This Pizza Hack Actually Works

Ingredients

• 1 pizza Frozen Four‑Cheese Pizza (defrosted at room temperature; any inexpensive frozen cheese pizza works)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (for sautéing onions)
• 1 medium Onion (diced fine (about ½ cup))
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 small can Tomato Paste (≈6 oz)
• 2 tablespoons Vodka (adds flavor; can substitute with water or broth)
• ¼ cup Heavy Cream (full‑fat for richness)
• ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional heat)
• ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika (adds smoky depth)
• to taste Salt
• to taste Black Pepper
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded; extra for edges)
• 20 slices Baby Pepperoni (adds peppery bite and grease)

Instructions

1. Defrost the Frozen Pizza

   Remove the frozen four‑cheese pizza from the freezer and let it sit on the counter until fully defrosted, about 30 minutes.

   Time: PT30M

2. Sauté Onion

   Heat olive oil in a saucepot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.

   Time: PT3M

3. Add Garlic

   Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

   Time: PT1M

4. Incorporate Tomato Paste

   Stir in the tomato paste, breaking it up with the spoon. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes to deepen the flavor.

   Time: PT5M

5. Add Vodka

   Pour in the vodka, allowing it to sizzle. Let it cook for about 1 minute; a brief flame may appear—remove from heat if it flares.

   Time: PT1M

6. Finish the Sauce

   Stir in heavy cream, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce is smooth and glossy.

   Time: PT2M

7. Cool the Sauce Slightly

   Remove the pot from the burner and let the sauce cool for 2 minutes so it won’t melt the cheese instantly when spread.

   Time: PT2M

8. Preheat Oven

   Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: 450°F

9. Initial Bake of Defrosted Pizza

   Place the defrosted pizza on a square baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until the crust begins to crisp.

   Time: PT15M

   Temperature: 450°F

10. Add Sauce, Cheese, and Pepperoni

    Remove the pizza from the oven. Spread the cooled vodka sauce evenly over the surface, then sprinkle the extra shredded mozzarella around the edges and top with baby pepperoni slices.

    Time: PT5M

11. Final Bake

    Return the pizza to the oven and bake an additional 7 minutes, or until the mozzarella is melted and the edges are bubbly and slightly browned.

    Time: PT7M

    Temperature: 450°F

12. Rest and Slice

    Allow the pizza to rest for 2 minutes before slicing to let the cheese set and the crust retain its structure.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

480

Protein

20 g

Carbohydrates

45 g

Fat

25 g

Fiber

2 g