Papa John's Original Pizza
A copycat of Papa John's original pizza with a sweet hand-tossed crust, uncooked signature tomato sauce, whole-milk mozzarella and the iconic garlic butter dipping sauce brushed on the crust. Makes 2 large pizzas (8 slices each); total time about 2 hours 30 minutes.
ā±ļø Prep: 30 minš³ Cook: 15 min
Nutritionper 100 gāŗ
270
Calories
11g
Protein
33g
Carbs
10g
Fat
Ingredients
| 3Ā½ cups (440 g) | bread flour (or all-purpose) |
| 1 packet (2Ā¼ tsp / 7 g) | instant yeast |
| 2 tablespoons (25 g) | sugar (for dough) |
| 1Ā½ teaspoons | salt (for dough) |
| 2 tablespoons (30 ml) | vegetable oil |
| 1Ā¼ cups (300 ml) | warm water (110Ā°F / 43Ā°C) |
| 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) | tomato sauce |
| 1 can (6 oz / 170 g) | tomato paste |
| 2 tablespoons (25 g) | sugar (for sauce) |
| 1 tablespoon | garlic powder (for sauce) |
| 2 teaspoons | dried oregano |
| 1 teaspoon | dried basil |
| 1 teaspoon | salt (for sauce) |
| Ā½ teaspoon | black pepper |
| Ā½ teaspoon | onion powder |
| Ā¼ teaspoon | crushed red pepper flakes |
| 4 cups (450 g) | shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk, not part-skim) |
| to taste | pepperoni slices (or toppings of choice) |
| to taste | cornmeal for dusting |
| Ā½ cup / 1 stick (115 g) | butter (for garlic sauce) |
| Ā½ teaspoon | salt (for garlic sauce) |
| Ā¼ teaspoon | garlic powder (for garlic sauce) |
Instructions
- Make the dough: combine the warm water, sugar and yeast in a bowl and let sit 5 minutes until foamy. Add the flour, salt and oil and mix until a dough forms (by hand or with a stand mixer and dough hook). Knead 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Oil a large bowl, add the dough, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place about 1.5 hours until doubled. (Papa John's secret: sugar in the dough gives a slightly sweet crust.)
- Make the signature sauce: combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate 30 minutes so the flavors meld. Do not cook the sauce ā it cooks on the pizza (uncooked sauce gives a brighter tomato flavor).
- Prepare the garlic sauce: melt the butter in a small pan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes without browning. Off the heat, add the salt and garlic powder and pour into dipping containers.
- Shape the dough: preheat the oven to 475Ā°F (245Ā°C), or 500Ā°F (260Ā°C) if it allows. Punch down the dough and divide into 2 equal balls. Let rest 15 minutes, covered. On a floured surface, stretch each ball into a 14-inch (35 cm) circle using your hands, not a rolling pin, for an airier crust. Transfer to pizza pans or stones dusted with cornmeal.
- Build the pizza: spread 1/2 cup sauce on each dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle 2 cups mozzarella on each pizza and add pepperoni or desired toppings. Don't overload ā more cheese than sauce is the Papa John's style.
- Bake at 475Ā°F (245Ā°C) for 12-15 minutes, rotating halfway through. The pizza is done when the crust is golden, the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown, and the bottom is crispy. Remove and let cool 3 minutes before slicing.
- Finish: brush the crust edges with garlic sauce while hot. Cut into 8 slices and serve with extra garlic sauce and pepperoncini.