Introduction
There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked pizza wafting from your own kitchen. This Homemade Pizza Recipe is everything you want—crispy crust, rich tomato sauce, melty cheese, and your favorite toppings layered to perfection. Whether you’re making pizza night a weekly tradition or just want a fun dinner project, this recipe delivers bold flavor with a chewy, golden crust that rivals your favorite pizzeria.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy homemade dough with simple pantry ingredients
- Customizable toppings for every taste and dietary need
- Pre-baking the crust means no soggy centers
- Rich tomato sauce made from scratch in just 10 minutes
- Perfect for family dinner, date night, or game day
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for extra chew)
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm water (110°F)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
For the Pizza Sauce:
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 slices pepperoni (or your choice of protein)
- ½ cup sliced bell peppers
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- ¼ cup black olives
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp dried oregano (for garnish)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Make the Pizza Dough
- In a small bowl, stir together warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
- Add yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir until a rough dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
2. Prepare the Pizza Sauce
- In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Stir in tomato sauce, paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Shape & Pre-Bake the Dough
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
- If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
- Punch down dough and roll out into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface.
- Transfer to a parchment-lined pizza pan or baking sheet.
- Brush edges with olive oil.
- Pre-bake crust for 5–7 minutes to prevent sogginess.
4. Assemble the Pizza
- Spread prepared sauce over pre-baked crust.
- Add mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Layer on toppings—pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, olives, onions.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden.
5. Finish & Serve
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with dried oregano, red pepper flakes, or fresh basil.
- Serve with dipping sauces like garlic butter or ranch.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Make-Ahead Dough: Store in fridge for up to 24 hours. Let come to room temp before shaping.
- Freeze Dough: Wrap and freeze raw dough for up to 3 months.
- Leftovers: Store baked pizza slices in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Use a skillet or 375°F oven for 5 minutes for a crispy reheat.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Spicy Pizza: Add jalapeños, spicy sausage, or hot honey.
- Veggie Lover’s: Load up on mushrooms, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and artichokes.
- Hawaiian: Add pineapple and ham.
- Garlic Butter Crust: Brush edges with melted garlic butter before baking.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Want more crowd-pleasing, cheesy comfort foods? Try these next:
- These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast
- This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut
- This Beer Cheese Dip Is My Favorite Party Starter That Disappears in Minutes
- These Easy Turkey Wings Are My Favorite Comfort Food for Lazy Sundays
- This One-Pan Breakfast Bake Will Make You Skip
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Pizza Recipe proves that with just a few simple ingredients and a hot oven, you can create a pizza that’s crispy, cheesy, and totally satisfying. Whether you’re topping it with classic pepperoni or loading it with veggies, this is the ultimate recipe for building your dream pizza—right at home.
Tried it? Let us know how it turned out—and don’t forget to follow for more cheesy, crowd-pleasing comfort food recipes!
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