Homemade Pizza
A straightforward and customizable homemade pizza recipe perfect for family fun and creative toppings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your choice of toppings (e.g., pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes or until frothy. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Lightly flour your workspace and knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 15 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
- Shape the pizza: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions for two medium-sized pizzas. Roll or stretch out each portion on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Assemble the pizza: Transfer the shaped dough to a pizza peel or a baking sheet. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the base. Sprinkle generously with cheese and add your favorite toppings.
- Bake the pizza: Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
- Cool and slice: Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute. Slice and serve hot.
Notes
For best results, use warm water to activate yeast and avoid overloading with toppings.