If you have ever dreamed of crafting the perfect pie in your own kitchen, you are going to fall in love with this Homemade Pizza Recipe. There is something incredibly satisfying about taking simple ingredients and transforming them into a crispy, cheesy, bubbling masterpiece that fills your home with irresistible aromas. This recipe captures everything you adore about pizza—golden crust, melty mozzarella, zesty sauce, and pepperoni that crisps just right—all baked to perfection using straightforward techniques that anyone can follow. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a fun night with friends, the joy of making pizza from scratch will quickly become your new favorite kitchen adventure.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every great pizza begins with a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients that each play a key role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. From the supple dough to the cheeses that melt into gooey goodness, here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Pizza dough (1 16-ounce ball): This is your foundation, whether store-bought or homemade, offering that perfect chewy base.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Rubbing this on the dough helps create a crisp, golden crust and seals in moisture.
- Pizza sauce (1 cup): A flavorful layer of tomato goodness that ties all your toppings together.
- Thinly sliced mozzarella cheese (3 ounces): Adds gooey stretch and melt, giving pizza that authentic texture.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (5 ounces): A generous layer for that luscious cheesy blanket.
- Pepperoni (2.5 ounces): The perfect salty and spicy punch that crisps up beautifully in the oven.
- Shredded parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons): Adds a sharp, savory finish to elevate every bite.
How to Make Homemade Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Preparing Your Oven and Dough
Start by heating your oven to its highest temperature setting—ideally 550 degrees Fahrenheit—to achieve that pizzeria-worthy crust. Place your pizza stone or pan in the bottom third of the oven so it gets nice and hot. While it preheats for at least 30 minutes, prepare your work surface by rubbing olive oil or lightly dusting it with flour to prevent sticking. Gently press and stretch your pizza dough into a roughly 12-inch circle, using your hands or a rolling pin and being careful to keep edges slightly thicker for a satisfying crust.
Step 2: Par Baking the Dough
Transfer your stretched dough onto a square of parchment paper for easy handling. Drizzle olive oil over the top and rub it in, especially around the edges. Carefully slide the dough and parchment onto your hot pizza stone or pan and par bake for 1 to 2 minutes until the dough puffs slightly. This step is crucial for a crispy, fully cooked crust that won’t get soggy under the toppings.
Step 3: Adding the Toppings
Keeping the dough on the parchment, spread about a cup of pizza sauce evenly across the surface. Layer the thinly sliced mozzarella first, followed by generous shredded mozzarella, giving your pizza that perfect cheesy depth. Add pepperoni on top—feel free to swap in your favorite toppings if you like—and sprinkle with parmesan cheese for that savory kick.
Step 4: Final Baking
Slide the pizza (this time without the parchment) back onto the hot stone or pan for the final bake. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, watching carefully for golden brown edges and bubbling, lightly browned cheese. If the top browns too fast and the crust isn’t done, tent the pizza with foil to avoid burning. This final step delivers that iconic crisp crust and flavors that meld together beautifully.
Step 5: Cooling and Serving
Once baked to perfection, use a pizza peel to transfer your creation to a cooling rack. This keeps the crust crisp by preventing steam from making the bottom soggy. Let it cool for a few minutes, slice into eight hearty pieces, and get ready to indulge in the fruits of your labor.
How to Serve Homemade Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your Homemade Pizza Recipe by finishing it with fresh basil leaves, a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. These simple touches add vibrant color and layers of flavor that excite your taste buds and make every bite unforgettable.
Side Dishes
Round out your pizza night with classic sides like a crisp Caesar salad or roasted garlic green beans. If you’re feeling indulgent, a bowl of creamy garlic parmesan dipping sauce complements the pizza beautifully, perfect for dunking those crispy crust edges.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your pizza lunchbox-style with individual slices wrapped in parchment paper and tied with kitchen twine. Or, set up a DIY pizza bar where everyone can add their own toppings after the par bake step—a guaranteed hit for family gatherings or casual parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Storing slices on a wire rack inside the container can help preserve crust crispness by preventing moisture buildup.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked pizza slices by wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or storing them in a freezer-safe container. Frozen pizza keeps well for up to two months and makes for a quick, delicious meal anytime.
Reheating
The best way to reheat leftover pizza is in a hot skillet on the stove, uncovered, to restore crust crispness while melting the cheese perfectly. Alternatively, a quick 5-7 minute bake in a 375-degree oven works great, especially if you want the cheese bubbly again.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this Homemade Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought dough works well and can save time, but be sure to let it come to room temperature before stretching for the best texture and easier handling.
