Easy Homemade Pizza

Easy homemade pizza is a delicious and fun meal that everyone can enjoy. It’s surprisingly simple to make, and you can customize it with your favorite toppings. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• For the dough:
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
• For the sauce:
  • 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• For the toppings:
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Your favorite toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers, olives, etc.

Instructions:

1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes, until the yeast is foamy. Stir in the flour, salt, and olive oil until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

2. Make the sauce: While the dough is rising, combine the crushed tomatoes, olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

4. Assemble the pizza: Once the dough has doubled in size, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Spread the sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.

5. Add toppings: Top the pizza with your favorite toppings. I used mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and onions.

6. Bake the pizza: Bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Slice and serve: Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips:

• For a chewier crust, let the dough rise for an additional 30 minutes after rolling it out.
• You can use store-bought pizza dough if you’re short on time.
• Get creative with your toppings! There are endless possibilities.
• Leftover pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Enjoy your delicious homemade pizza!

Here are some additional tips for making easy homemade pizza:

• If you don’t have a pizza stone, you can bake the pizza on a baking sheet. Just preheat the baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes before adding the pizza.
• You can also grill your pizza for a smoky flavor. Just preheat your grill to medium-high heat and cook the pizza for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• For a vegan pizza, use vegan cheese and toppings.
• Make it a family activity! Let everyone help assemble their own pizzas.

With a little practice, you’ll be a homemade pizza pro in no time!