Let’s face it – pizza tastes better when it’s homemade. But if you don’t have the time or skills to make one, there are plenty of options out there to satisfy your cravings. In fact, thanks to restaurants like Domino’s and Pizza Hut, making the perfect homemade pizza at home has never been easier! Use this guide to follow along with these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying an amazing pizza pie in no time at all!
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 1 cup warm water 3 teaspoons active dry yeast 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for brushing 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 2 tablespoons honey 6 tablespoons tomato sauce (no sugar added) 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 ounces whole milk mozzarella, coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves, sliced or torn into large pieces fresh arugula pesto – Recipe follows
Pizza Dough
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 1 cup warm water 3 teaspoons active dry yeast 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for brushing 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 2 tablespoons honey 6 tablespoons tomato sauce (no sugar added) 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 ounces whole milk mozzarella, coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves, sliced or torn into large pieces fresh arugula pesto – Recipe follows
Cheese
The secret is in getting your crust right. In its purest form, authentic Neapolitan-style pizza dough consists of just flour, water, yeast and salt—and it doesn’t get much simpler than that. It should take you no more than 30 minutes (and only 10 active minutes) to create a flavorful, chewy crust from scratch. Here’s how: Start by mixing up a sponge made from warm water and all-purpose flour; allow it to rest for about 20 minutes.
Sauce
When most people think of making pizza, they think of coming up with their own unique combination of toppings. But one thing that can’t be ignored is creating a great homemade sauce to pour on top. The best part about making your own sauce is that you can customize it any way you want – just start with simple and then add herbs or garlic as you please.
Pesto
Make homemade pesto from scratch. Instead of buying it from a jar, you can easily whip some up yourself with a few fresh ingredients. It will taste better than store-bought, plus you’ll know that no preservatives have been added! Ingredients include 1 cup basil leaves (packed), 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, crushed, and salt and pepper to taste. Place all ingredients in food processor or blender and process until smooth (about 15-20 seconds).
Seafood
If you don’t have any shellfish allergies, a handful of seafood can help you hit your omega-3 fatty acid quota while also adding healthy fat to your diet. Salmon and sardines are particularly high in these healthy fats, and an added bonus is that they both taste great.
Tomatoes and Herbs
There’s no need to limit yourself to plain tomato sauce when you bake a pizza—after all, it’s supposed to be full of flavor. Instead of just adding diced tomatoes, try mixing in a few chopped cherry or grape tomatoes for added texture and sweetness.
Bacon
Add that smoky, salty crunch—and a touch of protein—to any pie with thick-cut bacon. Not a fan? Swap in pepperoni or an olive and herb blend.
Vegetables
The base of a good pizza is its crust. This one is super simple, and yet it’s tasty, crispy and smells wonderful. The key is letting your dough rest for 1 hour before using it; follow that up with 30 minutes in a hot oven and you have yourself a fantastic base for an amazing masterpiece! Now all you need are toppings. Here’s what I like on my pies: Garlic, red onion, zucchini (courgette), green pepper, artichoke hearts and cherry tomatoes. Oh yeah—and as much cheese as I can find!
Margherita Pizza Recipe
A classic Margherita Pie gets its bright red, fresh flavor from crushed tomatoes and fresh basil. A sprinkle of aged Asiago cheese adds just a hint of saltiness and helps bring it all together. Topped with a thin layer of tomato sauce and grated mozzarella cheese, you’ll have an impressive (and yummy) homemade pie in under 30 minutes. Just watch us add our favorite toppings to a pre-made dough—no fancy equipment needed!