Learn to make easy homemade pizza so that you can customize it for your whole family. Our pizza recipe is quick and easy with minimal fuss, using a basic baking sheet or pizza pan to make a meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Pizza night just got a little more delicious with this homemade recipe.
Homemade Pizza Dough or Refrigerated Pizza Dough I think that making a pizza with just the right kind of toppings for each person is what makes homemade pizza just a bit better than making a frozen pizza. If you choose to make your own dough, I have a no-fail pizza dough recipe.
However, I have often used the pizza dough that you can just pop out of a package and simply form it to the sheet pan. Once the pizza dough has been formed and is in the pan, I do like to give it a pre-bake for about 10 minutes. It ensures that your crust will be crispy, not soggy in the middle.
Have Pizza Your Way
Pile on Your Favorite Pizza Toppings
Then there is no limit or creativity on toppings that you pile on. However, about 2 cups of toppings along with the sauce and cheese is just about right. More than that, you will want to bake a bit longer to make sure that things are baked to just the right doneness.
Homemade Pizza Tips for Success
For vegetable toppings such as onions, peppers, and mushrooms, I have made pizzas with them uncooked and cooked ahead of time. If I added the vegetables on top of the shredded cheese, they cooked better and adding them raw saved time. However, if adding caramelized onions, for instance, that is a whole other taste sensation. I think it is up to you as far as precooking or not precooking the vegetables.
Too many toppings can cause the crust to be under-cooked. Therefore, I recommend about 2 cups of toppings for a sheet pan pizza.
When adding meat, I like to get pre-cooked ham, peperoni, and sausage. If it is not precooked, I will cook it in a skillet prior to adding to the pizza. Just to assure that the meat is cooked and safe to eat without overbaking the pizza.
If you let your pizza dough rest after is has risen and been punched down. It will roll out a bit easier. The elasticity is lessened by just letting the dough rest.
If you prefer a crispier crust, pre-bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to dock the crust so the dough does not bubble up. What is docking? It is poking holes in the dough. I just use a fork and poke holes in the crust about 1-inch apart.
Shred the cheese yourself if you have the time. Packaged shredded cheese includes ingredients meant to keep it from clumping during storage and those additives prevent the cheese from melting properly. However, I have used both the packages and shredded and they both have their place. For me, it comes down to how much time I have to get dinner on the table.
Use a kitchen shears to cut the pizza into pieces or a pizza cutter. I do this when using my sheet pans because if I use a pizza cutter or knife, it will mark up my pans and sometimes leave marks and gouges. This way, the pizza gets cut and my pan stays unblemished.
How to Make Easy Homemade Pizza
Perfect for game day recipes and weeknight family meals too. Just simple, good food. We love to have our pizza with a wide variety of toppings. At our house, someone picks out a moving while the pizzas are being made. What a fun and delicious way to spend family time.
Pizza Topping Ideas
Alfredo with Caramelized Onion:
This is a different pizza that we make when we want something simple. Just caramelize the onions before adding.
Ingredients: Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, caramelized onions, raisins, and feta cheese
BBQ Meat Lovers Pizza:
This is my son-in-law’s favorite pizza. He loves the tangy and spicy sauce paired with the meat and cheese.
Ingredients: BBQ sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon, sausage, hamburger, and ham
Cheese Pizza:
This one is perfect for the kids and adults alike. Nice blend of cheeses, garlic, and herbs.
Ingredients: Pizza sauce, mozzarella, provolone, garlic, and oregano
Chicken, Bacon, Alfredo:
While this is great with the chicken, adding the bacon is just a great flavor addition to this one.
Ingredients: Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, chicken, bacon, garlic, red onion, olive oil, salt, and pepper Get our delicious recipe shown in the photo.
Hawaiian Pizza:
This one is a hit. Every time I make pizza this one is on the menu. It is always the first one gone. If you have never had the chance to try this flavor combination, I urge you to give it a try.
Ingredients: Pizza sauce, mozzarella, ham, and pineapple
Margherita Pizza:
Simple goodness. It is amazing how a few ingredient combinations can taste so good. Just delicious and reminds me of a more authentic Italian pizza.
Ingredients: Pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper
Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza:
When my daughter was much younger, she had a friend and the only thing he would eat was pepperoni pizza. He did grow out of that a bit, but this one holds a special place in his heart yet.
Ingredients: Pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni
Additional Topping Options: add Sausage for those meat lovers. Or cup of sliced mushrooms and onions. Just delicious and full-bodied flavor.
Sausage and Mushroom:
I like to use Italian sausages for this. They come in mild to spicy forms. I remove the casing and cook before adding.
Ingredients: Pizza sauce, mozzarella, sausage, and mushroom
Supreme Pizza:
Ingredients: Pizza sauce, mozzarella, bacon, onion, sweet peppers, sausage, hamburger, pepperoni, mushroom, and olives
Grilling Pizza
In the summer it is so fun to grill the pizza. I place the pizza on the same baking pan and place in the grill. Set on medium heat and if possible, have the heat off on one side of the grill.
Just like in the oven, I like to pre-bake the crust 5-10 minutes in the grill to make sure that the result is a crispy crust. Then add the toppings and bake and other 10-15 minutes.
Storing and Reheating Pizza to Get a Crispy Crust
I put mine in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days. Then just follow the reheating directions for enjoying this meal a second time.
Stovetop Method: To reheat pizza, I have used my cast iron and a non-stick skillet; they both work. Just preheat over medium-high heat add a few slices of pizza and cover. The toppings will get delicious and gooey, while the crust will crisp nicely again.
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the pizza to the pan or a baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melty.
Microwave Method: If you are in a hurry and are not concerned with a soggy crust, then this method might be for you. Just place it on a microwave-safe plate, cover and cook on high for 50-70 seconds. It will be hot, but in my opinion, not nearly as good as the stovetop or oven reheating methods.
Can You Freeze Homemade Pizza?
Yes, you can. Just cover in plastic wrap securely. I like to cover mine a few times to make sure. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to make, reheat the pizza from the frozen state preferably using the oven method. Remove the plastic wrap and place the pizza on the baking pan and bake until heated through. Usually at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
You can use the recipe below as a guide to make whatever pizza you like.
The possibilities are endless!
How to Make Easy Homemade Pizza
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 1 homemade pizza crust recipe or your favorite pizza crust
- ¼ – ½ cup pizza sauce or desired sauce such as alfredo
- 8 ounces cheese shredded such as mozzarella
- 2 Cups Toppings
- Fresh herbs or other garnishes
Instructions
- Prepare pizza dough according to recipe instructions.1 homemade pizza crust recipe
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Roll or press dough into a lightly grease sheet pan. If I use my homemade dough, I like to use a rolling pin to shape dough into a large rectangle and then transfer to the sheet pan and use my fingers to press it to fit all the way to the edges of the pan. However, if I use a purchased refrigerated pizza dough, I just need to open it and use my fingers to press it into the pan.
- I like to dock the crust and prebake at 400°F. for 8-10 minutes.
- Then spread your choice of sauce on top of the crust.
- Add the cheese and toppings.¼ – ½ cup pizza sauce, 8 ounces cheese, 2 Cups Toppings, Fresh herbs or other garnishes
- Bake until crust is golden and cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes.
- Cut the pizza into desired shapes and serve immediately.
