This homemade pizza recipe delivers a crisp-yet-chewy crust, flavorful sauce, and perfectly melted cheese—just like your favorite pizzeria. With simple ingredients and a high-heat baking method, this beginner-friendly pizza recipe gives reliable, restaurant-quality results right from your home oven.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough homemade or store-bought, room temperature
- 1½ –2 cups low-moisture mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ –¾ cup pizza sauce thick and well-seasoned
- Seasonings & Flavor
- 1 –2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder or 1 clove minced garlic
- ½ –1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- Pantry Staples
- All-purpose or bread flour for shaping
- Salt to taste
- Cornmeal optional, for dusting
- Optional Toppings
- Pepperoni cooked sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, fresh basil, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
- Preheat oven to 475–500°F (245–260°C) for at least 30 minutes.
- If using a pizza stone or steel, place it in the oven while preheating.
- Prepare the Dough
- Lightly flour a clean surface. Stretch or roll dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Transfer Dough
- Place dough on parchment paper or a floured pizza peel.
- Brush the edges lightly with olive oil.
- Assemble Pizza
- Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a border.
- Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
- Add toppings sparingly to avoid sogginess.
- Bake
- Transfer pizza to the hot oven (or stone/steel).
- Bake 10–14 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling with light browning.
- Rest & Finish
- Remove from oven and rest 2–3 minutes before slicing.
- Finish with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
- Less sauce and fewer toppings = crispier pizza.
- High heat is essential for good crust texture.
- Let dough come fully to room temperature before shaping.