The Best Homemade Pizza Recipe: Easy, Delicious, and Foolproof

There’s nothing better than homemade pizza—crispy crust, gooey cheese, and all your favorite toppings made fresh in your own kitchen! If you’ve ever wanted to skip the takeout and make a restaurant-quality pizza at home, this simple homemade pizza recipe is for you.

the story behind this pizza recipe

Every time I make this recipe, it takes me back to a time when our budget was VERY tight. We owned 2 homes at the time. One we lived in, and the other was a rental property out of state. Everything was fine until our tenant stopped paying rent and several major repairs had to be made on the rental. We were left with 2 mortgages on one income. Having small children meant I couldn’t work because of the high cost of daycare. The only thing I knew to do was drastically cut our grocery budget.

I decided to start making homemade pizza on Friday nights instead of take-out. Initially, our budget was so tight that I would buy the smallest sized can of tomato sauce to put on the dough and sprinkle it with Italian seasoning and garlic powder to give it the pizza sauce flavor I was looking for. The first time I made it, everyone loved it – even more than take-out!

I would also take the kids to the public library and rent a movie, and Friday night became our pizza and movie night. The kids thought it was awesome to get to pick a movie at the library and eat pizza picnic style in the living room. They had no idea Mom was closely watching the budget.

Maybe you’re finding yourself in a tight spot with your budget. I hope this encourages you to think outside the box a little bit and find ways to make memories with your family even when times are tough.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pizza Recipe

✔ Quick & Easy: The dough comes together in minutes with simple ingredients.
✔ Crispy & Chewy Crust: Perfectly golden brown and full of flavor.
✔ Customizable: Choose your favorite toppings for a pizza night everyone will love.
✔ Budget-Friendly: Make two large pizzas for less than the cost of delivery!

homemade pizza ingreDIENTS

To get started making this recipe, you’ll first want to gather all your ingredients first.

For the Dough

• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons oil (olive or vegetable)
• 5 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)

For the Pizza

• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Toppings of choice (pepperoni, veggies, cooked sausage, etc.)

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl, pour in warm water (around 110°F).

Sprinkle the yeast over the water, stir, and let sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add the yeast mixture, sugar, salt, oil, and flour into a stand mixer.

Mix on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.

If the dough is still too sticky, add ½ cup of flour and continue mixing.

Step 3: Shape the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and form it into a ball.

Divide it into two equal balls. Use both immediately or freeze one for later.

Step 4: Roll Out & Top Your Pizza

Preheat your oven to 500°F.

Roll out one dough ball with your hands onto a pizza stone or baking sheet.

Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough, sprinkle mozzarella cheese, and add your favorite toppings.

Step 5: Bake Your Pizza

Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Bake for 12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Pro Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza

✔ Use Fresh Yeast: Make sure your yeast is active for the best rise. If it doesn’t foam up, start over with fresh yeast.

✔ Preheat Your Oven Well: A hot oven ensures a crispy crust.

✔ Freeze Extra Dough: Wrap unused dough tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

✔ Experiment with Toppings: Try BBQ chicken, white sauce, or even breakfast pizza!

FAQs

Can I make this pizza dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours or freeze it for later use.

What’s the best way to reheat homemade pizza?

For a crispy crust, reheat in a 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes or in a skillet over medium heat.

Do I need a pizza stone?

No! While a pizza stone gives a crispier crust, a regular baking sheet works just fine.

Making homemade pizza is fun, easy, and delicious! Whether it’s a family pizza night or a quick dinner, this recipe is sure to be a hit. Give it a try and let me know your favorite toppings in the comments!

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