Easy Homemade Pizza: A Quick and Delicious Recipe

Looking for a quick, delicious dinner that doesn’t require too much time in the kitchen? This homemade pizza is perfect for you! With just 30 minutes of active cooking time, this meal can be ready to serve in no time. Whether it's a casual night at home or an impromptu gathering with friends and family, this easy pizza recipe will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 packet active dry yeast (about 2¼ teaspoons)
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided use
1 ¾ cups warm water
1 cup pizza sauce or store-bought sauce of your choice
8 slices mozzarella cheese
Your favorite toppings (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.)

Instructions

To start, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Stir in the yeast and sugar.

Add warm water slowly while mixing until it forms a dough that is smooth but not too sticky.
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes elastic.
Lightly oil another bowl, then place the dough inside and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rest in a warm area for at least 1 hour or until doubled in size.

After the dough has risen sufficiently, punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Divide it into two equal parts if you prefer smaller pizzas, otherwise keep it as one large pizza base. Roll out your flattened dough on a floured surface into an even circle or rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick.

Once done shaping, carefully transfer the crust onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easier handling and cleanup. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the entire surface of the crust leaving about half inch border around the edges to prevent overflow during cooking.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously all across the top followed by your chosen toppings like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, or any other favorites you prefer!

Cooking Time & Servings

The total cooking time for one large pizza is approximately 15 minutes. This can be reduced to around 8-10 minutes if using a preheated stone. The serving size depends on how big the slices are; generally, this recipe serves 4 people comfortably.

Tips & Tricks

To ensure your pizza turns out crispy and flavorful:

Make sure not to overfill the crust with toppings as they will add extra moisture which may affect crispiness during baking.
Cooking in a preheated oven helps achieve that perfect golden brown color on top of the cheese and bottoms of the slices without burning them.

Enjoy Your Meal!

After your pizza has been baked to perfection, let it cool for about 5 minutes before cutting into slices. Serve immediately while still warm from the oven! This homemade pizza is not only tasty but also cost-effective compared to store-bought options.

If you're looking forward to making this dish again soon, consider keeping some ingredients like flour, yeast packets, and toppings stocked in your pantry so you can whip up a fresh batch whenever inspiration strikes!