There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked pizza wafting through your kitchen. This homemade pizza recipe delivers a golden, chewy crust topped with melty mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, and aromatic herbs—finished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Whether you’re cooking with family, entertaining friends, or planning a cozy date night, pizza night is always a crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delicious homemade dough: Crisp on the edges and soft in the center.
- Customizable toppings: Easily adapted to suit everyone’s tastes.
- Perfect for gatherings: Fun to make and even more fun to share.
- Better than takeout: Fresh ingredients and full control over flavor.
- Make-ahead friendly: Dough can be prepared in advance for convenience.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Dough
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- sugar
- active dry yeast
- warm water
- olive oil
Toppings (customize to taste)
- pizza sauce or marinara
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- cherry tomatoes
- feta cheese (optional)
- dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- fresh parsley
- red chili flakes (optional)
directions
- Make Dough: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead the dough by hand or with a dough hook for 7–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Shape Crust: Once risen, punch down the dough and turn it onto a floured surface. Roll into your desired shape—round or rectangular. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Assemble Pizza: Spread an even layer of pizza sauce over the rolled dough. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and optional feta cubes. Top with oregano or Italian seasoning.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Bake the pizza for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
- Finish & Serve: Remove from the oven and immediately garnish with fresh parsley and a pinch of red chili flakes if desired. Slice and serve hot.
Servings and timing
Servings: 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Rise time: 1 hour
Cook time: 12–15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Variations
- Meat lovers: Add pepperoni, sausage, cooked bacon, or ham.
- Vegetarian: Use mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, or spinach.
- Vegan: Use plant-based cheese and toppings. Substitute olive oil for brushing the crust.
- Cheese stuffed crust: Fold mozzarella sticks into the crust edges before baking.
- Flatbread version: Roll dough thinner and bake for 8–10 minutes for a crispier base.
storage/reheating
Storage: Store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes. You can also reheat in a skillet over low heat to maintain crispness.
Freezing: Freeze the dough after the first rise or freeze baked pizza slices. Reheat from frozen in the oven for best results.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, instant yeast can be added directly to the flour without proofing. Use the same amount and proceed with the recipe.
What’s the best flour for pizza dough?
All-purpose flour works well for a soft, chewy crust. For a crisper texture, try bread flour.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. Prepare the dough, let it rise, then refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.
How do I make the crust crispier?
Bake on a preheated pizza stone or place the tray on the lowest oven rack. Ensure your oven is fully preheated.
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes, store-bought dough is a great shortcut. Just let it come to room temperature before rolling.
What if I don’t have pizza sauce?
You can use marinara sauce, tomato purée with herbs, or even pesto as a base.
How thin should I roll the dough?
Roll it about ¼ inch thick for a traditional crust, or thinner for a crispier base.
How do I prevent soggy pizza?
Don’t overload with sauce or toppings. Preheating the oven and baking on parchment paper or a hot surface helps prevent sogginess.
Can I grill the pizza instead?
Yes. Preheat your grill, roll the dough into a manageable size, and cook each side briefly before adding toppings and finishing on indirect heat.
Is this dough recipe suitable for freezing?
Yes. After the first rise, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Conclusion
Homemade Pizza Night is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. With a crisp yet tender crust and endless topping possibilities, this pizza recipe transforms simple ingredients into a truly satisfying dinner. Whether you’re baking with loved ones or enjoying a solo night in, this pizza delivers comfort, flavor, and fun in every slice.
PrintHomemade Pizza Night
This homemade pizza features a golden, crisp-edged crust topped with melty mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant herbs. It’s a fun and delicious way to bring friends and family together for pizza night!
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 large pizza (8 slices) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Toppings (customize to taste):
- 1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup feta cheese cubes (optional)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley leaves (for garnish)
- Red chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add in the foamy yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 7–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and roll it out into a large rectangle or circle, about 12–14 inches wide. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the surface. Top with mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and feta cubes if using. Sprinkle with dried oregano or Italian seasoning.
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Bake pizza for 12–15 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Remove from oven and garnish with fresh parsley and red chili flakes if desired.
- Slice and serve hot. Enjoy with your favorite sides!
Notes
- Let everyone customize their portion with favorite toppings like olives, mushrooms, or pepperoni.
- For a crispier crust, use a preheated pizza stone or bake directly on the oven rack.
- Leftover dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for later use.
- Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 20mg