What if I don’t have a pizza stone?
No worries. Use a rimmed baking sheet or pizza pan instead. While you might not get quite the same crispy bottom, preheating your pan in the oven helps achieve a nicely cooked crust.
Can I customize the toppings?
Definitely. This Homemade Pizza Recipe is your canvas—try mushrooms, olives, sausage, or fresh veggies. Just remember to avoid overloading so the crust stays crisp and cooks through.
Why should I par bake the dough?
Par baking prevents sogginess by cooking the dough slightly before adding toppings. It ensures a crispy, fully cooked crust, especially important when using moist sauce and cheeses.
How do I make the crust more golden and crispy?
Rubbing olive oil on the dough edges before baking and using a pizza stone or hot pan helps create that perfect golden, crunchy crust that pizza lovers crave.
Final Thoughts
There is truly nothing quite like the joy of making pizza from scratch, especially when you have a dependable and delicious Homemade Pizza Recipe like this one in your repertoire. It’s fun, rewarding, and downright delicious—inviting you to experiment and personalize every pie you bake. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and enjoy the wonderful experience of crafting a pizza that’s all your own.
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Homemade Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (1 12-inch pizza sliced into 8 pieces)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This homemade pizza recipe teaches you how to make a perfect 12-inch pizza with a crispy crust, flavorful sauce, and a generous mix of cheeses and pepperoni. It includes a helpful par-baking step to ensure the crust is thoroughly cooked and crisp, topped with gooey mozzarella, zesty pepperoni, and parmesan cheese, baked to golden perfection in a high-temperature oven.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 16-ounce ball of pizza dough (12 to 16 ounces is fine)
Toppings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for rubbing dough and drizzling)
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 3 ounces thinly sliced mozzarella cheese
- 5 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 and 1/4 cups)
- 2.5 ounces pepperoni (about half a 5 oz package)
- 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Ingredient Prep: Ensure you have the correct amount of toppings for one 12-inch pizza. If you plan to make two pizzas, double the toppings accordingly.
- Preheat Oven and Pizza Stone: Place a pizza stone in the bottom third of your oven or use a rimmed baking sheet or pizza pan if you don’t have a stone. Preheat your oven to 550°F (or as high as it will go, minimum 475°F). Allow the stone to preheat for at least 30 minutes to ensure a hot surface for baking.
- Prepare Work Surface: Lightly oil your counter or dust it lightly with flour to prevent sticking. Avoid excess flour which can toughen the dough.
- Roll Out Dough: Place the ball of pizza dough on your prepared surface and gently pat and stretch it with your hands outward from the center until it measures roughly 12 inches in diameter. You may also use a rolling pin and then shape edges with fingers to form a thicker crust.
- Transfer Dough to Parchment: Place the rolled dough onto a square piece of parchment paper. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the dough and rub it evenly, especially around the crust edges to help crispness.
- Optional Rest: For a thicker crust, let the rolled-out dough rest for 10 minutes before baking. This is optional.
- Par-Bake Dough: Slide the dough (on parchment) onto the hot pizza stone using a pizza peel or flat baking sheet. Bake for 1 to 2 minutes until the dough puffs slightly. Remove carefully back onto the peel, keeping the oven door closed to retain heat. Pop down any large bubbles in the crust.
- Add Toppings: While crust is par-baked, spread 1 cup pizza sauce over the dough, add 3 ounces thinly sliced mozzarella, then sprinkle 5 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Add about half the package of pepperoni or any preferred toppings. Finally, sprinkle 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese over the toppings.
- Bake Pizza: Transfer the assembled pizza (without parchment) directly onto the hot pizza stone to bake. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes until crust edges are golden brown and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. If the top browns too fast but the bottom remains pale, tent lightly with foil and continue baking until the base crisps.
- Cool and Serve: Use a pizza peel to remove the pizza from the oven. Transfer it immediately to a cooling rack to prevent sogginess on the bottom. Let cool for a few minutes, then cut into 8 slices and serve.
Notes
- Par-baking the dough before adding toppings ensures a crispy and fully cooked crust, avoiding a doughy center.
- If you don’t have a pizza stone, using a rimmed baking sheet or pizza pan works; just ensure a hot oven and cook directly on the pan.
- Adjust cheese and toppings to your preference, but avoid overloading which can inhibit even cooking.
- Resting dough after rolling out helps develop a thicker crust if desired, but can be skipped for quicker preparation.
- Using parchment paper helps easily transfer pizza dough in and out of the oven without tearing.
- Be cautious when sliding the pizza onto the stone as the oven and stone are extremely hot.
