Pepperoni Pizza Layer Cake

If you’re anything like me, pizza night is sacred—and always welcome. But every once in a while, I like to shake things up just a bit. That’s where this Pepperoni Pizza Layer Cake comes in. It’s bold, cheesy, and layered like a lasagna, but with all the flavors you love from your favorite pizza. Think of it as the ultimate mash-up of comfort food classics—easy to prep, super fun to serve, and practically guaranteed to wow a hungry crowd.

I first made this for a family game night where I wanted to offer something a little extra without spending hours in the kitchen. Spoiler alert: there were zero leftovers. Everyone was talking about the “pizza cake” days later, and it’s become a regular request ever since. The best part? You can customize it endlessly. I kept it classic here with pepperoni and ground beef, but feel free to throw in your favorites.

Let’s dive in and get the first part of this cheesy masterpiece going.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pizza Layers:

• 2 pre-made pizza crusts (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 cup pizza sauce

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 cup pepperoni slices

• 1 cup cooked ground beef, seasoned with salt and pepper

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

For the Topping:

• Extra mozzarella cheese for melting

• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

STEP 1: PREP THE OVEN AND MEAT

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C), or follow the instructions on your pizza crust packaging if it differs. While that’s heating up, grab a skillet and cook your ground beef over medium heat. Make sure you break it up as it browns so you get nice little crumbles. Once it’s fully cooked, drain any excess fat, season with a bit of salt and pepper, and set it aside.

Quick Tip: This is a good time to sneak in extra flavor. Add a pinch of garlic powder or Italian seasoning to the meat while it’s cooking if you want to level t

this recipe

STEP 2: BUILD THE FIRST LAYER

Now grab a large, oven-safe glass baking dish—something with higher sides is ideal, like a 9×13 casserole dish. Lay one of your pre-made pizza crusts at the bottom. This is going to serve as your base.

Spread half of your pizza sauce evenly over the crust. Don’t go too heavy—just enough for a nice coating. Then sprinkle on half of your shredded mozzarella cheese, followed by half of the ground beef. Add a good layer of pepperoni slices on top.

Personal Note: If your crusts are a bit smaller than your dish, no worries! Just center them and let the cheese and toppings do the work to fill out the edges.

STEP 3: ADD THE SECOND LAYER

Place your second pizza crust right on top of the first layer—almost like closing a sandwich. Repeat the process with the remaining sauce, mozzarella cheese, cooked ground beef, and pepperoni.

Then comes the finishing touch for this stage: sprinkle your shredded cheddar cheese across the top. This adds an extra pop of flavor and that gorgeous golden color once baked.

At this point, your pizza cake is fully assembled and ready for the oven, but the fun isn’t over yet.

Bake and Serve the Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza Layer Cake: Gooey, Golden, and Crowd-Approved

Welcome back! If you’ve followed along so far, your Pepperoni Pizza Layer Cake is all prepped and stacked—two layers of cheesy, meaty goodness ready to go in the oven. This is where the magic really starts to happen.

We’re about to bake this beauty until it’s golden brown and bubbly, then top it off with even more melty cheese (because, let’s be honest, there’s no such thing as too much cheese). I’ll also walk you through some helpful tips for making sure everything cooks evenly and how to switch things up with fun topping variations if you want to put your own spin on it.

Let’s jump back into the kitchen and finish what we started!

STEP 4: BAKE TO BUBBLY PERFECTION

Now that your pizza layer cake is stacked and topped with cheddar cheese, it’s time to bake.

Place your dish in the oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 to 20 minutes. What you’re looking for is melted cheese, bubbling sauce, and a crust that’s turning a lovely golden brown. Every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on it around the 15-minute mark.

Tip: If your top crust seems like it’s browning too fast, you can lightly tent it with foil for the last few minutes to avoid over-baking.

STEP 5: ADD THAT FINAL CHEESY FINISH

Here’s where we take things over the top—literally.

Once the initial bake is done and everything looks melty and delicious, remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese on top. This layer will melt down beautifully and create that extra ooey-gooey pull that makes this dish so irresistible.

Pop the dish back into the oven for another 5 minutes or so, just until the mozzarella melts and starts to lightly brown. If you like a little crisp on the cheese, you can broil it for the last 1-2 minutes—but watch closely so it doesn’t burn.

STEP 6: COOL, GARNISH, AND SLICE

As tempting as it is to dig in right away, let the pizza layer cake rest for about 5 to 10 minutes once it’s out of the oven. This helps everything settle a bit, so you can slice clean layers instead of a melty mess.

