This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This week’s recipe needs no introduction. It is simple yet majestic, easy yet filling, ordinary yet popular. It is, hands down, the best thing that ever graced our taste buds. You guessed it right, pizza!
This Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe is the perfect example of a labor of love, here’s why.
Picture this, a golden crust topped with a hot bubbling layer of cheese and sliced vegetables. The flavorful taste of sauce, seasoning, and cheese is a force to mess with. Your taste buds wouldn’t know what hit them!
A sight to behold indeed. Hooked yet? If not, there is plenty where that came from.
So if you are looking for something to satisfy, impress, and have you forget about takeout, then this recipe is made for you. A pizza lover or not, you will definitely appreciate what’s cooking!
Read this blog: How To Perfectly Knead Your Dough.
Homemade Pizza Dough
This Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe presents a delicious meal across all generations. It is super approachable despite the fact that you would be dealing with yeast.
Surprise your family with a homemade pizza, or even make it a family event and allow your kids to go wild with toppings. This just grant you the mom of the year award, and made your Saturday family night much more interesting!
It is definitely worth a try, and hey! If at first you don’t succeed, dust your counter off and try again! The result is just that good!
Perfect Family Dinner!
The Story Behind It All
If you are planning on giving a standing ovation to whomever invented our cheesy friend, then it might take a while. The history of pizza depends on what you consider a pizza being.
If by your definition, a pizza is a flatbread cooked in the oven, then the Middle East is the one to thank. However, if you think a pizza has to have some sort of toppings, then our story begins with the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Now, if you are talking about the type of cheesy pizza layered with sauce and topped with the craziest things, then yes that did start in Italy. Around 600 B.C., in the faraway lands of Naples, flatbreads with various toppings were sold by street vendors to the poor, and was often looked upon with disgust.
Well, despite its rocky start, pizza grew to be a loved meal worldwide. It is consumed by everyone, everywhere, anytime. And despite its many variations, the memorable taste is nothing short of amazing.
A Labor of Love
Make This Pizza Dough Your Own!
Look, there is food…but then there’s pizza. I am sure you are no stranger to the types of pizza around. Quite literally, there is a pizza for everyone! So, what’s stopping your from sprinkling some of your own pixie dust into the Homemade Pizza Dough!
First, spice things up a bit by adding some flavor to your homemade dough. Something made out of flour and water may seem a bit bland, especially to those hungry taste buds. So, add some flavor to your crust by sprinkling some garlic powder (1/4 teaspoon) or dried basil leaves into your dough.
Second, play around with the topping! Want it easy, cheesy, and delicious? Go for it! Feeling tropical? No problem! Craving a bite of meat, chicken, or seafood on top? Go for it! You might want to try my Spicy Beef (Sujuk) Pizza. So, let’s go shopping for some toppings!
Finally, make the dough as thin or thick as your heart desires. It is beautiful in all its shapes and forms; and as long as you hear your tummy rumbling at the sight, then a job well done!
PIN THIS RECIPE!
Storing, Freezing, and Defrosting
Homemade Pizza Dough can be stored in the refrigerator by covering the bowl containing the dough with plastic wrap. This would prevent the surface from drying out. Although I hardly think you will last that long without seeking its cheesy deliciousness again.
This Homemade Pizza Dough recipe is also freezing-friendly. Lightly coat your dough balls with nonstick spray or olive oil, and place in zipped-topped bags. Make sure you remove all the air before popping them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To defrost your dough balls, then simply take them out of the freezer, remove the plastic bag, and place them in a slightly big container. Cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for a few hours.
A Meal Across Generations!
Tips for Perfect Results!
Let’s be clear here, pizza is always beautiful; but that doesn’t mean that you can’t aim to make it a proper star! So trust the crust, your inner chef, and these helping tips to make one mouthwatering Homemade Pizza Dough.
First, slightly pinch the edges of your dough or fold over the edges to create a thicker crust.
Second, after rolling the dough, use a fork to poke holes over the center of the dough to prevent bubbles from forming while baking.
Finally, don’t remove the pizza too early out of the oven! You don’t want to end up with doughy pizza, so allow your pizza to relish on the heat and enjoy the process.
Read this blog: How To Perfectly Knead Your Dough.
Frequently Asked Questions
I wouldn’t recommend using any substitute to your pizza sauce unless you are willing to be left with a watery mess.
Sure you can. Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with a damp towel or a plastic wrap, then place it in the refrigerator.
