Have you ever wanted to make a homemade pizza? Pizza is one of the most popular foods in America, but have you ever considered that it might be even better if made at home?
Making your pizza is not only delicious and nutritious but can save you money as well. You will find out how easy it is to make your favorite meal with this step-by-step guide!
Contents
How to make pizza at home?
Instructions on how to make dough for pizza at home:
Step One: In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and one teaspoon of sugar in warm water. Let stand for 10 minutes or until the mixture begins to froth. Gradually stir in salt, oil, and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Step Two: Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes (add more flour if needed). Cover with a wet towel; let rest on the floured surface while preparing filling/topping ingredients, so the dough does not stick together. Continue the process with each pizza you make.
TIP: You can store your pizza dough in the refrigerator, covered with a wet towel for up to two days.
Step Three: At this point, you have three options.
Option 1: Spoon prepared pizza dough onto a hot grill grate over medium heat, using the back of a spoon to spread evenly. Cover and cook until underside is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip crust over; cover, and continue cooking until the second side is golden brown, about 3 minutes longer.
Remove from grill; brush the top surface with olive oil. Add your favorite pizza toppings and bake at 500 degrees F until cheese melts (not place directly over the fire).
Option 2: Roll out refrigerated dough on a floured surface into a large round, turning once if necessary to coat both sides of dough with flour. Transfer to greased pizza pan or baking sheet.
Spoon prepared pizza sauce over the surface, spreading evenly to within 1/2 inch of the edge of crust. Add your favorite pizza toppings and bake at 500 degrees F until cheese melts (not place directly over the fire).
Option 3: Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface into a large square shape. Spoon prepared sauce onto the center of the square; spread evenly, leaving a 1-inch border along edges. Add your favorite pizza toppings and bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned (do not place directly over the fire).
Step Four: At this point, you have two options
Option 1: Brush-rimmed baking sheet with olive oil; lay the rolled-out dough on the baking sheet. Spoon prepared pizza sauce over the surface, spreading evenly to within 1/2 inch of the edge of crust. Add your favorite pizza toppings and bake at 500 degrees F until cheese melts (not place directly over the fire).
Option 2: Using a fork, pierce dough all over. Brush with olive oil; sprinkle with any desired spices or herbs, including garlic salt, basil, oregano, or rosemary. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes or until golden brown (do not place directly over the fire).
Step Five: Now you are ready to top your pizza dough using the items in the toppings section above! Just remember that less is more when adding ingredients, especially if you are using a thin crust pizza.
Steps for making the sauce for your pizzas
By following these easy steps, you will soon be on your way to making delicious homemade pizzas in no time at all!
Step One: Gather the ingredients.
Tomato sauce (15oz) Shredded Mozzarella cheese (7 oz.) Sliced Mushrooms Diced Green Bell Pepper Diced Onion Italian Seasoning Oregano Garlic Salt Black Pepper Red Pepper Flakes Refrigerated Pizza Dough or Homemade Pizza Dough Olive Oil
Step Two:
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and peppers. Saute until softened, about three minutes. Add mushrooms and cook another two minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in seasonings of your choice and remove from heat.
Step Three:
Prepare sauce; either buy it pre-made or make your own. If you choose to use store-bought, the most common types of pizza sauce are tomato and alfredo (creamy). You can find these at any grocery store.
Pour your chosen sauce into a bowl. Add desired seasonings such as oregano, black pepper, garlic salt, etc. Stir until combined.
Step Four:
Roll out your refrigerated dough on a floured surface with a rolling pin. Roll to the desired thickness, so it is big enough to fit on an oven-safe skillet or baking dish with sides at least 2 inches tall. Alternatively, you could also place the ball of dough
on a pizza stone if you have one. Place dough on a pan or stone and begin to shape it by pushing outward from the center with your fingers to form a 1-2 inch lip around the edges. This will prevent the sauce from dripping down the sides of your crust while it bakes.
Step Five:
Brush olive oil over the entire surface of the dough. Spoon enough sauce to coat the crust, don’t skimp! Leave about an inch bare around all of the edges. Top that area with cheese.
Next, add vegetables and more cheese, leaving any empty spaces at the very edge bare (this will make sure nothing drips down onto your oven!). Finally, sprinkle the top with any remaining seasonings as desired.
Step Six:
Place pizza in the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Slice into the desired number of pieces and serve while hot!
