The Best Homemade Pizza Dough

This is the only homemade pizza dough recipe you will ever need. It is simple, flavorful, and the perfect compliment for your favorite toppings.

I love pizza. I always have, and I always will. It’s just my destiny.

In fact, one of my friends made this lovely little watercolor with my past catchphrase, “Pizza is life.”

This pizza dough recipe is the same one my mom used all throughout my childhood that everyone raved about whenever she made it. This recipe originally came from the 1996 edition of the book Miserly Moms: Living on One Income in a Two Income Economy. (It could also be in the newer versions of the book, but I have not verified that.)

Secret Ingredient for Pizza Dough

I’m gonna do it. I am going to share the secret ingredient that makes this pizza dough divine.

Actually, there are two secret ingredients: dried oregano and garlic powder. Of course, you could omit these or use dill in place of oregano, but adding herbs directly to the dough truly elevates the flavor into a whole new realm.

Pizza Confessions

It might be sacrilege, but I don’t love pepperoni. I know it is the classic pizza topping along with cheese, (do I really need to mention cheese?), but pepperoni doesn’t do anything for me. I mean, I will still eat pepperoni pizza if it is the only option, because pizza, but I would rather have bacon, sausage, chicken or ham.

Also, I usually put the cheese on last over the other toppings. I feel like it holds everything together. Please don’t judge me too harshly.

My Favorite Pizza Toppings

I usually use whatever I have in the fridge or pantry at the time. My go-to toppings include things like red onions, green onions, olives, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, bacon, sausage, ham, and chicken. I have even had broccoli on a pizza once and I thought it was yummy. Pesto is another great addition!

My go-to red sauce is tomato and basil pasta sauce, and I usually use a combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and sprinkle grated parmesan over the top.

My favorite topping combinations are:

• Red sauce, crumbled bacon or bacon bits/ Italian sausage, black olives, and green onions
• BBQ sauce, chicken, and red onions
• Red sauce, ham, and pineapple
• Ranch, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, spinach, and green onions

If I am feeling really fancy, I like to do a balsamic vinegar reduction base topped with red onions, thinly sliced pears, and gorgonzola or feta cheese. After it is baked I add arugula and another drizzle of the balsamic vinegar, but only if I am feeling fancy.

Tips for For Using a Pizza Stone

I just recently got a pizza stone, and it took me a few times to gain confidence using it. Maybe you are an old pro with a baking stone, but I was scared I would break it, and I didn’t know how to transfer an uncooked pizza to the stone in the oven without making my once beautiful pizza into a big mess. So here are some tips if you, like me, are new to using a baking stone.

• Preheat the stone in the oven. Baking stones don’t like rapid temperature changes, so allowing it to preheat with the oven will prevent it from breaking.
• Allow the pizza stone to cool in the oven, again to protect it from rapid temperature changes.
• Clean your pizza stone with water and a scraper, no dish soap! Stones actually improve over time and become non-stick as they absorb grease from the the foods cooked on them. Also, you don’t want to have soapy tasting pizza or baked goods if your stone absorbs some of the dish soap.
• Sprinkle a liberal amount of cornmeal on the pan or peel you are using to prepare your pizza. It allows the pizza to slide easily onto the hot stone.

The Process of Making Pizza Dough

Proof the yeast with warm water and sugar.

Add the flour, salt, and herbs (if using), stir, then mix in the olive oil.

Knead for a few minutes, and shape the dough into a ball.

Allow the dough to rise for at least 5 minutes or up to 2 hours. (A longer rise will make the texture more bready.)

Preheat oven (and pizza stone, if using).

Prepare pan with olive oil and cornmeal. Shape dough either by hand or with a rolling pin.

Next add toppings!

Bake until golden brown and the crust is cooked through.

Slice and enjoy!

How to Make Pizza Dough

Pizza Dough Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 pkg. dry yeast (3/4 Tbsp.)
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 2-3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• *2 Tbsp. dried oregano or dill (optional)
• *1 tsp. garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the warm water, yeast, and sugar, stirring to dissolve the yeast. Let mixture rest for 5 minutes, until slightly foamy.
2. Add 2 cups of flour, salt, herbs, and garlic (if using). Stir until the dough starts to come together, the add the olive oil.
3. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface. If the dough is still quite sticky, add more flour 1/4 cup at a time. Adding too much flour can make the dough become hard.
4. Place dough ball in a bowl and cover. Let the dough rise for at least 5 minutes, or up to 2 hours. A longer rise will make the texture more bread-like.
5. Preheat oven to 450°. If you are using a pizza stone, make sure it is in the oven before it starts to preheat!
6. Prepare baking pan with olive oil and cornmeal. If using a pizza stone, just use cornmeal on sheet pan or peel to make an easier transfer.
7. Punch down dough, and shape into a large pizza. Prick the flattened dough several times with a fork to prevent large bubbles.
8. Cover with sauce and desired toppings.
9. Bake for 14-18 minutes, until the top is golden, and the base is cooked through and lightly browned.
10. Slice and enjoy!

Now it’s time to get your hands dirty and make some pizza! Happy baking (and eating!), Friends!

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