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Homemade Pizza

Homemade Pizza

Homemade Pizza offers the perfect blend of crispy crust, melty cheese, and fresh toppings. This easy-to-make recipe allows you to customize flavors and textures to your liking, delivering a delicious, family-friendly, and satisfying meal straight from your kitchen.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large pizza (serves 3-4) 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose or bread flour
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch sugar (to activate yeast)

Sauce and Toppings

  • ½ cup tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 to 1 ½ cups fresh or shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Assorted toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, fresh basil (quantity to preference)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Activate the yeast by dissolving it in lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar until bubbly. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Combine the yeast mixture and olive oil with the flour mixture. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  2. Shape the Crust: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll or stretch the dough into your desired pizza shape, round or rectangular. Aim for your preferred thickness, leaving edges slightly thicker to form the crust.
  3. Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread a thin, even layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border uncovered for the crust. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce, then add your choice of toppings such as vegetables, meats, or herbs.
  4. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to its highest temperature, between 475°F and 500°F (245°C to 260°C). For best results, use a preheated pizza stone if available. Bake the pizza for 10 to 15 minutes or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling with slight browning.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil or a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Slice and serve warm.

Notes

  • Use a pizza stone preheated for at least 30 minutes to achieve a crispier crust.
  • Avoid overloading with toppings to prevent sogginess.
  • Use room temperature dough and toppings for even cooking.
  • Rest dough after kneading to relax gluten and improve texture.
  • Experiment with hydration levels — slightly wetter dough yields a chewier, airier crust.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pizza)
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: homemade pizza, pizza dough, crispy crust, mozzarella, tomato sauce, pizza toppings, baking pizza, easy pizza recipe