Whether you prefer yours Pizza thick or thin, simple or lavish, child-friendly or a bit more grown-up, we have a recipe for you. And if you’re wondering if you really need a pizza stone before you give up your takeout habit, we can answer that question for you too.
Have you ever noticed that even the worst of days can be made a little bit better with a big slice of pizza? (I wonder if that’s why our high school always served pizza — and blondies — on Fridays when report cards were handed out. Hmmm.)
Regardless, ask any kid and they’ll tell you: Pizza = Happiness. It’s so loved by everyone that the USDA should make pizza the foundation of the food pyramid. What other foods can subtract meat, vegetables, and even fruit?
But this popular food is not without controversy. Thick or thin crust? (Thin, of course.) White or red sauce? (Either.) Pineapple? (Bite your tongue!) Mussels? (Sure.) But my favorite: Is Deep Dish actually pizza, or just an identity crisis casserole?
Whatever you think of this humble dish, originally from Naples, Italy, we’ve got a version for you.
This New York-style pizza is the famous Real Deal with its homemade dough that yields a thin and crispy crust, a quick homemade tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Topping optional. Here’s how to make it at home.
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After trying several recipes using homemade and store-bought dough, and paying for a few online courses, I found this and gave it a try. It’s the ONLY thing that came out the way I expected and wanted.
I’m a born and raised Brooklynite so I know how pizza is supposed to be in New York and this is it. I’ve only tried it once and the recipe worked exactly as it says. The batter and sauce were perfect.– Robert K
As longtime fans of the bubbly, thin crust of wood-fired pizza, we never thought we’d have room in our hearts to love bold pies, too. But then we fell for Detroit-style pizza — and we fell hard. While it’s traditionally rectangular, we created a skillet version to bring this chewy, cheese-laden, focaccia-like base within reach for home preparation.
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We’ve done that several times now. It is excellent! my husband loves it It’s worth the time and effort. It’s now one of my specialties!-Dusk
My grandmother didn’t like sauce and always ordered white pizza – before fancy white slices were en vogue. This white cake with a dollop of ricotta is an ode to her.
Recipe
Although fairly simple with no more than five ingredients, this white pizza recipe combines everything perfectly to create a delicate dish that is undoubtedly one of the most famous pizzas in the world. The softness of the mozzarella with the depth of the ricotta gives the recipe a great flavor that wouldn’t be the same without the ricotta. Salt also keeps it from becoming an oversimplified dish.
However, as suggested, the pizza turns out better with some garlic and a few basil leaves sprinkled on top, so I wouldn’t hesitate to include those ingredients.–Cinto F.
This mushroom pizza with ricotta is topped with sautéed mushrooms and three cheeses. Thanks to quick homemade pizza dough, this weeknight veggie pie is a reality.
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Mushrooms and shallots are a classic combination that works beautifully on pizza, especially with mozzarella and ricotta! And thyme and oregano give you just the right spice (pepper flakes shouldn’t be missing from the meal, of course!).
If you’re a lover of homemade pizza, it might be worth getting a pizza peel to slide a pie onto the stone. Quick and easy (with help for some cornmeal). They’re pretty inexpensive.– Gregory C.
Featuring tomato sauce meatballs, mozzarella and the surprise element of beef and sausage meatballs stacked on top of pizza dough, this pizza takes homemade pizza to a whole new and enjoyable level.
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Spooned onto a magherita or other type of cake, this sauce does exactly what it’s supposed to do, adding the pure flavors of tomato without overpowering the integrity of the cake itself.
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For this Rosemary Onion Pizza, the dough is spread with ricotta cheese and topped with caramelized onions, garlic, parmesan and rosemary and baked until bubbly and golden brown. An inspired riff on white pizza that’s ideal as an appetizer or just for dinner.
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This recipe was amazing! I ended up grilling the pizza and adding chicken and artichoke hearts.– Andrea
This pepperoni skillet pizza is made from scratch with a simple but premium tomato sauce, two types of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, pepperoni, and either store-bought or homemade dough. This thick-crusted beauty, lavished with everyone’s favorite topping and three cheeses, means you can erase your nearest pizza delivery location from your contacts and forget you’ve ever craved anything else.
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This is a great pan pizza recipe! I made it this week and substituted Italian sausage for the pepperoni along with sautéed mushrooms. It’s super quick to assemble (I used Whole Foods frozen pizza dough) and there will be enough sauce for three more pizzas.
It was just as good reheated the next day for lunch. I know it will be a regular on the pizza night menu at this establishment.-Donna
My friend Cameron, whose family is from Calabria, loved to talk about his trips there when it was drizzling olive santo (literally “holy oil”, Calabrian chili oil) over everything. I like to think of him back in his ancestral home, reveling in the region’s love of heat, then returning to spread the gospel of spices in New Jersey. A nod to Calabria’s love of pork, the raw sausage cooks beautifully as it bakes, its caramelized exterior giving way to a soft pink center.
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Frequently asked questions about homemade pizza
What is the best temperature to bake pizza at?
The hotter the better! Most pizza recipes call for a temperature of around 500°F, which is about as hot as many ovens can reach. If you can get your oven temp a little higher, do it.
How long does it take to bake pizza at home?
That depends on the temperature of your oven. If you cook at a temperature of 500°F or higher or grill the pizza, it can be ready in as little as 8 minutes. At a temperature of 450°F or with a thicker crust, it may take 10 to 15 minutes.
What is the most popular type of pizza?
Pepperoni pizza is generally a crowd-pleaser, but if you’re making pizza for a group, offer a few different flavors. White pizza is a great vegetarian choice, and plain cheese pizza is always a good choice for kids.
As you can see from the list above, there is no wrong answer when it comes to pizza toppings. Be sure to start with good pizza dough and sauce, then get creative and let us know your favorite combinations in a comment below.
Looking for even more inspiration? Check out our entire collection of pizza recipes.
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