Variations: There are many different variations to a homemade pizza, delicious ones at that! After you have mastered the basics, why not try these recipes out? Buffalo Chicken Pizza Mexican Pizza Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza Candy Bar Pizza Pretzel Crust Pizza Breakfast Pizza.
How to Make Pizza Everyone Will Love!
1) You can find pizza dough at your local grocery store in the baking aisle. Make sure you check the expiration date on the package to ensure freshness. Once you have chosen which type of crust you would like to use, unroll onto a floured surface and begin shaping into the desired size according to the recipe instructions above.
2) Now that you’ve chosen your crust, it’s time to start working on the sauce! Most people think tomato paste when they think pizza sauce. Still, there are many options available depending on what type of flavor profile you would like for your pizza (ex: alfredo or creamy, spicy).
To make homemade sauce, saute diced onions and green peppers oil until soft over medium heat. Then add your choice of seasonings or spices, minced garlic, canned tomatoes or tomato paste, and oregano. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes to achieve delicious flavor!
3) Layer sauce on top of stretched dough until the entire surface is covered, leaving about an inch bare around the edges. Add the desired amount of cheese next, then cover with veggies/meat/other pizza toppings.
Bake at 425 degrees for approximately 15-20 min or until golden brown (or according to recipe instructions). Enjoy while hot & cheesy!
Note: You may also prepare this recipe in a lightly greased pan on the stovetop over medium heat if you do not own an oven. Just follow the same steps above with cooking times adjusted accordingly.
Top 10 pizza recipes
1) Grilled Chocolate-Peanut Butter & Banana Pizza: A play on a classic, this pizza is packed with flavor and will have your family going back for seconds.
2) Creamy Pesto Chicken Pizza: This pesto chicken pizza recipe is a low-carb way to enjoy all of the flavors you love about your favorite Italian dish. Top it with green peppers and mushrooms to cut some carbs if needed!
3) Sunday Brunch Pizza Recipe: If you love breakfast foods, this savory pie is perfect for feeding the whole gang on game day or at brunch! Top it off with crispy bacon pieces and tomato slices.
4) Easy No-Cook Salsa Verde Pizza Sauce Recipe: This homemade pizza sauce is so easy to make and tastes way better than store-bought. Try it some time!
5) Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pizza with Caramelized Onions & Balsamic Reduction: This is a sweet & spicy twist on bbq chicken pizza; this pie will have you coming back for seconds every time.
6) Pretzel Crust Cinnamon Sugar Pizza Recipe: Made with just three ingredients, this pretzel crust cinnamon sugar pizza is the perfect dessert or late-night snack — especially if you top it off with ice cream too!
7) Hawaiian Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Recipe: You can’t go wrong with bacon on pizza; how about adding your favorite burger toppings too? Yum!
8) Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza Recipe: If you look for a lighter pizza, try this creamy garlic chicken alfredo. It’s simple to make and tastes fantastic.
9) Mexicali Pizza with Creamy Avocado Sauce: Taco night doesn’t have to be just for the tacos anymore — why not serve it on top of pizza too? This pepperoni & ground beef pizza with pesto sauce is perfect for any Mexican food lover!
10) Grilled Chipotle BBQ Chicken Flatbread: This easy flatbread recipe is made with cilantro-lime mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, shredded rotisserie chicken, red onion slices, and sauce – so good!
Note: If you’re trying to limit the number of grains in your diet, try using a cauliflower crust instead of traditional dough.
Methods of cooking your pizzas in an oven or on a grill
1) Oven: a. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). b. Place dough rounds directly on the oven rack or baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden brown, about 8 minutes. c.
Remove the pizza from the oven with a metal spatula, add toppings of choice and return to oven until cheese melts completely, about 4-6 minutes more.
2) Grill: a. Prepare grill for direct cooking over medium heat (350°F / 175°C). b. Place dough rounds directly on the cooking grate and grill until puffy and golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. c.
Remove the pizza from the grill with a metal spatula, add toppings of choice and return to cooking grate until cheese melts completely, about 3-4 minutes more.
A few tips for making your pizza dough perfect every time
1) To use active dry or fresh yeast, dissolve the yeast in warm water before adding it to the other ingredients. For best results, let stand 5 to 10 minutes before mixing with other dough ingredients.
