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Craving a slice of cheesy goodness? This homemade pizza with a thick crust is your ticket to pizza paradise! It’s easy to whip up for a weeknight dinner, delivering all the flavor and comfort you want without the fuss. Just imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, bubbling slice topped with gooey cheese and your favorite toppings. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cheesy homemade pizza is not just a meal; it’s an experience. The thick crust provides the perfect base, while the melted cheese creates that irresistible stretch we all love. Plus, making pizza at home means you can customize it just the way you like!
- Quick and easy: Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Customizable: Add your favorite toppings!
- Kid-friendly: Fun for the whole family to make together.
- Budget-friendly: Save money compared to ordering out.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
How to Make Cheesy Homemade Pizza
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and olive oil. Add the yeast mixture and stir until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a greased 12-inch pizza pan. Press and stretch the dough to fit the pan, creating a thicker edge for the crust.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce. Add oregano and black pepper if desired.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, slice, and serve!
Tips for the Best Results
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Save your favorites, discover something different, or make meal planning a whole lot easier.
For an even crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings. Make sure your oven is fully preheated, and consider using a pizza stone for optimal heat distribution.
Easy Variations
- Add cooked meats like pepperoni, sausage, or grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Top with fresh vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.
- Experiment with different cheeses, such as provolone or cheddar.
- Try a white pizza by omitting the sauce and adding ricotta cheese and garlic.
What to Serve With It
- Fresh garden salad with vinaigrette
- Garlic breadsticks or knots
- Buffalo wings or chicken tenders
- Classic coleslaw
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place slices on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual slices for about 30-60 seconds.
Recipe Card
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and olive oil. Add the yeast mixture and stir until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a greased 12-inch pizza pan. Press and stretch the dough to fit the pan, creating a thicker edge for the crust.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce. Add oregano and black pepper if desired.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, slice, and serve!
Notes: For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings.
