The Best and Easiest Homemade Pizza Recipe: A Delicious Family-Favorite

Calling all pizza lovers! Making homemade pizza doesn't have to be complicated. With a few simple ingredients and a bit of practice, you can create a delicious meal that's sure to impress. Whether you stick to classic toppings or experiment with new flavors, the possibilities are endless. So, the next time you're craving pizza, skip the delivery and try making it yourself—you won't be disappointed!

Preparation Time: About 1 hour and 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6 people

Ingredients

For the Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast 3/4 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C) 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt

For the Toppings:

1 cup pizza sauce, store-bought or homemade 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Fresh basil leaves Olive oil for drizzling Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to the highest temperature (usually around 475°F to 500°F or 245°C to 260°C). If you have 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 pizzas. Roll out one portion on a floured surface to your desired thickness (about 10-12 inches in diameter). Transfer the rolled dough onto a parchment paper or a floured pizza peel if using a stone.

Add Toppings:

Spread a layer of pizza sauce over the base, leaving a small border around the edges. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Add fresh basil leaves and season with a little salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.

Bake the Pizza:

Carefully transfer the pizza to the oven or onto the preheated pizza stone and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Serve:

Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a minute, then slice and serve. Repeat with the second dough portion if desired.

Tips and Variations

Feel free to add your favorite toppings such as pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives.

For a quick homemade sauce, blend canned tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, and seasonings.

You can also prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage.

Enjoy your delicious homemade pizza!