Best Homemade Pizza Recipes
Skip the delivery and make restaurant-quality pizza at home. From classic Margherita to creative toppings, these are the best homemade pizza recipes.
Admin User
March 13, 2026
There's something magical about making pizza at home. The smell of dough rising, the sizzle of cheese melting, the satisfaction of pulling a golden, bubbly pizza from your oven. And honestly? Homemade pizza can be better than delivery once you nail the basics.
The Perfect Pizza Dough
Every great pizza starts with great dough. Here are the fundamentals:
Basic Pizza Dough (Makes 2 pizzas)
- 500g strong bread flour
- 7g instant yeast
- 10g salt
- 325ml warm water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Mix, knead for 10 minutes, let rise for 1-2 hours. That's it. The longer the rise, the better the flavor — for the best results, make the dough the day before and let it slow-rise in the fridge.
Pro tip: High heat is the secret to great pizza. Preheat your oven to its maximum temperature (usually 250°C/480°F) with a baking stone or upturned baking tray inside.
Classic Pizza Recipes
Pizza Express Margherita
The Margherita is pizza in its purest form: a thin, crispy base topped with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. When each ingredient is perfect, you don't need anything else. This recipe recreates the famous Pizza Express version at home.
Matambre a la Pizza (Argentine Pizza)
Argentina's unique take on pizza: thin-sliced beef (matambre) topped with pizza toppings and baked. It's a carnivore's dream — crispy meat base instead of dough, loaded with mozzarella and tomato sauce. Absolutely incredible.
Cassava Pizza (Venezuelan)
A gluten-free pizza with a cassava (yuca) base. Crispy, slightly chewy, and naturally gluten-free. Topped with pulled pork and cheese — this Venezuelan street food is a revelation.
Complementary Breads & Doughs
Great pizza needs great bread skills:
- Griddled Flatbreads — Quick stovetop flatbreads that can double as pizza bases in a pinch. Ready in minutes.
- Syrian Bread — Pillowy, soft, and perfect for personal pizza bases.
- Shawarma Bread — Wrap-style bread that works great for pizza roll-ups.
Pizza-Adjacent Favorites
Not quite pizza, but just as delicious:
- Chickpea Fajitas — Similar build concept: flatbread + toppings + cheese.
- Crock Pot Chicken Baked Tacos — The baked cheese crisp has pizza vibes.
- Flamiche — A French leek tart that's basically a sophisticated white pizza.
- Spring Onion and Prawn Empanadas — Stuffed dough pockets — pizza's hand-held cousin.
Creative Pizza Topping Combinations
Move beyond pepperoni with these flavor combos:
| Pizza Name | Toppings | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Feta, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion | Tangy & salty |
| Thai Chicken | Peanut sauce base, chicken, bean sprouts, cilantro | Sweet & nutty |
| BBQ Pulled Pork | BBQ sauce, pulled pork, red onion, jalapeños | Smoky & spicy |
| Breakfast Pizza | Cream cheese base, bacon, eggs, scallions | Savory & rich |
| Fig & Prosciutto | Fig jam, prosciutto, arugula, goat cheese | Sweet & peppery |
| Mushroom Truffle | White sauce, mixed mushrooms, truffle oil, thyme | Earthy & luxurious |
Pizza Making Tips
- Don't overload toppings — less is more with pizza
- Stretch, don't roll — rolling compresses the air bubbles
- Use a pizza peel or parchment paper for easy transfer
- Pre-cook wet toppings — mushrooms, peppers, and onions release water
- Let dough come to room temperature before stretching
- Invest in a pizza stone — it makes a massive difference
- Flash under the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes for a blistered, charred crust
Pizza Around the World
- Italy — Neapolitan: thin center, puffy cornicione
- USA — New York style: large, foldable, thin crust
- Japan — Mayo and corn are popular toppings
- Argentina — Thick dough, tons of cheese (fugazza)
- Turkey — Lahmacun: ultra-thin with spiced meat
External Resources
- The Pizza Bible (YouTube) — Video tutorials
- Flour Types for Pizza — King Arthur Baking
Conclusion
Making pizza at home is one of the most rewarding cooking skills you can learn. Start with a simple Margherita, master your dough, and then experiment with creative toppings. Friday pizza night will never be the same.
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