The Best Easy and Affordable Homemade Pizza Recipe

Celebrate National Pizza Day with a Homemade Pizza Recipe

Pizza is loved worldwide, so are we really surprised this food has its own nationally dedicated day? From Chicago deep dish to New York’s finest thin crust to Tavern style pizzas, there are tons of different varieties to sink your teeth into. You can even get dessert pizza! So, if there’s one thing pizza has taught us, it’s that this widely popular dish is incredibly versatile. In honor of National Pizza Day, we have an easy and affordable homemade pizza recipe, so you can make your own pizza dough and sauce for that gourmet taste without having to leave your home.* If you’re looking for quick and simple pizza recipes, this should be the first one on your list!

The History of Pizza

The history of pizza dates back centuries and has evolved over time. The origins of pizza can be traced back to ancient civilizations, but its modern form, as we know it today, is closely associated with Naples, Italy.

1. Ancient Roots: Flatbreads with various toppings were consumed in ancient civilizations. Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans had their own versions of flatbreads with toppings such as herbs, oil, and cheese.
2. Naples, Italy: The birthplace of modern pizza is considered to be Naples in the 18th century. The poor in Naples began adding tomatoes to their flatbreads, which then led to what we now know as modern pizza.
3. Margherita Pizza: In 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples, and a local pizza maker, Raffaele Esposito, created a pizza in her honor. The pizza featured tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, representing the colors of the Italian flag, and was then named Margherita pizza, after the queen.
4. Spread to the United States: Italian immigrants brought pizza to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It gained popularity in cities with large Italian communities, such as Chicago and New York City, two places who are now practically known for their pizza.
5. Post-WWII Boom: Pizza’s popularity surged after World War II. Returning American soldiers, who had developed a taste for pizza in Italy, contributed to its widespread acceptance.
6. Diverse Varieties: Over time, pizza has evolved, and different regions and cultures have developed their own unique styles. New York-style pizza, Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, and various international variations showcase the diversity of this beloved dish.
7. Global Phenomenon: Today, pizza is a global phenomenon enjoyed in numerous variations worldwide. It has become a symbol of not only fast food and comfort food, but also culinary innovation.

New York-Style Pizza vs. Chicago-Style Pizza

Before we start our pizza dough, it’s important to first understand the difference between two of the most popular pizza styles–New York and Chicago-style.

New York-style pizza is a fan favorite, boasting a thin and foldable crust, typically adorned with a combination of tomato sauce and mozzarella. What sets it apart are the generously sized, wide slices that make it a hallmark of New York pizza culture.

In contrast, Chicago-style pizza distinguishes itself through its deep-dish crust, creating a sturdy foundation for layers of cheese, toppings, and a robust, chunky tomato sauce. The result is a pizza with a heartier, pie-like structure that stands out among other pizza varieties.

Now that you know how to differentiate the two, let’s jump into how to make your own homemade pizza dough!

How to Make Homemade Pizza Dough

By: Tatiana Lewis

Here we have a classic dough recipe that’s not only super easy, but also fun to make! 

Ingredients  

• 1 cup warm water 105 °F-110 °F
• 2 ½ cups bread flour or All-purpose flour
• 1 (.25 ounce) package of active dry yeast 
• 1 teaspoon sugar   
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 teaspoon salt 

Directions  

1. Preheat oven to 450 °F. Lightly grease a pizza pan or dust a pizza stone with cornmeal. 

2. Place warm water in a bowl. Then, add yeast and sugar. Mix and let stand until the mixture looks frothy (about 10-15 minutes). 

3. Add flour, oil, and salt to the yeast mixture, and beat until smooth. You can do this by hand or use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook to make it easier. When you’re done mixing, let it rest for five minutes. 

4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a 12-inch circle. Then, transfer to the prepared pizza pan or stone. 

5. Spread crust with sauce (use the best pizza sauce recipe below!) and toppings of your choice. 

6. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, remove from the oven and let cool for five minutes before serving. 

Best Pizza Sauce Recipe 

By: Tatiana Lewis

The sauce is one of the most important aspects of your homemade pizza recipe. A simple, delicious tomato sauce, like the following, goes a long way. This recipe should yield 4 cups. 

Ingredients 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1/3 cup onion chopped (we recommend a white or yellow onion)
• 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, about 3 cloves of fresh garlic. You can also use pre-minced garlic, if preferred. 
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste 
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano 
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional 
• 28 ounces canned whole tomatoes, or 28 ounces can crushed tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon of sugar, optional  

Directions 

1. Chop the onion and mince your garlic. Set aside for later.

2. In a small bowl, add your oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper (if you like). 

3. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. When it’s hot, add your olive oil and swirl evenly to coat the pan. 

4. Add your chopped onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to brown. 

5. Add your minced garlic and all the spices. Sauté and stir for 1 minute until the garlic and spices are fragrant. 

6. Add your tomato paste. Stir it into the garlic and spread it out in the pan, so it’s heated. 

7. Add the whole tomatoes or crushed tomatoes. Break up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon as much as you can. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and let simmer for 30 minutes.  

8. Add sugar if necessary. If you’re not sure, taste your sauce and decide if it’s too acidic. If so, start with a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, moving up to 1 teaspoon at a time. Sweeten to your liking. 

9. Blend the sauce. Turn off the heat and use an immersion blender to puree the sauce. If you don’t have an immersion blender, let your sauce cool for a few minutes before transferring to a blender. You’ll have to blend your sauce in two batches, but don’t fill the blender to the fill line. Instead, add less sauce than you think you should add. This is because the sauce is very hot and will expand when blended. 

If you prefer a chunky sauce, skip the blending process and use it as is. 

10. Lastly, add the sauce to your homemade pizza crust.

Easy Pizza Toppings Ideas 

Try out some of the most popular toppings for your homemade pizza recipe by choosing from one of the following easy pizza toppings ideas:

• Margherita – Buffalo Mozzarella cheese with fresh Basil leaves and tomato sauce. 
• Classic Meat Pizza – use a 3-cheese blend, such as mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan, with pepperoni, sausage, and sliced ham. 
• Pineapple Pizza – Mozzarella cheese, Canadian bacon, pineapple chunks, and some bacon crumbles. 
• Vegetarian – Bell peppers, mushrooms, red onion, with a 3-cheese blend.
• BBQ – use BBQ sauce instead of tomato sauce, and add grilled chicken and red onion. 
• Pesto Pizza – use pesto instead of tomato sauce and add chicken, mushrooms, and some parmesan. Alternatively, you can make it vegetarian without the chicken and instead add artichoke hearts. 
• Gluten-Free Pizza – use cauliflower instead of flour for a gluten-free cauliflower crust. Check out our Gluten-free Pizza Crust recipe here.* 

Try Our Homemade Pizza Recipe for Yourself!

Pizza isn’t that hard to make, and with our homemade pizza recipe, you can enjoy it while practicing your culinary skills. As always, we encourage you to try new homemade pizza recipes.* So, get out there and start creating! Want to tackle a Chicago Deep Dish? Try it for yourself by watching this tutorial!*

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