Right before serving, sprinkle with freshly chopped basil or parsley for a pop of color and freshness. It’s a small touch, but it makes the whole thing look that much more inviting.

Serving Tip: Use a sharp knife or even a pizza cutter to slice through the layers. A spatula with a flat edge helps lift the slices out without losing all that cheesy filling.

Topping Ideas and Easy Variations

One of the best things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can switch up the ingredients based on what you have on hand or what your family loves. Here are a few easy swaps and fun additions:

• Veggie Lover’s Version: Add sautéed mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, or spinach between the layers.

• Spicy Kick: Toss some crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce or add slices of jalapeño to the filling.

• Meat Lovers’ Dream: Mix in cooked sausage or bacon bits for an even heartier take.

• Cheese Swap: Try provolone, gouda, or a smoky mozzarella for extra flavor depth.

Why Pre-Made Crusts Work Best Here

Using pre-made pizza crusts (especially the thicker kind) helps create structure so the cake holds its shape when sliced. It also cuts down on prep time, which is a big win on busy nights or when you’re prepping for a party. Just make sure the crusts are fully cooked (not raw dough), so they don’t get soggy or underdone in the middle.

We’ve stacked it, baked it, and topped it with melty cheese—now it’s time to enjoy every cheesy, meaty bite. But before you head off to make your own, let’s go over a few frequently asked questions that pop up when making this recipe. Whether you’re planning this for a big gathering or just want something new and fun for pizza night, these quick answers will help you pull it off like a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of pre-made crusts?
You can, but it’s important to pre-bake the dough first so it’s fully cooked and firm enough to support the layers. Using raw dough without par-baking may result in a soggy or undercooked middle layer.

2. How do I keep the layers from sliding when slicing?
Let the pizza layer cake rest for 5 to 10 minutes after baking. This allows the cheese and sauce to settle and firm up a bit, so you get clean slices that hold together.

3. What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Leftovers reheat best in the oven or air fryer to maintain that crispy crust and gooey cheese. Cover with foil and heat at 350°F for 10–15 minutes, or until warmed through.

4. Can I freeze this?
Yes! Let the cake cool completely, then wrap individual slices in foil or plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.

5. Is it okay to use different kinds of cheese?
Absolutely. While mozzarella and cheddar are classic choices, feel free to mix in provolone, fontina, or even pepper jack for some spice. Just make sure to use good melting cheeses for that gooey texture.

6. Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Swap out the ground beef and pepperoni for your favorite meat-free alternatives, or load it up with roasted veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini for a hearty, satisfying result.

7. What size baking dish should I use?
A deep 9×13 glass or ceramic dish works great. You want enough depth to hold both crusts and the layers of filling without everything spilling over.

Final Thoughts: A Pizza Party Favorite Worth Repeating

There’s something special about taking a familiar dish like pizza and turning it into something unexpected—and that’s exactly what this Pepperoni Pizza Layer Cake delivers. It’s got all the crave-worthy flavors of traditional pizza, but stacked and baked in a way that turns heads and satisfies even the biggest appetites.

Whether you’re making it for a game day crowd, a birthday party, or just because your usual pizza routine needs a little shake-up, this dish is guaranteed to bring some fun to the table. Plus, the leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) reheat beautifully.

Pepperoni Pizza Layer Cake

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• Author: Sophia

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Description

This Pepperoni Pizza Layer Cake is a fun and hearty twist on the classic pizza night. By layering two loaded pizza crusts with savory meat, melty cheese, and zesty sauce, you get a deep-dish style dish that’s rich in flavor and a real showstopper. Perfect for parties or a family dinner with a creative spin.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Pizza Layers:
2 pre-made pizza crusts (store-bought or homemade)

1 cup pizza sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup pepperoni slices

1 cup cooked ground beef, seasoned with salt and pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

For the Topping:
Extra mozzarella cheese for melting

Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), or according to the instructions for your pizza crust.

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat, season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

In a large glass baking dish, lay one pizza crust as the base. Spread half of the pizza sauce evenly over the crust. Add half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, half of the cooked ground beef, and a layer of pepperoni slices.

Place the second pizza crust on top and repeat the layers with the remaining sauce, mozzarella cheese, cooked ground beef, and pepperoni. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top.

Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese on top. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes until the top cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Let the pizza layer cake cool slightly before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.

Notes

You can customize the fillings with your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers. Using pre-cooked crusts ensures a firm structure and quick bake time. This dish is rich, so small slices go a long way—perfect for sharing.