Homemade Pizza
This Homemade Pizza recipe guides you step-by-step to create a fresh, flavorful pizza from scratch using simple ingredients like fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and a perfectly chewy crust. Ideal for all skill levels, it’s customizable, cost-effective, and delivers a pizzeria-quality pizza right in your oven.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 1 large 12-inch pizza (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free flour option)
For the Dough
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose or bread flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
For the Sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano or fresh basil
Toppings
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Additional toppings as desired (e.g., bell peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni, olives)
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar into warm water and let it sit until foamy, about 5-10 minutes. Combine the flour, salt, and olive oil in a large mixing bowl. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours until it doubles in size.
- Make the Sauce: While the dough rises, blend crushed tomatoes with minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and herbs like oregano or basil until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Toppings: Preheat your oven to its highest temperature setting, typically around 475°F (245°C). Prepare your toppings by slicing vegetables, grating cheese, or cooking meats as desired.
- Shape the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to a 12-inch round or your preferred thickness. Transfer the rolled dough to a pizza stone or baking sheet dusted with flour or cornmeal.
- Assemble Your Pizza: Spread the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the dough. Add a generous layer of fresh mozzarella and arrange your chosen toppings. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and any additional seasoning.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the pizza cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Slice and enjoy your homemade pizza!
Notes
- Use a pizza stone to distribute heat evenly and achieve a crispy crust bottom.
- Avoid overloading toppings to prevent sogginess and uneven baking.
- Allow enough time for the dough to rise well to improve texture and flavor.
- Preheat the oven thoroughly to mimic professional pizza oven conditions.
- Using fresh, high-quality ingredients significantly improves the final taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 pizza
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: homemade pizza, pizza dough, pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella, Italian pizza, pizza recipe, easy pizza, pizza from scratch, customizable pizza