Homemade pizza is more than just a meal — it’s an experience. Whether you’re planning a cozy Friday night in or a fun family cooking day, making pizza from scratch is surprisingly simple and incredibly satisfying. This recipe walks you through creating the perfect dough and assembling a delicious pie with your favorite toppings. With a crispy, chewy crust and endless flavor combinations, your kitchen might just replace your favorite pizzeria.
Table of Contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pizza
- Foolproof Dough: Soft, elastic, and easy to stretch
- Crispy Crust: Bread flour delivers the perfect crunch
- Customizable Toppings: From classic cheese to gourmet combinations
- Better Than Takeout: No preservatives, all flavor
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Dough can be frozen for later use
🛒 Ingredients
For the Dough (makes 2 pizzas)
- 1½ cups warm water (105°F–115°F)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 3¾ cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp sugar
For the Pizza & Toppings
- Tomato sauce (smooth or pureed)
- Firm mozzarella cheese, grated
- Fresh mozzarella, torn into clumps
- Fontina, Parmesan, or feta (optional)
- Olive oil, for brushing
- Cornmeal, for the pizza peel or baking tray
- Optional toppings: sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, cooked sausage, pepperoni, olives, fresh basil, pesto, arugula
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, salt, sugar, and olive oil. Mix with a dough hook or by hand.
- Knead for 7–10 minutes until smooth and slightly sticky.
2. Let It Rise
- Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise:
- Quick: 1.5 hours in a warm place
- Better: 8 hours at room temp
- Best: 24–48 hours in the fridge (bring to room temp before using)
3. Preheat Oven
- Place a pizza stone or baking tray in the oven and preheat to 475°F for at least 30 minutes.
4. Shape the Dough
- Divide dough in half. Flatten each into a round disk.
- Stretch gently into 10–12″ circles on a floured surface. Let rest 5–10 minutes.
5. Assemble the Pizza
- Lightly sprinkle a pizza peel or tray with cornmeal.
- Brush dough with olive oil. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings. Don’t overload!
6. Bake
- Slide pizza onto the hot stone or tray.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Cool slightly before slicing.
🔁 Dough Tips & Storage
- Best flour: Bread flour yields a chewier, crispier crust
- Proof your yeast: If it doesn’t foam, your yeast is dead — start over
- Make ahead: Freeze dough after rising. Thaw in fridge, then rest at room temp
- Avoid soggy crust: Pre-cook wet toppings or use less sauce
🍕 Topping Suggestions
- Classic Margherita: Tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil
- Meat Lovers: Sausage, pepperoni, ham, mozzarella
- Veggie Supreme: Sautéed mushrooms, peppers, onions, olives
- Gourmet: Pesto, goat cheese, prosciutto, arugula
📊 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, based on dough + sauce + cheese)
- Calories: 322
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 4g
- Carbs: 61g
- Sodium: 710mg
Homemade Pizza & Pizza Dough
Equipment
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Mixing bowls
- – Dough hook or hands
- – Pizza peel or parchment paper
Ingredients
- – 1½ cups warm water 105°F–115°F
- – 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- – 3¾ cups bread flour 490g
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- – 2 tsp kosher salt
- – 1 tsp sugar
- ### Pizza Toppings
- – Tomato sauce
- – Shredded mozzarella
- – Optional: mushrooms peppers, sausage, pepperoni, olives, basil, arugula, parmesan
Instructions
- Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let bloom 5–10 minutes.
- Add flour, oil, and salt. Mix and knead until smooth.
- Let rise for 1½ hours (or cold ferment for 24–48 hrs).
- Preheat oven and stone to 475°F.
- Divide dough into two balls. Stretch each into a 10–12” round.
- Add toppings and bake 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Slice and serve!
Notes
– Let dough rise slowly for better flavor
– Don’t overload with toppings
❓ FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes! The texture may be slightly softer but still delicious.
How do I know when the dough is ready to bake?
It should be doubled in size and elastic when stretched.
Do I need a pizza stone?
No — a thick baking sheet works too, just preheat it well.
Can I freeze the baked pizza?
Yes. Let it cool, slice it, then wrap tightly and freeze. Reheat in the oven.
🥄 Conclusion
There’s nothing quite like homemade pizza. From kneading your own dough to choosing every topping, it’s a deliciously creative and satisfying experience. Whether you’re feeding the family or treating yourself, this recipe will give you perfect results every time. Don’t be surprised if your kitchen becomes everyone’s favorite new pizza spot!