How to Make Homemade Pizza: Easy and Quick Recipe

Pizza is a universal favorite, but there’s something extra special about making it at home. If you’ve ever craved a homemade pizza that’s both easy and delicious, you’re in the right place. This homemade pizza recipe is incredibly simple to prepare, using basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. You don’t need to be a professional chef to create a pizza with a soft, golden crust, melted mozzarella, and fresh toppings—all in less than an hour!

This easy and quick pizza recipe uses a straightforward dough that requires no yeast, making it a go-to option for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. With a few pantry staples and some fresh toppings, you’ll have a delicious, crispy, and cheesy pizza ready in no time.

Ingredients for Homemade Pizza

For the Dough:

1 cup of milk

1 egg
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of sugar

1 tablespoon of butter or margarine
1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour (wheat flour)
1 teaspoon of baking powder

For the Filling:

250 grams (8.8 oz) of thickly grated mozzarella cheese
2 tomatoes, sliced
Chopped olives to taste

½ can of tomato sauce
Oregano to taste

These ingredients create a delicious homemade pizza with a soft crust and a simple yet flavorful topping. Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Homemade Pizza

1. Prepare the Dough

First, gather all the ingredients for the dough. In a blender, add 1 cup of milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of butter or margarine, 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Blend everything together until the mixture is smooth and you have a consistent, homogeneous dough.

The use of baking powder, rather than yeast, ensures that this dough is quick to prepare and still rises slightly for a soft, pillowy crust. Blending the dough helps to mix the ingredients evenly and saves time.

2. Spread the Dough

Next, grease a pizza pan with margarine or butter to prevent the dough from sticking. Pour the prepared dough onto the pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Make sure to spread the dough thin enough to create a nice crust, but thick enough to support the toppings.

Tip: If you don’t have a pizza pan, you can also use a regular baking tray. Just adjust the size and thickness of the dough accordingly.

3. Bake the Dough

Now that your dough is spread, preheat your oven to 180ºC (356°F). Place the dough into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden and the dough is firm to the touch.

This first bake is crucial because it ensures the base is fully cooked before adding the toppings. A partially cooked base may lead to a soggy pizza, so be patient and allow the dough to firm up properly.

4. Add the Tomato Sauce

Once the dough is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly for a couple of minutes. This will help the sauce spread more easily without soaking into the dough. Take ½ can of tomato sauce and spread it evenly over the surface of the dough using a spoon or spatula.

For a richer flavor, you can season the tomato sauce with a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder before spreading it. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can opt for a homemade marinara sauce.

5. Add the Toppings

With the sauce in place, it’s time to layer on the toppings. Start by sprinkling 250 grams (8.8 oz) of thickly grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. Then, arrange the sliced tomatoes and chopped olives on top of the cheese. Finally, sprinkle oregano to taste for that classic Italian pizza flavor.

Feel free to add more toppings if you like! You can incorporate other ingredients such as pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, or even cooked sausage. The beauty of homemade pizza is its versatility, so you can get creative with your favorite combinations.

6. Bake Until the Cheese Melts

Once you’ve added your toppings, return the pizza to the oven. Bake at 180ºC (356°F) until the mozzarella cheese melts and becomes bubbly and slightly golden—this should take about 10-15 minutes.

Tip: For a crispier crust, you can increase the temperature slightly in the last few minutes of baking, but keep an eye on it to avoid burning the cheese.

7. Serve and Enjoy

When the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown, your homemade pizza is ready to be served! Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two before slicing it. Serve it hot and enjoy the crispy crust, gooey cheese, and fresh toppings.

Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza

Here are a few tips to ensure your homemade pizza turns out perfectly every time:

Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure the milk and egg are at room temperature before blending the dough. This helps the dough come together smoothly and bake more evenly.
Don’t overbake the dough in the first bake: Keep an eye on the dough during the initial bake. You want it to firm up but not become too crisp before adding the toppings.
Preheat the oven properly: Always preheat your oven before baking the pizza to ensure even cooking. A cold oven will result in uneven baking and may cause the crust to be undercooked.
Customize the toppings: While this recipe includes mozzarella, tomatoes, and olives, feel free to customize the toppings based on your preferences. Add meats like pepperoni or ham, or opt for more veggies like bell peppers and mushrooms.
Bake at high heat for a crispy crust: For a crispier crust, you can increase the oven temperature to around 200ºC (392°F) for the last 5 minutes of baking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use whole wheat flour for the dough?

Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour in this recipe if you prefer a healthier, more fiber-rich pizza crust. Keep in mind that whole wheat flour may result in a denser texture, so you might need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe.

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just make sure to cover it with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. When you’re ready to use it, let the dough come to room temperature before spreading it onto the pan.

3. Can I freeze the pizza dough?

Yes, you can freeze the dough for later use. After blending the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight and bring it to room temperature before baking.

4. Can I use different cheeses?

Definitely! While mozzarella is a classic choice for pizza, you can experiment with other cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or even a mix of cheeses for a different flavor profile. Just make sure the cheese melts well and complements your toppings.

5. How do I prevent a soggy pizza crust?

To prevent the crust from becoming soggy, pre-bake the dough for the recommended time before adding the sauce and toppings. Additionally, avoid adding too much tomato sauce, as it can cause excess moisture that makes the crust soggy.

6. Can I make this pizza gluten-free?

Yes! To make this pizza gluten-free, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend contains a binding agent like xanthan gum to help the dough hold together.

7. Can I make a vegetarian version of this pizza?

Of course! The basic recipe is already vegetarian with mozzarella, tomatoes, and olives. If you want more variety, consider adding other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or onions for a delicious vegetarian pizza.

Conclusion

This homemade pizza recipe is perfect for those nights when you want something easy and delicious without the hassle of ordering takeout. With a simple, yeast-free dough and classic toppings, you can have a flavorful pizza on the table in under an hour. Whether you stick to the traditional mozzarella and tomato topping or customize it with your favorite ingredients, this quick and easy pizza will quickly become a household favorite.

Enjoy the process of making homemade pizza, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and toppings to make it your own!