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Stop Paying for Takeout, Make This Pizza Instead: Easy homemade pizza is one of those recipes that makes a regular night feel fun. It’s easy, customizable, and way simpler than most people think – especially when you have a reliable dough method and a few go-to topping combos. This is my “we’re making pizza tonight” recipe for weeknights, weekends, sleepovers, and anytime we’re in the mood for pizza night!
The best part is you don’t need fancy tools or a pizza oven to get that chewy crust and bubbly cheese. With a hot oven (and a couple small tricks), you can make homemade pizza that tastes a million times better than takeout, and everyone gets to build their own. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it’s always a win!
Don’t want all the extras in a recipe post? We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.
At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
How to Make Pizza at Home From Scratch
This easy homemade pizza recipe makes a chewy, golden crust with melty cheese and your favorite toppings—no pizza oven required. Perfect for weeknights or pizza night, it’s simple, customizable, and better than takeout.
What You Need for Easy From Scratch Pizza
First assemble the following ingredients:
- Corn meal (2 tbsp) – I like to use corn meal instead of flour to roll out the pizza dough.
- Pizza crust (1) – Provides a neutral, slightly yeasty base that allows the flavors of the toppings to stand out. Our homemade pizza crust is the best easy recipe!
- Marinara sauce (1/4 cup) – Adds a tangy and slightly sweet tomato flavor, enhancing the overall richness of the pizza.
- Mozzarella cheese (1 cup) – Offers a creamy, mild, and slightly tangy taste, contributing to the gooey, stretchy texture of the pizza.
- Parmesan cheese (½ cup) – Imparts a salty, nutty flavor, adding depth and a savory note to the pizza’s taste profile.
- Italian seasoning (½ tsp) – Bring a fragrant and herby aroma, with hints of oregano, basil, and thyme, infusing the pizza with classic Italian flavors.
Homemade Pizza Step-by-Step
After gathering your ingredients, we will use this method:
Make Pizza Dough
Use our Pizza Dough Recipe to make your dough, or you can also use store-bought pre-risen pizza dough.
Roll Out Dough
Roll dough out and place on large pan. If you dont have a round pizza pan, you can use a baking sheet.
Prebake
Lightly prebake dough. While this isnt how a traditional pizzeria does it, we will lightly pre-bake our dough as most home ovens don’t get as hot as a pizza oven. Just bake until the dough slides around the pan if lightly jiggled (about 5-8 minutes)
Top Pizza
Add sauce, mozzarella cheese, and any toppings you want on your pizza.
Bake
Bake pizza – for best results, bake directly on oven rack to get a crispy crust.
From Scratch Pizza Secrets (So It Turns Out Perfect)
Sauce Simplicity: For the sauce, simplicity is key. Use high-quality canned tomatoes, crush them, and add a bit of salt. Cooking the sauce isn’t necessary as it will cook on the pizza.
Less is More with Toppings: Overloading the pizza with toppings can result in a soggy crust. Keep the toppings light and balanced. For the best flavor and melting quality, use fresh mozzarella rather than pre-shredded cheese.
Stretching the Dough: Avoid rolling pins as they can deflate the dough. Instead, use your hands to gently stretch the dough. This method preserves the air bubbles in the crust.
Oiling the Crust: Brush the edges of your crust with olive oil before baking. This helps in achieving a golden and crispy crust.
Even Distribution: Distribute the sauce and toppings evenly. This ensures each slice has a balanced flavor and cooks uniformly.
Baking Time: Keep an eye on the pizza as it bakes. The baking time will vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the crust. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
Resting Time: Let the pizza rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps in setting the cheese and makes it easier to slice.
Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings and flavor combinations. Homemade pizza is a great opportunity to tailor it to your personal taste preferences.
Other Pizza Recipes We Love
Try these other recipes next:
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Easy Homemade Pizza
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp corn meal
- 1 premade pizza crust, see my recipe
- ¼ cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a perforated pizza pan with cooking spray.
- Spread the cornmeal on a clean countertop. Press and roll out the pie crust until thin and spread the dough onto the prepared pizza pan.
- Bake in the center rack of the oven for 3-5 minutes just until the dough moves freely when shaken on the pan. You may need to run a spatula around it but the dough should be partially cooked and shift independently on the pizza pan.
- Spread the marinara sauce evenly all over the partially cooked dough, Spread the mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over the marinara sauce then sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Bake in the oven for 8 minutes.
- After 8 minutes use an oven mitt to shift the pizza off of the perforated pan and straight onto the oven rack (this will help cook the bottom of the pizza). Let it cook another 5-10 minutes or until at the desired doneness.
Notes
- Bake hot for the best crust: 475–500°F if your oven allows.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella to avoid watery pizza.
- Don’t overload toppings—too much can make the center soggy.
- Preheat your pan/stone (if using) for a crispier bottom.
- Par-bake the crust 3–5 minutes if you’re using heavy toppings.
- Leftovers reheat best in a skillet or air fryer to crisp the crust again.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Everything You Need to Know About Making Pizza
This depends on personal preference. For a thinner, crispier crust, roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. For a thicker crust, 1/2 inch is a good guideline.
Use your hands to gently stretch the dough from the center outwards. Avoid using a rolling pin, as it can deflate the dough.
Yes, store-bought dough is a convenient option and can yield great results. Let it come to room temperature before stretching.
Use parchment paper beneath the dough or a well-oiled pan to prevent sticking. Cornmeal or flour can also provide a non-stick surface.
Popular options include pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and olives. Fresh basil, arugula, or a drizzle of olive oil can be added after baking for fresh flavor.
If I add Italian sausage would I cook it before adding it or put it on raw?
I would cook it ahead of time. Good question!