I usually use regular old-fashioned all-purpose flour to make my dough, but if you can also use bread flour if you have any at hand. Bread flour would add a crispier crust, while all-purpose flour results in a softer one.
A Picture That Is Worth a Thousands Words
The Ingredients You Will Need
- dry yeast
- sugar
- salt (optional)
- warm water
- all-purpose flour or bread flour
- olive oil
Toppings
- pasta sauce
- oregano
- garlic
- salt
- mushroom
- black olives
- mozzarella cheese
Follow These Easy Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the yeast, sugar, salt and warm water (please see notes below). Mix and allow to sit, so the yeast can activate for 10 minutes.
- Add in only 2 cups of flour and mix using a wooden spoon or hands. Gradually add in the rest of the flour as you’re kneading (remaining 1/2 cup of flour) as needed.
- Gradually add in the olive oil as you continue kneading, and smooth dough has formed. It should be sticky but manageable.
- Tuck it in to form a ball. Using the dough, collect any remaining flour or oil stuck around the bowl. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and set aside for 1/2 an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 450F, and gently deflate the dough.
- Roll out the dough depending on the shape you desire to make. Use your hands or a rolling pin. This recipe yields a large rectangular pizza, baked in a 18”x26” baking sheet like the one pictured in the blog. It feeds 5-7 adults.
- Place the dough on a prepared baking sheet with oiled parchment paper.
- Using a spoon or spatula, spread one cup of pasta sauce all over the spread dough. After doing so, season by sprinkling the sauce, garlic powder, oregano, and salt.
- Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese followed by your favorite toppings.
- Bake the pizza for 13-15 minutes, then broil on high heat for 1-2 minutes until your oriental toppings are golden brown.
Consume, Dust, Repeat!
Recipes You Wouldn’t Want to Miss
- Simple Skillet Flatbread
- Fruit & Ricotta Flatbread
- Easy One Bowl Banana Bread
- Lebanese Veggies Pizza (Pie)
- Lebanese Spinach Pies-Fatayer
- Easy Olive Bread
- Meat Pies – Lahme Bi Ajeen
- Greek Salad on Naan Bread
- Manakeesh
- Middle-Eastern Pancakes (Atayif)
Best Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons instant or active dry yeast
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water , 105-115F (40-46C) (see notes)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
Toppings
- 1 cup pasta sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 (8 oz) cans mushrooms, drained
- 2 (6 oz) cans black olives
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add the yeast, sugar, salt and warm water (please see notes below). Mix and allow to sit so yeast can activate for 10 minutes
- Add in only 2 cups of flour and mix using a wooden spoon or hands. Gradually add in the rest of the flour as you’re kneading (remaining 1/2 cup of flour) as needed.
- Gradually add in the olive oil as you continue kneading and smooth dough has formed. It should be sticky but manageable.
- Tuck it in to form a ball and using the dough collect any remaining flour or oil stuck around the bowl
- Cover the dough with a kitchen towel set aside for 1/2 an hour or until it has doubled in size
- Preheat oven to 450°F
- Gently deflate the dough
- Then roll out the dough depending on the shape you desire to make, using your hands or a rolling pin. The recipe yields a large rectangular pizza, baked in a 18” x 26” baking sheet like the one pictured in the blog that feeds 5-6 people.
- Place the dough on a prepared baking sheet with oiled parchment paper
- Using a spoon or spatula spread one cup of pasta sauce all over the spread dough. After doing so season by sprinkling over the sauce garlic powder, oregano and salt
- Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese following by your favorite toppings
- Bake pizza for 13-15 minutes then broil on high for 1-2 minutes oriental toppings are golden brown
Notes
- Water should be hot with temperature ranging between 105-115F (40-46C) so that yeast activates. I always use hot tap water and work perfectly.
- Left over dough? Deflate the dough and wrap tightly so it doesn’t dry out. A zip lock back with all the air released works well. Refrigerate for 3 days maximum or up to 1 month in freezer.
- You can proof the yeast with the water and sugar first and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to activate like I do, or you can mix it right into the dough which will work just the same.
Literally, the BEST pizza I have ever made! Thanks for making the recipes so easy and delicious.
This pizza is a keeper!! It was so easy and my Kitchen Aid mixer with dough hook made mixing ingredients fast and easy. Half of dough in freezer for next time!!!
So easy, so tasty, and so delicious! Your recipes are no fail. This one definitely desserves 5 stars
After trying many pizza dough recipes, this is the best! I wonder if i can make the dough with whole wheat
Happy to hear that! Whole wheat will require different measurements. I will work on adding that to the blog 🙂