The Works Pizza from Papa John's features a savory combination of pepperoni, Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives atop a signature hand-tossed crust, baked to golden perfection with melted mozzarella cheese for a hearty and flavorful pizza experience.
Equipments
- Pizza oven
- Dough mixer
- Dough roller
- Pizza peel
- Pizza cutter
- Pizza screen or pan
- Sauce ladle
- Cheese shredder
- Ingredient containers
- Prep table
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Pizza box
Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough (hand-tossed style)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 12 slices pepperoni
- 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage crumbles
- 1/4 cup sliced green bell peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced onions
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
To achieve the authentic taste of The Works Pizza from Papa John's, use fresh, high-quality ingredients such as hand-tossed dough and freshly shredded mozzarella cheese. Make sure the Italian sausage is cooked and crumbled prior to assembling to avoid excess moisture on the pizza. Slicing vegetables uniformly ensures even cooking and balanced flavors with each bite. Use a pizza screen or pan to promote a crispy crust while baking in a hot pizza oven. Your careful selection and preparation of these specific ingredients will help replicate the rich and hearty flavor of The Works Pizza from Papa John's copycat menu.
Instructions
- Preheat pizza oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Lightly flour prep table and roll out pizza dough to 12-inch circle using dough roller.
- Transfer dough to pizza screen or pan.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over dough with sauce ladle, leaving 1/2-inch border.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over sauce.
- Arrange pepperoni slices evenly over cheese.
- Scatter cooked Italian sausage crumbles over pizza.
- Distribute sliced green bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives evenly.
- Use pizza peel to transfer pizza to oven.
- Bake pizza for 10–12 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove pizza from oven with pizza peel.
- Transfer pizza to cutting board and slice with pizza cutter.
- Place pizza in pizza box for serving or delivery.
Substitution
The Works Pizza from Papa John's copycat menu combines pepperoni, Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives on a hand-tossed dough base with mozzarella cheese. You can substitute fresh mushrooms with canned ones if fresh are unavailable, though the texture and flavor will differ slightly. If you lack Italian sausage, ground beef or turkey seasoned with Italian spices works well as an alternative. When using pre-shredded mozzarella cheese, ensure it melts evenly by distributing it in a thin, uniform layer. For equipment, a pizza stone or screen can replace a pizza pan to achieve a crispier crust.
Tips
Ensure your dough is evenly rolled to avoid uneven cooking and soggy spots on the crust. Use the pizza peel carefully when transferring the pizza to and from the oven to maintain its shape and toppings arrangement. Monitor the baking time closely, as overbaking can cause the crust to become too hard and the cheese to overcook. Always preheat your pizza oven fully to 475degF (245degC) for optimal crust texture and cheese melt.
Nutritions
The Works Pizza from Papa John's provides a balanced mix of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates, offering approximately 320 calories per slice. It contains about 15 grams of protein from toppings like pepperoni and Italian sausage, plus essential vitamins and minerals from green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives. The hand-tossed crust delivers a good source of carbohydrates for energy, while the mozzarella cheese adds calcium and fat. Your overall nutrient intake includes a flavorful combination of macronutrients and micronutrients that contribute to a satisfying meal.
Storage
To keep The Works Pizza fresh, store any leftover slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate within two hours of baking. Your best option is to consume the pizza within 3 to 4 days for optimal flavor and safety. For longer storage, freeze the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag to maintain quality for up to 2 months.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute Italian sausage with spicy chorizo or ground turkey for a different flavor profile and lighter option. Try swapping black olives for sun-dried tomatoes to introduce a tangy sweetness that complements the savory toppings. For a crispier crust, use a pizza stone in place of a pizza screen, preheating it for at least 30 minutes to ensure even baking. Adding fresh basil leaves after baking will enhance aroma and provide a burst of herbal freshness to your pizza.
Allergies
The Works Pizza from Papa John's contains common allergens such as dairy from shredded mozzarella cheese and gluten from the hand-tossed pizza dough. Your risk of allergic reaction may increase due to the presence of meat toppings like pepperoni and Italian sausage, which sometimes contain preservatives or additives causing sensitivities. Individuals allergic to mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or olives should also exercise caution when consuming this pizza.
Why this recipe?
The Works Pizza from Papa John's combines a rich variety of toppings, including pepperoni, Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives, delivering a flavorful and satisfying experience. Its generous ingredients create a balanced taste that appeals to lovers of both meat and vegetables. By making a copycat version at home, you can customize the toppings to suit your preferences while enjoying a cost-effective, fresh alternative. Your efforts in recreating this popular menu item let you savor the same bold flavors anytime.