Easy Homemade Pizza Recipe: Make Perfect Pizza from Scratch

There is something deeply satisfying about pulling a golden, bubbling pizza out of your own oven. Making pizza at home gives you complete control over the ingredients the toppings, and the thickness of the crust — and the results are far better than anything that arrives at your door in a cardboard box. Whether you are cooking for a family dinner or hosting friends on a weekend, this easy homemade pizza recipe walks you through everything you need to know, from mixing the dough to achieving that perfect, crisp-edged crust. No fancy equipment required, just a few pantry staples and a little patience.

Easy Homemade Pizza

This classicemade pizza comes together with a simple, no-fuss dough and your favorite toppings. The crust bakes up beautifully — crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside — and the combination of rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella makes every slice satisfying. This recipe is forgiving and flexible, making it an ideal starting point for both beginner and experienced home cooks alike.

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one standard packet)
• 1 cup warm water (around 110°F)
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• Toppings of choice (pepperoni, bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, fresh basil)

1. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant, indicating yeast is active.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture along with the olive oil.
3. Mix ingredients together until a shaggy dough forms, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Preheat your oven to 475°F and place a baking sheet or pizza stone inside to heat up along with theoven.
6. Punch down the risen dough and stretch or roll it out on a floured surface to your preferred thickness, typically about 12inches in diameter.
7. Transfer the shaped dough to a piece of parchment paper. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the surface, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
8. Distribute the shredded mozzarella evenly then add your chosen toppings.Slide the pizza (on the parchment) onto the preheated baking sheet or stone and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned in spots.
9. Remove from the oven, let it rest for 2 minutes, slice and serve immediately.

Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

If you want to take your pizza to the next level, mastering the dough is the key. This straightforward pizza dough recipe produces a consistent, pillowy base with just right amount of chew. The method approachable for any skill level, and the dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated overnight an even deeper, more developed flavor — technique that professional pizzaiolos rely on regularly>

1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant active dry yeast

1 1/3 cups warm water

1 tablespoon honey or sugar

3 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour/2 teaspoons fine sea salt

tablespoons extravirgin olive oil

Semolina flour or cornmeal for dusting (optional, for a crispier base)

Dissolve the yeast and honey in the warm water in a large bowl bowl of a stand mixer. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 to 8 minutes until frothy on surface.

Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or mix on low speed using a dough hook until the ingredients are combined.Increase the mixer speed to medium, continue kneading by hand on a floured surface, for about 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.

Form the dough into a tight ball and transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.

For same-day dough, let it rise at room temperature for 1.5 hours until doubled. For best flavor, refrigerate the covered dough overnight let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes before using.

Divide the dough into two equal portions if making two smaller pizzas, or use full batch one large14-inch pieOn a lightly floured or semolina-dusted surface, gently stretch dough by hand, working from the center outward. Avoid using a rolling pin if possible, as stretching by hand preserves the air bubbles that give the crust its texturePlace the stretched dough on a parchment-lined pan sauce, cheese, and toppings, then bake at 475°F to 500°F for 12 to 15 minutes until perfectly golden and cooked through.

Allow the pizza to cool for a couple minutes before slicing to let the cheese set slightly ensuring cleanying cuts time.