A nostalgic, flavor-packed take on a beloved street-style pizza from Pune, India. This cheesy, spicy veggie pizza is layered with red onions, green peppers, and a bold tomato sauce, all baked on a crisp sourdough base.
A fusion of easy shortcuts and iconic ingredients like, the popular Indian Amul cheese, brings it to life in your own kitchen.
A homesick Puneite… that’s me! It’s been a while since I last visited mom and dad back home. Whenever that longing hits hard, I turn to my kitchen to recreate some of my most cherished Pune food memories. A slice of this homemade Indian-Style Spicy Peppers & Onion Pizza. It’s loaded with the quintessential Indian, Amul cheese, is spiced just right, and baked to golden, bubbly perfection. One bite takes me straight back to the busy streets of Pune, at my favorite joint.
It’s my edible time machine, taking me from the Bay Area right back to bustling Pune. I make it using store-bought pizza dough, a jarred spicy marinara sauce, and of course, Amul cheese. Simple shortcuts, but the flavors hit the spot and take me all the way back!
My Must-Have from Supreme
Supreme Corner, a no-frills local joint on J.M. Road, is always buzzing. Nestled among retail outlets and flanked by Sambhaji Park, it has long held a reputation for its pav bhaji. However, for me, the true star of the menu has always been their iconic veg pizza. On my last trip to Pune, I didn’t get a chance to go eat there in person—thanks to the heavy monsoon rains—but I got it delivered to my parents’ home and happily enjoyed a few slices of my childhood.
With its crisp edges and soft, bready center, the stovetop pan-cooked crust was layered with a spicy-sweet tomato sauce, crunchy red onions, green peppers, and that glorious blanket of melted Amul cheese. It wasn’t fancy, but it was perfect—and exactly the inspiration I needed to recreate it in my pizza oven.
The Key Ingredients
What makes my pizza unmistakably “Supreme-style” is the Amul cheese. It’s a semi-soft, creamy, salty, and stretchy processed cheddar cheese. This cheese is an icon in India, with a flavor that lands somewhere between a sharp cheddar and a processed American cheese. If you have access to it, it’s worth tracking down for that distinct desi pizza vibe. You can easily find it in the refrigerated section of your Indian grocery store or on Amazon, but if you can’t find it, a combination of low-moisture mozzarella and sharp white cheddar gets you pretty close in both melt and flavor.
For the sauce, I use a jarred spicy marinara—something with a little heat to mimic that classic sweet-spicy Indian pizza sauce. You can also go with a good-quality arrabbiata sauce or your favorite tomato-based pizza sauce mixed with a little Sriracha or any other hot sauce that leans bold and punchy.
And the dough? I cheat a little and use store-bought pizza dough from my neighborhood grocery store. You can absolutely make your own or grab some from your local pizzeria. The flavor is all in the sauce, cheese and veggies combo, so it’s okay to keep the base easy!
Serve It Up
This pizza is best served hot out of the oven, with a side of ketchup (yes, really!) and maybe a few chili flakes. That’s how we devoured it growing up—and the combo still holds up, purely for its nostalgic charm. With a crisp, slightly tangy sourdough base, spicy marinara, and that unmistakable Amul cheese finish, it checks every flavor box.
Want to riff on it? Add corn, mushrooms, or even some cubed or crumbled paneer if you’d like. But if you want that true Pune-style bite, stick to just the red onions, green peppers, and loads of Amul cheese.
Why You’ll Love It
If you’ve ever called Pune home, this pizza will taste like a cherished memory—cheesy, spicy, and full of nostalgia. And if you haven’t, it’s the perfect entry point into the kind of food that defines a city through comfort and flavor.
The crisp sourdough crust, jarred spicy marinara with just the right kick, and that stretchy Amul cheese come together in a way that’s both familiar and unexpected. It’s not just pizza—it’s a throwback to carefree dining out with mom and dad or college nights and quick bites with friends, and those tiny moments that end up meaning everything.
1 large green bell pepper, finely diced (see Variations)
1 large red onion, finely diced
500gAmul Cheese block (1 of the two in the package), grated on the large holes of a box grater
Instructions
Preheat your pizza oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions (see FAQs & Notes for oven baking alternative method).
Generously flour your work surface and pizza peel.
Place the dough on the floured surface and stretch it by pressing outward from the center, then working around the edges.
Pick up the dough and gently pinch around the edge, letting gravity help shape it into a 9–10 inch circle.
Transfer the stretched dough onto the floured pizza peel.
Spread a light, even layer of marinara sauce over the base, leaving a ½-inch border.
Top with diced red onions and green peppers.
Finish with a generous layer of the grated cheese.
Bake in the preheated pizza oven (or in a regular oven on a pizza stone) until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
If using a pizza oven, rotate the pizza with a turning peel for even cooking.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 1 minute before slicing.
Slice with a pizza cutter and serve hot (see FAQs & Notes for storage tips).
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Recipe FAQ’s and Notes
Dough
I use store-bought pizza dough from my local grocery store for ease and flavor, but you can use any store-bought pizza dough or make your own at home. Local pizzerias often sell fresh dough too—just ask!
If you’re using store-bought dough, let it rest at room temperature for 30–60 minutes before stretching—it’ll be easier to handle and bake up better.
You can also use arrabbiata sauce or your favorite tomato-based pizza sauce—just be sure it has some kick to match the flavor of a true Indian-style pizza.
Cheese
Amul cheese is key to the nostalgic flavor of this pizza. It melts beautifully and has a distinct salty-sharp taste that’s hard to replicate.
If you can’t find it, a mix of low-moisture mozzarella and sharp white cheddar comes close.
Regular Oven Baking Option
If you don’t have a pizza oven, this recipe works beautifully in a regular oven with a pizza stone or steel.
Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) with the stone inside for at least 45 minutes before baking. Bake the pizza directly on the hot stone for 6–8 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Leftovers Storage & Reheating
Store leftover slices in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in an aluminum foil, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the slices on a skillet over medium heat and cover loosely with a lid to help the cheese melt while keeping the crust crisp—about 3–4 minutes. You can also reheat in a 375°F oven or toaster oven for 5–7 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to preserve that crispy crust!
Want to freeze leftovers? Wrap individual slices tightly in foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Reheat straight from frozen in a 400°F oven for about 10–12 minutes.
Recipe Variations
Want to riff on the toppings?
Try crumbled or cubed paneer, sautéed mushrooms, or corn for extra texture and flavor. But if you want to stay true to the classic, stick with just onions, peppers, and loads of cheese.
Hi I’m Vasanti
…and I ❤️ cooking ‘n clicking! Welcome to Signature Concoctions — where the modern table meets Indian roots. I share recipes that celebrate the vibrant flavors of my Indian heritage, reimagined for everyday life in a modern kitchen.
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