Description
How to make adorable heart-shaped mini pizzas with store-bought dough, marinara, and cheese that are perfect for a fun Valentine’s Day treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- Dough & Foundation:
- 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- Flavor & Aroma:
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (chiffonade)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Essential Seasonings:
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep Dough: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly flour your work surface and unroll the pizza dough. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out adorable Heart-Shaped Mini Pizzas. Transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Season Sauce: In a small bowl, combine marinara sauce with garlic powder, dried oregano, Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well until all seasonings are fully incorporated into the sauce.
- Build Pizzas: Lightly brush the edges of each dough heart with olive oil. Spoon the seasoned marinara sauce onto the center of each Heart-Shaped Mini Pizza, leaving a small border. This prepares them for baking.
- Bake Pizzas: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese generously over the sauced dough hearts. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Garnish Finish: Once baked, remove the mini pizzas from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the thinly sliced fresh basil over the warm pizzas. The heat will slightly wilt the basil, releasing its delightful aroma for serving.
- Serve Warm: Let the Heart-Shaped Mini Pizzas cool slightly for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy these delightful treats with loved ones for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. They’re perfect for sharing!
Notes
Avoid overbaking; bake until golden and cheese is bubbly (10-12 minutes) to prevent dry, hard crusts.
Store leftover mini pizzas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Homemade pizza dough is a great alternative; roll to 1/4-inch thickness for even baking.
Serve warm as an appetizer or main dish, delightful with a crisp green salad or sparkling cider.
Prepare dough hearts and season marinara a day ahead, refrigerating separately for quick assembly.
**Allergy Information:** Dairy, Eggs, Gluten