If you’ve been wondering how to make a heart shaped pizza at home, this simple step-by-step method shows you exactly how to shape pizza dough and bake it without using a special pan.
Made using homemade dough, traditional marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and heart shaped pepperoni made using a cookie cutter.
This is one of my savory Valentine's Day Recipes that makes the perfect first course before dessert on a special night that celebrates love!
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This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2018 with improved photos and step-by-step instructions.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 15 min | Cook/Bake: 16 min | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 8
Main Ingredients: pizza dough, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni
Best For: Valentine’s Day, family dinners, special occasions
Make Ahead: Shape the dough and add toppings, then cover and refrigerate for up to 1 hour before baking
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Pro Tip: Use a small heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out the shapes in the pepperoni
Looking for Valentine's Day Desserts? Try my Heart Shaped Chocolate Covered Strawberries or my Heart Shaped Oreo Truffles.
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Why My Family Homemade Pizza (and Yours Will Too!)
- Helpful Kitchen Tools:
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to shape Pizza Dough into a Heart
- How to Make Heart Shaped Pepperoni
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storage & Serving Tips
- Recipe FAQ's
- Try these Valentine's Day Recipes next...
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Why My Family Homemade Pizza (and Yours Will Too!)
It’s a fun and festive way to celebrate special occasions like Valentine’s Day or family night, and it’s easy to make with simple ingredients.
Everyone can customize their own toppings, and little kids especially love using a cookie cutter to make the cute heart shaped pepperoni, which makes it a hands-on activity the whole family can enjoy.
Helpful Kitchen Tools:
Pizza Stone, Heavy Duty PizzaMore Information4-Inch Super heavyMore InformationHeart Cookie Cutter Set -More InformationReynolds Kitchens Cookie Baking Sheets,More Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here’s a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. For exact amounts and an easy way to shop, use the Instacart button in the recipe card below to add everything to your cart.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use my recipe for homemade beer pizza dough or use a loaf of frozen pizza dough.
- Instead of making one large pizza, try making individual pizzas!
- Get creative with toppings! Try traditional options like pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and olives, or experiment with unique toppings such as pineapple, spinach, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or caramelized onions.
- Try other varieties of cheese like provolone, fontina, cheddar, feta, goat cheese, or Gruyère.
- Don't want to fuss with pizza dough? Try my Mini Heart Shaped Pizzas that uses Pillsbury Refrigerated Biscuits.
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
How to shape Pizza Dough into a Heart
Step 1: Roll the dough into a 12-inch circle, then gently shape it into a heart by pinching the bottom center and curving the sides and top. Transfer the shaped dough to a preheated Pizza Stone, then quickly spread the marinara sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
How to Make Heart Shaped Pepperoni
Step 2: Press the mini heart-shaped cookie cutter firmly into the pepperoni, applying even pressure to cut through the slice. Twist the cookie cutter slightly to ensure a clean cut.
Step 3: Bake in a preheated 435°F oven. It should take about for about 16 minutes or until the crust is brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO lightly flour your hands when shaping the dough to help keep the heart shape neat and prevent sticking.
❌ DO NOT stretch the dough too thin in the center, or it may tear and lose its heart shape while baking.
Storage & Serving Tips
Refrigerator: Allow the leftover pizza to cool down to room temperature before storing. Wrap individual slices in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Or you can try this airtight pizza storage container.
Freezer: Wrap individual slices or the whole pizza tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before storing it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months.
Serving Tips: Use a Pizza Wheel Cutter to slice the pizza and serve while it's still hot. If you like dipping sauces, try these very popular Pizza Dipping Sauces recipe that go great with homemade pizza. My husband loves the ranch dipping sauce.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
No, you do not need a heart shaped pan to make heart pizza. The dough can be shaped by hand on a pizza stone or baking sheet using your fingers to form the curves and point of the heart.
Yes, you can absolutely use store-bought pizza dough instead of homemade. It works just as well and makes this heart shaped pizza even quicker and easier to prepare.
To help the dough keep its heart shape while baking, avoid stretching it too thin and be gentle when shaping. Chilling the shaped dough for a few minutes before adding toppings and baking can also help it hold its shape better in the oven.
Try these Valentine's Day Recipes next...
- Check out my recipe for Pudding Filled Puff Pastry Hearts or Valentines Day Ice Cream Floats to complete this meal.
- You might also enjoy this recipe for Caprese Salad to serve as a side dish.
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📖 Recipe Card
How to Make a Heart Shaped Pizza (Easy Step-by-Step Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 loaf homemade or store-bought pizza dough
- ½ cup pizza or marinara sauce
- ¾ cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup olive oil optional
Method
- Using a small heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out the shapes from the pepperoni slices.
- Roll out the pizza dough into a large 12 inch circle and then form the dough into the shape of a heart.
- Gently place the dough on top of a preheated pizza stone.
- Quickly the marinara sauce on top of the dough followed by the mozzarella cheese and then arrange the heart shaped pepperoni on top.
- Brush the pizza crust with olive oil if desired. It's not necessary, but it gives a nice flavor to the crust.
- Place the pizza stone into a preheated 435 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until the crust is brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Nutrition
Notes
Preheat the Pizza Stone:
- Pizza stones need to be preheated and HOT when you place the pizza dough on top.
- If you place the raw pizza dough on top of a cold pizza stone, you will not have a crisp crust.
Kelly says
Great Valentine's Day idea with the kids. Thanks for sharing with us on the Homestead Blog Hop. Hope to see more this Wednesday 🙂
Lois says
Thank you!