This is the only recipe for homemade Pizza you will ever need. This is how you make the best pizza dough, sauce, toppings, and more.

Have a pizza night? This is the place for you. We have all the resources you need to make the best homemade Pizza (really!). Pizza is our specialty as both home cooks and cookbook authors. It took us years to find the best way to make Pizza at home. Learn how to make a delicious pizza crust that will bring back memories of your favourite pizza place and how to make a garlicky, tangy pizza sauce. This is the only recipe you will ever need again.

Homemade Pizza: basic methods

There are many ways to make homemade pie. You can choose your pizza dough, your sauce and your toppings. There are many different pizza-making methods. Each one requires different equipment and techniques. To help you choose the right pizza dough, read the following summary. Next, open the recipe in a new browser or tab.

Best homemade pizza sauce

Next, make a delicious pizza! Our fan-favourite Homemade Pizza Sauce. This is a popular recipe on our website. One taste will show you why. You will be raving about the sweet, vibrant flavour of the tomatoes and the garlicky, savoury end. Here are some facts about pizza sauce.

  • Canister fire-roasted tomatoes The flavour of fire-roasted tomatoes is sweet and subtle, with a hint of smoke right from the can. This is in contrast to regular canned tomatoes, which can be bitter. These tomatoes are available in most grocery stores. They are not always readily available. Get the highest quality canned tomatoes.
  • This takes only 5 minutes in the blender. Mix the tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt and oregano. It tastes amazing! No cooking is necessary.

Equipment for making Pizza: stones, peels and more

You will need a few tools to make homemade Pizza, depending on the type of dough you use. Here are the tools you will need:

  • Pizza stone: High temperatures make the best pie. The crust is crispy on the outside and chewy inside. We recommend the pizza stones and some tips on how you can care for them.
  • Pizza Peel: A peel is a tool that allows you to slide a pizza onto the hot stone. This standard pizza sheet and this conveyor pizza sheet are our favourites. It’s easy to slide onto the stone with the conveyor.
  • OR, a sheet pan or cast-iron skillet: A pizza stone is unnecessary for Cast Iron Pizza and Sheet Pan Pizza as the crust style is distinct. These pizzas have a thicker crust than the traditional artisan-style crust.
  • Stand mixer You don’t have to use a mixer to make pizza dough. Instead, you can use your hands to knead the dough with your hands. It makes the process much easier and more hands-free.

Basic steps to making homemade Pizza

Now it’s time for the fun part: Once you have your recipe and equipment, it is time to start cooking! These are some tips to help you make homemade Pizza. Or, jump to the recipe below.

  • Prepare the dough. Make the Pizza Dough Master recipe or Thin Crust Dough.
  • Heat the oven and pizza stones to 500° Fahrenheit.
  • Spread the pizza dough. This step requires the most skill! Dust the top of the dough with flour. You can gently roll the dough out to an 8-inch circle using your fingers. If it becomes too sticky, you can flip it several times. Next, take the dough out of the bowl and place it in your hands. Slowly turn the dough around so that gravity can stretch it to a radius of approximately 11 inches. Step-by-step photos are provided in How To Stretch Pizza Dough.
  • Roll out the dough (thin crust dough). Use just enough flour to prevent the dough from sticking.
  • Add the toppings. Place the pizza dough on a pizza pan. Add the toppings quickly.
  • Bake for 5 to 7 minutes. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes on the preheated pizza pan.

Pizza topping ideas

Below are our favourite homemade toppings for Pizza. We love simplicity! When you take it out of the oven, add that garlicky, tangy sauce and gooey cheese. It’s so simple and delicious! These are some other topping ideas.

  • Margherita: Red sauce, fresh mozzarella, Parmesan, basil
  • Veggie supreme: Red sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, green pepper, red onion
  • Pesto: Pesto, mozzarella, fresh tomatoes
  • White Pizza: Ricotta, garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan
  • Mushroom: Mushrooms, thyme, oregano, goat cheese, mozzarella
  • Goat cheese: Red sauce, mozzarella, goat cheese, basil
  • Taco pizza: Refried beans, cheddar cheese, green onions, black olives, romaine, ranch
  • Spinach artichoke: Spinach, garlic, artichokes, mozzarella, Parmesan

Ingredients

To make pizza dough

  • 1 ball Best Pizza Dough, Thin Crust Dough, or Cast Iron Pizza, Sheet Pan Pizza or Pizza Oven Dough*
  • For dusting, use semolina flour (or cornmeal).

Use 1/3 cup of pizza sauce to top your Pizza.

  • 1 small garlic clove (1/2 medium)
  • Fifteen ounces of Crushed Fire Roasted Tomatoes (or high-quality organic canned tomatoes).
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano
  • Scant 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pizza dough. Use the Best Pizza dough or Thin Crust Pizza dough recipes to make the dough. This takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes for rest. You can also use any of these alternate dough methods. *
  2. Preheat the oven to 500°F. OR Preheat your pizza oven (here’s the pizza oven).
  3. Prepare the pizza sauce. Peel the garlic and chop it into small pieces. Blend the garlic, fire-roasted tomatoes, olive oil and kosher salt in a blender. Blend the ingredients until well combined. You will need about 1/3 cup of the sauce to make the Pizza. Keep the rest in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  4. Make sure to prepare the dough. Dust the oven once it is done. Pizza peel With cornmeal or semolina. You can also use a rimless baking pan or the back of one rimmed baking sheet if you don’t own a pizza peel. A pizza peel is worth it!
    1. Make the best pizza dough by stretching the dough: To make the best pizza dough recipe, dust the top with flour and place the dough on lightly floured surfaces. You can gently press the dough to form a circle using your fingers. If it becomes too sticky, you can flip the dough several times. When making an 8-inch circle, take the dough out and drape it between your hands. Slowly turn it around so gravity can stretch it to a diameter of 11 inches. If the dough resists stretching, you can put it down and let it rest for a while. It will then stretch more easily. Continue to repeat step 3 until you reach an 11-inch circle. For step-by-step photos, see How To Stretch Pizza Dough.
    2. Roll out the dough (Thin Crust Pizza Dough). If making Thin Crust Dough: Place it on a lightly floured work surface. Press it into a circular shape, adding flour if necessary. Roll out the dough to a rectangle measuring 11 inches in diameter. Ensure you have enough flour on both sides to prevent it from sticking. If the dough resists rolling, let it rest for a few minutes. The dough will then roll out easier.
  5. Use 1/3 cup of the pizza sauce to spread a thin layer over the dough. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and, if desired, goat cheese or another type of cheese on top. Add a thin layer of fresh grated Parmesan cheese and a few kosher salt drops.
  6. Transfer the Pizza to the pizza stone using the pizza peel. Bake, the Pizza for 5 to 7 minutes or until the crust and cheese, are well browned.
  7. Let the Pizza cool down for a few minutes before adding the basil leaves (whole leaves or lightly torn or thinly sliced). Cut into small pieces and serve immediately.

Notes

The Cast Iron Pizza and Sheet Pan Pizza are simpler but require more time. You will need a large skillet or sheet pan 13×18 inches in size. The same toppings can be used as above. Sheet Pan Pizza has baking and dough instructions. Pizza Oven Dough is the best option if you are making Pizza outside.