I’m going to admit something… I never made a homemade pizza until I was a mom! I’m sure I made them growing up, but as an adult, we always ordered. Now, I love making them ourselves, because the girls love to put them together with us. Plus, you can customize them completely for your cravings.
*** Using store-bought dough or pre-made crust keeps it simple! If you do wish to make your own dough, see below the recipe for instructions.
Ingredients:
Base:
- 1 lb store-bought pizza dough or 1 pre-made pizza crust
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara
Toppings:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or dairy-free cheese for a vegan option)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup sliced bell peppers (any color you like)
- 1 zucchini, (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup cooked protein of choice (grilled chicken, turkey sausage)
- Optional to add pinapple or some of your favorite pizza toppings
Optional Add-Ons:
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp red chili flakes or Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). If using pizza dough, roll it out to fit your sheet pan or pizza stone.
- Prepare the Base:
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough or pre-made crust.
- Add Cheese & Toppings:
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the sauce.
- Arrange the cherry tomatoes, spinach, red onion, bell peppers, and zucchini over the cheese.
- Add your cooked protein
- Bake the Pizza:
- Transfer the pizza to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown
- Finish & Serve:
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, chili flakes, or Italian seasoning as desired.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and slice into portions. Enjoy!
Grocery List
Produce:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Baby spinach
- 1 Red onion
- 1 Bell pepper
- 1 zucchini
- Fresh basil
Dairy:
- Shredded mozzarella
- Optional: grated Parmesan
Pantry:
- 1 lb pizza dough or 1 pizza crust
- Pizza sauce
- Red chili flakes or Italian seasoning
Protein Options:
- Grilled chicken
- Turkey sausage
- Plant-based protein like chickpeas or tofu
OPTIONAL MAKE YOUR OWN DOUGH
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose or bread flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F or 45°C)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Benefits of Making Your Own Dough
- Quality Control: Use whole grain flours or organic ingredients if preferred.
- Lower Sodium: Store-bought doughs often have added preservatives and excess salt.
- Budget-Friendly: Basic ingredients are much cheaper than pre-made doughs.
- Versatility: Adjust the thickness, flavor (add garlic or herbs), and size as you like.
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This step ensures the yeast is active.
- Mix the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Make a well in the center, pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil, and stir with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour, a tablespoon at a time.
- Let it Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Dough:
- Punch down the dough and divide it into two portions for two medium pizzas or one large pizza. Roll it out to your desired thickness and shape.
- Bake:
- Add your favorite toppings and bake at 475°F (245°C) for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden
Grocery List for Dough
- All-purpose or bread flour
- Active dry yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Olive oil
Have a fun pizza night!
