Craving pizza night without the delivery wait or price tag? This Easy Homemade Pizza recipe delivers crispy edges, a chewy golden crust, and gooey melted cheese—all from your own oven in under an hour. Whether you like it classic with pepperoni and mozzarella, or loaded with veggies and garlic oil, this base recipe is your ticket to pizza perfection.
It’s beginner-friendly, requires only a handful of pantry ingredients, and is endlessly customizable. You’ll never go back to frozen pies again.
Introduction: Why Homemade Pizza Always Wins
Pizza is one of the world’s favorite foods—and for good reason. With its crisp crust, rich sauce, and bubbly cheese, it hits all the right notes. But while takeout is convenient, nothing beats the flavor and freshness of a homemade pizza, especially when the dough is simple and forgiving.
This easy dough recipe requires just all-purpose flour, water, yeast, and olive oil—no special equipment or long fermentation needed. Whether you’re cooking for family, making a fun Friday-night meal, or hosting a build-your-own pizza night, this recipe sets you up for success every time.
Ingredients Overview: What You Need & Why It Works
1. All-Purpose Flour
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The base of the dough—easy to work with and widely available.
Why it matters: All-purpose flour creates a crust that’s both crisp and chewy—perfect for pizza ovens or standard home ovens.
2. Instant or Active Dry Yeast
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This is what helps the dough rise.
Why it matters: Yeast creates bubbles and lightness in the crust. Instant yeast rises faster, but either works well.
3. Warm Water
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Between 105°F and 115°F
Why it matters: Activates the yeast. Too hot, and it kills it; too cold, and it won’t rise.
4. Olive Oil
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Adds richness and helps make the dough more tender.
5. Salt
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Essential for flavor—don’t skip it.
6. Sugar (Optional)
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A small amount helps feed the yeast and brown the crust.
7. Tomato Sauce or Pizza Sauce
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You can use store-bought or make a quick stovetop version.
8. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
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The classic melty topping. Use part-skim for gooey pull, or fresh mozzarella for a gourmet touch.
9. Toppings of Choice
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Pepperoni, veggies, mushrooms, olives, red onion, arugula, etc.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Easy Homemade Pizza
Ingredients (For One 12-inch Pizza)
Dough:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast
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¾ cup warm water (110°F)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp sugar (optional)
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¾ tsp salt
Toppings:
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½ cup pizza or marinara sauce
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1 to 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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Your favorite toppings (pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, etc.)
1. Make the Dough
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In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy (skip this step if using instant yeast).
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Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil.
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Mix with a spoon, then knead by hand (or mixer with dough hook) for about 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
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Form into a ball, coat with a little oil, and cover with a towel.
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Let rise in a warm spot for 30–45 minutes until doubled.
No time to rise? Let the dough rest for just 10 minutes—it will still work for a quick crust.
2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan
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Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, preheat it as well.
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Lightly oil a pizza pan, cast iron skillet, or baking sheet, or line with parchment.
3. Shape the Dough
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Punch down dough and roll or stretch it into a 12-inch circle.
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Transfer to your prepared pan.
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Lightly brush edges with olive oil for golden crust.
4. Add Sauce and Toppings
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Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over dough.
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Add shredded mozzarella and your toppings of choice.
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Don’t overload—less is more for crispier pizza.
5. Bake
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Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and browned in spots.
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Let cool 2 minutes, slice, and serve!
Tips, Variations & Substitutions
Pro Pizza Tips
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Preheat your oven fully—hotter is better for crispy crust.
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Use semolina or cornmeal on the pan to prevent sticking.
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Less sauce = crisper crust. Use a thin layer.
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Don’t overload with toppings or your crust will get soggy.
Sauce Variations
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White pizza: Use garlic oil or ricotta instead of tomato sauce.
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BBQ base: Swap tomato sauce for barbecue sauce + red onion + chicken.
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Pesto pizza: Use basil pesto instead of marinara.
Crust Variations
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Thin crust: Roll dough very thin and bake directly on a stone.
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Stuffed crust: Add a ring of mozzarella around the edge and fold dough over it.
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Whole wheat: Use half whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
Serving Ideas & Occasions
This easy homemade pizza is:
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Perfect for family pizza night
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Great for make-your-own-pizza parties
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A fantastic kids’ cooking activity
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Ideal for freezer meal prep—par-bake and freeze crusts
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Excellent as a game day or movie night main
Serve with:
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Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks
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Caesar salad or arugula salad
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Dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, or garlic butter
Nutritional & Health Notes
This pizza is:
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Lower in fat and sodium than most delivery pizzas
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Customizable to be vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free
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Made with real ingredients, no preservatives
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Great for portion control—you decide how much cheese and toppings to use
Estimated Nutrition (1 slice of 8, with cheese and sauce only):
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Calories: 180–210
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Protein: 8g
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Carbs: 25g
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Fat: 6–8g
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Fiber: 1–2g
Add veggies or protein to boost nutrition. Use part-skim cheese to reduce fat.
FAQ: Easy Homemade Pizza
1. Can I freeze the pizza dough?
Yes! After the first rise, wrap in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before using.
2. What’s the best flour for pizza dough?
All-purpose flour works perfectly for home ovens. Bread flour gives chewier texture. 00 flour is best for Neapolitan-style pizza.
3. How do I make the crust extra crispy?
Use a preheated pizza stone or cast iron skillet, don’t overload with sauce, and bake at high temp (475°F+).
4. Can I make it without yeast?
Yes—use self-rising flour + Greek yogurt for a 2-ingredient no-yeast dough, though the texture will differ.
5. How do I store leftovers?
Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven for best texture.
6. Can I make gluten-free homemade pizza?
Yes! Use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend or gluten-free pizza dough recipe. Bake on parchment to avoid sticking.
7. What cheeses melt best on pizza?
Mozzarella (part-skim or whole milk) is the standard. Blend with provolone, fontina, or cheddar for flavor depth.
