Homemade Pizza

Make restaurant-quality homemade pizza with a simple dough recipe and fresh ingredients. Customize it with your favorite toppings and bake to perfection for a crispy crust and gooey cheese. Perfect for family nights and easy to adapt to any taste!

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet; see notes)
• ¾ cup warm water (105-115° F)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose or bread flour (plus up to 1/3 cup as needed; 250-290 g)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for bowl and crust)

For the Pizza:

• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (whole milk, low moisture)
• Desired pizza toppings

Pizza Garnishes:

• Roughly chopped parsley
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Red pepper flakes

Instructions

Making the Dough

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, mix the yeast and sugar with warm water. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 5 minutes to activate.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, and half the flour. Stir in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Gradually mix in the remaining flour until a slightly sticky, elastic dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Dust your hands with flour and knead the dough in the bowl for 3-5 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add additional flour in small amounts. The dough is ready when it slowly springs back when poked.
4. First Rise: Coat a large glass bowl with olive oil and place the dough ball inside. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30-60 minutes, or until doubled in size. (For an overnight rise, refrigerate the dough.)

Preparing the Pizza

5. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 450° F at least 30 minutes before baking. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven during preheating.
6. Prepare Dough: Punch down the risen dough and knead 5 times to smooth it. Roll or stretch it into a 12-inch circle and form a crust along the edges with your fingers.
7. Prepare Pan: Remove the pizza pan or stone from the oven and sprinkle it with a thin layer of flour. Transfer the dough onto it. Use a fork to poke small holes in the dough to prevent bubbling. Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil evenly over the dough.

Assembling and Baking

8. Add Toppings: Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and desired toppings.
9. Bake: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes. Ensure the crust is crisp and slightly browned on the bottom. Avoid removing too early, but don’t let the top over-brown.
10. Check and Serve: Use a spatula to check the bottom of the crust for doneness. Garnish with parsley, grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired. Slice and serve!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Customizable: Adapt it with your favorite toppings to suit any taste.
• Simple and Homemade: Enjoy fresh, made-from-scratch dough with minimal ingredients.
• Perfect Texture: Achieve a crispy crust and gooey melted cheese every time.
• Family-Friendly: A fun cooking activity everyone can participate in.

Tips

• Water Temperature: Ensure the water is between 105-115° F for activating the yeast.
• Dough Consistency: If the dough is too sticky, add flour gradually. Avoid adding too much, as it can make the crust dense.
• Crispy Crust: Preheating the pizza stone or pan helps the crust cook evenly and stay crisp.
• Cheese: Use whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella for the best melting and flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

• Flour: Substitute with whole wheat or gluten-free flour for dietary needs.
• Sauce: Use pesto, white sauce, or barbecue sauce instead of pizza sauce.
• Cheese: Experiment with cheddar, provolone, or goat cheese.
• Toppings: Try classics like pepperoni or creative options like arugula, prosciutto, or roasted vegetables.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! You can let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to room temperature before rolling out.

What if I don’t have a pizza stone? A regular pizza pan works fine. Preheat the pan to ensure a crisp crust.

How do I store leftover pizza? Store slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.

Can I freeze the dough? Yes, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use.

Serving Suggestions

• Pairings: Serve with a crisp side salad or garlic bread.
• Beverages: Complement with soda, lemonade, or a light beer.
• Dipping Sauces: Offer ranch, marinara, or garlic butter for dipping crusts.