Skip the pizza delivery this week and let me show you how to make this easy recipe for homemade pizza dough that also includes easy freezing tips.
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This recipe I'm sharing with you today is a very traditional pizza recipe. I have a few other pizza recipes here on the site that you will love as well, a few are homemade like the Beer Dough Pizza Recipe and a few are semi-homemade like the Pizza Braid Recipe that starts out with a refrigerator pizza dough.
A Family Tradition
My family loves homemade pizza. Maybe it's because my grandmother made the very best pizza...ever. When we would make the trip out to Ohio from New York to visit with my grandmother, my sister and I would call her up and put in our requests for her homemade pizza.
I can't even tell you how many pizzas she would make for our visit. All I know is her freezer was full and we had pizza every single day during our visits.
Grandma would make her own dough and put the pizzas together with sauce, cheese and all the toppings, however, she wouldn't, bake them. They were wrapped, labeled and frozen. They were the original "frozen pizza" and they were amazing.
Can you freeze homemade pizza dough?
Yes! This recipe will make two loaves of pizza dough and I always make one pizza for dinner and freeze the other one for a later time.
I've even made a few recipes of homemade pizza dough in one day to freeze them all for a later time...especially when the kids will be coming home. It's always good to have homemade pizza dough in the freezer when my kids are coming home for a visit.
Can you freeze store bought pizza dough?
If for some reason you don't feel like making this easy recipe, you can freeze store bought pizza dough as well. I've frozen purchased pizza dough from my local pizza restaurant, grocery store and even Walmart. They all defrost nicely and bake delicious pizza.
How to freeze homemade pizza dough:
This recipe will make two loaves of pizza dough. You can use them both for dinner or you can make one pizza and freeze the other dough for another time.
- After you have divided the dough into the 2 equal parts, you can place the dough rounds on a parchment or waxed paper lined baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet into the freezer and flash freeze the dough for about 30 minutes.
- Remove the dough rounds from the baking sheet and wrap individually in either plastic wrap or parchment paper.
- Place each dough round into a large freezer safe plastic bag and freeze for up to two months.
- When you are ready to use, take the frozen dough round out of the freezer and let it come to room temperature.
- Once defrosted, prepare the pizza as instructed below.
Ingredients
Exact measurements are listed below in the recipe card. Make sure you scroll down to print and save the recipe for later!
- Active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water; 105 - 110 degrees
- All purpose flour
- Olive oil
- Salt
- White sugar
Directions
In a small bowl, add the yeast to the 1 cup of warm water. Use a digital meat thermometer to make sure the water is somewhere between 105 and 110 degrees. Stir and set aside for about 5 minutes to proof.
I like to put a plate over the bowl which helps capture the heat of the water and grow the yeast. When the yeast starts to get bubbly and foamy, it’s ready.
How to form the dough
In the bowl of a KitchenAid Mixer, add the salt, sugar and olive oil with the dough hook attached. Then add the proofed yeast to the bowl as well.
Begin by adding one cup of flour while the mixer is on low speed until it is combined with the wet ingredients. Then add the second cup of flour.
The mixture should start to come together into a ball that is just a bit sticky.
Set a timer for 5 minutes and let the machine continue to mix or knead the dough on low speed.
If the dough starts sticking to the sides of the mixer, add a little more flour. After 5 minutes you should have a nice smooth ball of dough that is slightly tacky and springs back when you poke it.
Let the Dough Rise
Now, add a little oil to another clean bowl and swirl it around so it covers the sides of the bowl. Add the dough to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm area until the dough has doubled in size; about 1 to 2 hours.
Look how much the dough has grown within two hours! That's the power of yeast. This dough is ready to divide and make into pizza.
After the dough has risen, lightly “punch the dough” and then turn it out on a floured surface to prepare for pizza or you can freeze the dough at this point.
How to Make Pizza
For this traditional pizza dough, I chose to make it into a rectangle shape, because that's how my grandmother always made her pizzas. You can choose to bake your pizza on a pizza stone or baking trays.
If you choose to use a pizza stone, you need to preheat it for about 30 minutes in a 435 degree oven. Be careful when removing it from the oven because it will be very hot.
Spread out the dough into a rectangle shape. You can do this with a rolling pin; or just use your hands. I like to use my hands to stretch and shape the dough, my hubby likes to use a rolling pin. It’s really up to you.
Spread the marinara sauce on top followed by cheese and your favorite pizza toppings.
Baking Instructions
Place the baking tray or pizza stone in the preheated 435 degree oven and bake for about 15 to 18 minutes or until the pizza crust is browned and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Ready for more great pizza recipes?
- Homemade Pizza Dipping Sauces - I had no clue dipping sauces were so popular until I tasted them a few years ago. These sauces are amazing!
- Mini Pizza Appetizers - use cookie cutters to cut out adorable shapes to make cute mini pizzas for parties, bridal showers or movie night with the family.