2) When kneading by hand, dip one of your hands or the mixer’s beaters into a bowl of water so that the dough doesn’t stick to you. Also, don’t over-knead — this will make the dough tough. Stop when it’s smooth and satiny (it should spring back when pressed).
3) If you’re not using a food processor or stand mixer, you can mix your dough in a large bowl with a spoon and then turn it out onto a floured work surface. Knead until smooth and springy (it should bounce back when pressed), adding as little flour as possible to keep the dough from sticking.
4) Once the pizza is topped and in the oven, don’t take your eyes off of it! Your pizzas will cook quickly — in just 7 to 10 minutes depending on your oven’s heat — so be ready to remove them to avoid overcooking.
5) Be sure not to handle the dough too much once it has risen, or else it will lose its airiness. It helps to use wet hands while shaping. Form the dough into a ball, then press it onto the work surface to flatten.
Starting at one end, roll up the dough into a log and form it into a round or oval shape, tucking the ends underneath to create a smooth top.
6) To test if your pizza dough is completely baked, gently pull at the edge of the crust. If it feels firm and doesn’t stick to your hands, remove it from the oven — check the bottom of the crust for any undercooked areas by lifting with a spatula. DO NOT overbake — you don’t want hard & dry pizza!
FAQs:
What is the best flour for pizza dough?
It all depends on how you like your pizza crust. If you want a thin & crispy crust, try using 00 flour. If you wish to have a chewier, doughy crust, use bread flour or whole-wheat flour instead.
What type of sauce goes on pizza?
About anything goes on pizza! And we love this Mexican Pizza recipe because it’s so easy and quick to make, and you can experiment with different toppings.
What is the best cheese for pizza?
In terms of nutrition, part-skim mozzarella or reduced-fat mozzarella are your best bets. They contain the same amount of calcium as full-fat versions but less fat and calories. In our opinion, they taste better too!
Which cheese is best for pizza?
Again, in terms of nutrition, reduced-fat mozzarella and part-skim mozzarella contain the same amount of calcium as full-fat versions but less fat and calories. In our opinion, they taste better too!
What toppings go on pizza?
The sky’s the limit — experiment with all different types like fresh basil, arugula (rocket), broccoli florets & pine nuts, or ham & pineapple. You can add almost anything to your homemade pizzas — we love using slow cooker pulled pork for a hearty meal.
How do you make pizza dough crispy without a pizza stone?
If substituting a pizza stone, you can get away with using just about any heavy pan. Just keep in mind that thinner pans will heat up faster than thicker ones, so your crust will cook more quickly.
What is the best yeast for pizza dough?
We used active dry yeast for this Mexican Pizza recipe — dissolve it in warm water before adding to other ingredients. For best results, let stand 5 to 10 minutes before mixing with other dough ingredients.
What are the best spices to add to homemade pizza dough?
Basil, oregano, and garlic powder are our top picks! You can even try fresh chopped rosemary or parsley in your next batch. Experimenting is fun when making homemade pizzas!
How long should you cook frozen pizza?
Frozen pizzas can take anywhere from 12-17 minutes in most ovens — check the instructions on the box! We recommend using an oven thermometer to ensure that your oven temperature is accurate. After all, neither one of us wants soggy pizza!
How can you tell when pizza is done?
Baking times will vary depending on your oven’s heat and the type of pan you use. In general, though, the crust should be golden brown and firm to the touch. You can even check under the corner of a pizza to see if it has already started to char — if so, it is ready to come out!
What should I serve with homemade pizza for a complete meal?
You can’t go wrong when serving homemade pizzas alongside a fresh salad and veggies for a complete meal.
What toppings should be cooked before putting on the pizza crust?
We recommend pre-cooking your meats and cooking any raw vegetables such as onions, peppers & mushrooms before adding them to your pizza shells — it will help ensure that everything is fully cooked!
Is pepperoni good with other meat on a pizza?
Yes! We especially love pairing pepperoni with sausage and bacon because they taste so good together!
Final thoughts on how to make pizza at home
We hope that this Mexican Pizza recipe blog post has answered all your questions! If you’re still concerned about the type of flour or yeast to use, try contacting your local pizza shop (if it’s a well-known one) and ask them for recommendations.
We highly recommend using a kitchen thermometer when making homemade pizzas as oven temperatures vary wildly from home ovens to restaurant ones.
