Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes with Pepperoni (Print version)

Cheesy muffin tin deep dish pizza cupcakes layered with sausage, pepperoni, sauce, and crisp golden crust edges.

# Ingredients:

For the cups

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more if needed for the pan
02 - 1 lb (450 g) refrigerated pizza dough, cold
03 - All-purpose flour, for rolling

For the filling

04 - 8 oz (225 g) Italian sausage, casings removed if needed
05 - 1/2 cup (75 g) diced bell pepper
06 - 4 oz (115 g) provolone cheese, diced small
07 - 1/2 cup (45 g) chopped pepperoni, plus 12 small slices for topping
08 - 1 cup (115 g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella
09 - 3/4 cup (180 ml) thick pizza sauce
10 - 1/2 cup (45 g) finely grated parmesan cheese
11 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - Pinch of salt, if needed

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush a standard 12-cup muffin pan generously with olive oil, coating the bottoms and sides.
02 - Brown the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles. Stir in the diced bell pepper for the last 2 minutes, then drain excess fat.
03 - Roll the cold pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut twelve 4-inch rounds, rerolling scraps as needed.
04 - Press one dough round into each muffin cup. Push from the center outward and up the sides so the dough forms a sturdy cup.
05 - Divide the provolone, sausage mixture, chopped pepperoni, mozzarella, and pizza sauce among the dough cups. Press each cup gently so the filling settles without spilling over.
06 - Top each cup with parmesan and a pepperoni slice. Bake for 20-24 minutes, until the crust edges are golden and the cheese is bubbling.
07 - Let the pizza cupcakes rest in the pan for 8 minutes. Loosen with a thin knife, lift out carefully, and finish with parsley and black pepper.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served warm while the cheese is soft and the crust edges are crisp.
02 - Use thick pizza sauce to keep the dough from turning soggy.
03 - Leftovers reheat best in a 350°F oven.

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