- Bacon and Spinach Alfredo Pizza - a new delicious twist on pizza made with a refrigerator pizza dough.
Homemade Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast or a .25 ounce packet
- 1 cup warm water 105 - 110 degrees
- 2 to 3 cups flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
Instructions
How to Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, add the yeast to one cup of warm water, stir and set aside for about 5 minutes to proof.
- When the yeast starts to get bubbly and foamy, it’s ready.
- In the bowl of a KitchenAid Mixer, add the salt, sugar and olive oil with the dough hook attached. Then add the proofed yeast to the bowl as well.
- Begin by adding one cup of flour while the mixer is on low speed until it is combined with the wet ingredients. Then add the second cup of flour.
- The mixture should start to come together into a ball that is just a bit sticky.
How to Knead the Dough
- You can do this two ways, by hand or let the mixer do it. I prefer to use the mixer. Set a timer for 5 minutes and let the machine continue to mix the dough on low speed.
- If the dough starts sticking to the sides of the mixer, you can add a little more flour.
- After 5 minutes you should have a nice smooth ball of dough that is slightly tacky and springs back when you poke it.
How to Let the Dough Rise
- Add a little oil to another clean bowl. Swirl the oil around so it covers the sides of the bowl.
- Add the dough to this bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm area until the dough has doubled in size; about 1 to 2 hours.
- After the dough has risen, lightly “punch the dough” and then turn it out on a floured surface.
- Shape the dough to fit the pan you are using and then prepare the pizza by adding your favorite marinara sauce, cheese and pizza toppings.
How to Bake the Pizza
Place the baking tray or pizza stone in a preheated 435 degree oven and bake for about 15 to 18 minutes or until the pizza crust is browned and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
If you are using a pizza stone to bake the pizza, it needs to be preheated for at least 30 to 45 minutes before adding the homemade dough to it.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 189Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 134mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 5g
The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Not only am I now craving pizza but I am inspired to give this recipe a try for our next pizza night. Thanks for sharing with us this week at #HomeMattersParty
I was one of those people that was afraid of yeast for a very long time. I think part of it was that my Mom never made yeast breads so I never saw how it was done. I finally got over my fear of yeast in the last few years, and I am so glad that I did! Your pizza looks so yummy Lois, and I love that you have a Saturday night tradition. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Rachel
I was one of those people that was afraid of yeast for a very long time. I think part of it was that my Mom never made yeast breads so I never saw how it was done. I finally got over my fear of yeast in the last few years, and I am so glad that I did! Your pizza looks so yummy Lois, and I love that you have a Saturday night tradition. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Rachel
looks awesome! questions: I've never seen that thing you are kneading with! What is it?? And, it looks like you have your cookie sheet lined with foil?? Where did you put the olive oil? I can't wait to try this!
Oh wow, I suddenly want pizza for dinner 🙂
I've always meant to try making my own pizza. Yours does look very tasty.
We love good pizza and this looks so good! Thanks for sharing.
The pizza, especially the crust, looks so tasty! Hope you have a blessed Sunday.
I am going to get the ingredients and try this tomorrow - it looks terrific! sandie
Homemade pizza is the best.
I'm so glad you shared this! I love homemade pizza, but the recipe I use for our dough is terrible. I can't wait to try yours though; it looks delicious! Thanks!
very interesting post,i have bookmarked it,i wiill revist your blog.thanks...
We were just talking about finding a good pizza dough recipe today!! I think we have been blessed to find one that sounds and looks so delicious. I look forward to trying this real soon. Thanks so much for sharing!
That is a versatile recipe - I use it for french bread also. You pizza looks delicious - I'll make some tomorrow night.
I don't remember being invited over for dinner tomorrow night. lol The pizza looks fantastic! We usually have homemade pizza on Friday nights - and it just occurred to me that I need to get on that project! Enjoy your pizza and have a great weekend!♥
That looks so good! We love homemade pizza too. I usually make the dough in the bread maker. I used to have a sour dough starter that I used to make pizza dough and it was so yummy!
That looks delicous! Since I found out I am gluten sensitive, I haven't had pizza....well only once but it was a flop even though a King Arthur box mix. Your husband must love your cooking!
Yes, I do 🙂
That's sweet.
We love pizza and that sure does look yummy.
I am one of those that is afraid of anything with yeast. I will have to try your way. Thanks
Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Your pizza looks awesome. Now I have a HUGE craving, definitely pizza tonight.
I used to make my own pizza dough and we would do the Pizza On The Grill. Hubs loved it!! I should make it again one day. Thanks for the reminder.
I am going to try your recipe the next time I make homemade pizza. I usually divide mine onto two large round pizza pans...that makes a super thin crust, but I like thin.
Thanks for sharing!
Good morning! Can't tell you how good that looks....I LOVE anything with homemade dough. There is just nothing that can beat it. I love the smell of yeasty bread...haha. Have a wonderful week-end Lois! HUGS