For ease, we use shredded mozzarella in this recipe. However, in other versions we've seen and in our tester's video fresh burrata and marinated fresh mozzarella balls (from Trader Joe's, of course) make a rich and delicious choice, too.
• Meats: Calabrese salami and pepperoni add spice and umami to round the pizza out and make it extra hearty.
• Trader Joes Pesto Genovese: Dollops of pesto on the pizza make for bright, herbaceous bites that add depth to the slices. Your favorite pesto works here, store-bought or homemade.
• Finishes: In the recipe below we garnish the molten hot pizza with fresh basil (because pizza is always better with basil). You can also add fresh, peppery arugula and a drizzle of balsamic glaze to up the ante as shown in the video.

Once you have your goods, layer them on as you assemble the pizza of your dreams in a 9x13-inch pan, doubling your layers of meat and cheese. Send it into a 450F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling. Top with the finishes of your choice, cut into squares, and dig in. Your taste buds won't know what hit them.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Remove pizza dough from refrigerator 20 minutes before making pizza.
3. Preheat the oven to 450F (230C). Spray a metal 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
4. Place pizza dough in baking pan and stretch to reach the corners. If dough is hard to stretch and springs back, cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it relax for 10 minutes until it becomes pliable.
5. Spread Garlic Spread-Dip evenly over the dough, edge to edge, using a spoon or small offset spatula.
6. Dollop Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce over the spread, and use a spoon to spread it evenly.
7. Place half of the salami and half of the pepperoni over the sauces, then sprinkle with cup mozzarella cheese.
8. Top with the remaining salami and pepperoni, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
9. With a small spoon, dollop pesto, about teaspoon at a time, over the pizza.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the dough has puffed, is golden brown around the edges and bottom, and the cheese has melted, rotating the pan halfway through.
11. Using a large spatula, remove the pizza from the oven and carefully transfer it to a cutting board. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves, slice, and serve!

Recipe Tips:

• If the dough is hard to stretch, allow it to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. This helps relax the gluten and makes it easier to work with.
• If you dont have a pizza cutter, use a chef's knife or kitchen shears to slice the pizza.

Substitutions and Variations:

• Swap out the mozzarella or burrata for a different cheese or cheese blend, but note that it may affect the cheese pull.
• For a different twist, substitute the meats with prosciutto or go meatless with roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or onions.
• Make your own pizza dough or garlic spread for a fully homemade version.
• Use Trader Joes premade pizza crust to skip stretching dough altogether.
• Top your pizza with fresh arugula, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or hot honey for added flavor.

How to Store Leftovers:

Store any leftover pizza in an airtight in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Reheat by placing the pizza in a hot oven (around 375F) for a few minutes to get the crust crispy again.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 578
• Total Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 1293mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 59g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 22g
• Vitamin C: 6mg
• Calcium: 312mg
• Iron: 4mg
• Potassium: 328mg

Note: Nutrient information is based on available data and may vary depending on specific ingredients used.