
Homemade Pizza
A classic, crowd-pleasing homemade pizza with a golden, chewy crust, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella. Simple enough for a weeknight, fun enough for a family pizza night — kids and adults alike will love building their own slices with their favorite toppings.
4 servings · Prep 90 min · Cook 15 min · Total 105 min
Italian · Bread · Dinner
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →Main
2.25 tsp active dry yeast one standard packet
1 cup warm water about 110°F
3 cup all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
1 tsp salt
1 tsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp olive oil plus more for the bowl
2 cup low-moisture mozzarella cheese shredded
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese freshly grated
1 tbsp fresh basil leaves torn, for garnish
Sauce
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp dried basil
0.5 tsp dried oregano
0.5 tsp salt
1 tsp olive oil
Equipment
Oven
Stovetop
Stand Mixer
Pizza Stone
Saucepan
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Mixing Bowl
Skillet
Plastic Wrap
Wooden Spoon
Pizza Cutter
Dough Hook
Rolling Pin
Whisk
Spatula
Pan
Jelly Roll (10x15)
Saucepan (1 Quart)
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Instructions
- In a large #[Mixing Bowl] or the bowl of a #[Stand Mixer], combine the ~[warm water], @[Granulated Sugar], and @[Active Dry Yeast]. Stir gently and let sit for ~[5–10 minutes] until foamy and fragrant — this confirms the yeast is active. If it doesn't foam, start over with fresh @[Active Dry Yeast].
- Add the @[All-Purpose Flour], @[Salt], and @[Olive Oil] to the yeast mixture. Mix with a #[Stand Mixer] dough hook on ^[medium speed] (or stir with a #[Wooden Spoon], then knead by hand) for ~[about 8 minutes] until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. Shape into a ball, place in a lightly oiled #[Mixing Bowl], cover with #[Plastic Wrap] or a clean towel, and let rise in a warm spot for ~[60 minutes], or until doubled in size.
- While the dough rises, warm ~[1 tsp] @[Olive Oil] in a small #[Saucepan] over ^[medium heat]. Add the @[Garlic] minced and cook for ~[30 seconds] until fragrant. Stir in the @[Crushed Tomatoes], @[Dried Basil], @[Oregano], and @[Salt]. Simmer on ^[low] for ~[10 minutes], stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Place a #[Baking Sheet] or #[Pizza Stone] in the #[Oven] and preheat to ![475°F] for ~[at least 20 minutes] — a hot surface is key to a crispy bottom. Punch down the risen dough and divide it in half for two medium pizzas (or keep whole for one large). On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the dough into a 12-inch round, about ¼-inch thick. Transfer to a piece of #[Parchment Paper].
- Spread a thin, even layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edge for the crust. Scatter the @[Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese] shredded evenly over the sauce, then add any additional toppings your family loves (pepperoni, sliced bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, etc.).
- Carefully slide the pizza (on its #[Parchment Paper]) onto the preheated #[Baking Sheet] or #[Pizza Stone]. Bake at ![475°F] for ~[12–15 minutes], until the crust is golden and puffed at the edges and the @[Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese] is bubbling and lightly browned in spots. Rotate the pan halfway through for even browning.
- Remove from the #[Oven] and let the pizza rest for ~[2–3 minutes] before slicing — this helps the @[Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese] set so toppings don't slide off. Sprinkle with freshly grated @[Parmesan Cheese] and torn fresh @[Basil] if desired. Slice with a pizza cutter and serve immediately.







