Many days of the week we have an unexpected number teens pop over at the house after school or sports..we are walking distance from the High School my son attends. Sometimes they are here for only little while and sometimes they stay until 9:00 at night. Often times I’ll whip up this Easy Basic Homemade Italian Pizza Dough Recipe. From this recipe I can make any kind of Pizza recipes I want!
Whether I make up a pizza with Red Sauce ~ recipe below ~ or a Garlic White Sauce, this basic Italian Pizza Dough is the BEST!
So how can I afford to do that? How can I be prepared to feed this small army? I’ll tell you what I do…
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Super Easy Basic Homemade Italian Pizza Dough Recipe!
Last night was one of those nights that my son came home bringing a bunch of friends. I had not prepared a big dinner because I had no idea they were coming..but I was prepared. I had plenty of fixings to make homemade Pizza! It is sooo easy and I ALWAYS have these ingredients on hand! You can even prepare these pizza’s ahead of time and freeze.
All you need for two pizza’s is:
- 2 Cups warm water
- 2 T brown sugar
- 2 T yeast
Whisk together and let the yeast proof..this means you let it sit and get foamy/bubbly (about 10 minutes)
Then add:
- 2 T olive oil
- 1 1/2 t salt
- 5 Cups flour ( you can use any kind of flour) If you use wheat..be sure and mix only 1/2 wheat with 1/2 white or it will be too dry.
Mix thoroughly and then knead for 5 minutes, after kneading, put back into bowl and cover with a cloth, let rise for about an hour. When done, split dough in half and roll out 2 pizzas.
You can use canned spaghetti sauce on top of pizza.. add Mozzarella cheese and then anything else you want. OR If you would like to make your own sauce here is my deelish recipe:
Red Pizza Sauce
- 1 small can tomato sauce
- 1 t olive oil
- 1 t oregano
- 1 t basil
- 1 t salt..I don’t use hardly any of this
- 1/8 to 1/4 cayenne pepper
- 1/2 t. garlic powder
This is really deelish sauce..but like I said sometimes I’m lazy
By the way…you don’t have to make your pizza perfectly round..it takes the fun out of cooking.
Do you know how to make bread dough? Are you intimidated by the term “knead” your dough? If so..leave a comment..ask questions and let’s take the mystery out of this time saving, money saving idea!
Tired of the same ol tomato sauce Pizza? You will love this Super Simple Garlic Pizza Recipe!
Or Maybe you would be interested in what else you can make with this deeelish Pizza Dough
Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Pizza turned out and what else you made with the dough!
If you are wondering what kitchen tools might me helpful for making pizza, these are my all time faves:
- 2 Cups warm water
- 2 T brown sugar
- 2 T yeast
- 2 T olive oil
- 1 1/2 t salt
- 5 Cups flour you can use any kind of flour If you use wheat..be sure and mix only 1/2 wheat with 1/2 white or it will be too dry.
- Mix thoroughly and then knead for 5 minutes, after kneading, put back into bowl and cover with a cloth, let rise for about an hour. When done, split dough in half and roll out 2 pizzas
For Homemade Red Sauce: 1 small can tomato sauce 1 t olive oil 1 t oregano 1 t basil 1 t salt..I don’t use hardly any of this 1/8 to 1/4 cayenne pepper 1/2 t. garlic powder
Sandy Keith says
Our house was always like that too. We had but two kids, but that isn’t how many hung out at our place. I was always glad to have the extras. From the time the kids were small, I’d much rather have had them at our house than someone’s whose parents I didn’t know.
shari says
Hi Sandy! Yes I would totally rather have the kids at our house..I feel blessed that the Lord recently moved us right by the High School. Thank you so much for stopping by! You are one busy lady and a great example to me 🙂 Blessings!
Debbie says
Thank you Shari!! It sounds like a great recipe! I can’t wait to try it!!
shari says
And sooo easy Debbie! Hope you enjoy..and thanks so much for stopping by!
Blessings!
Mellissa Hanks says
mmm that looks so good. I can’t wait to make this.
shari says
Hi Mellissa! Thanks for stopping by! This is soooo easy to make..I hope you enjoy!
Blessings!
Katherine says
Thanks for sharing Shari! I found your blog through the Saved by Grace Blog Hop. As a working Mom, I don’t do a great job of cooking but I’m trying to start! I just started a cooking challenge for myself, so I’m sure your blog will help me to find easy and delicious recipes to make for my family!
shari says
Hi Katherine! I’m so glad you “hopped” over from the Saved By Grace Blog Hop!! It’s so hard when you are a working Mom to have the energy every night to fix a healthy meal..I know..I did it for YEARS 🙂 I have some great Chicken and Ground Beef freezer meals you could try that are REALLY EASY! I hope these help and look forward to seeing you around! Blessings!
JDaniel4's Mom says
This really looks delicious! Yum!
shari says
Hi JDaniel4’s Mom! It is deelish and sooo easy! Hope you will try it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Danielle @ Royalegacy says
This looks great. I pinned it to share and save. Thanks!
shari says
Yay! Thanks Danielle! You’ll love it..and it’s so easy 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Trisha G. says
Yum! Looks delicious! I think I might just have to try this recipe 😉
shari says
It is deelish Trish! Hope you give it a go! Let me know if you do and how you like it. Thanks for stopping by! Blessings to you!
Kecia says
Oh wow, now I want some pizza! I have never made bread, but I want to try to someday.
shari says
Hi Kecia! I hope you will try it..because it really is soooo easy! It’s not as mysterious as it seems..all this breadmaking stuff 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Kristen Jeffery says
That sounds and looks amazing!
shari says
It’s deeelish Kristen! AND easy! Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Danielle Meek says
That looks delicious!
shari says
It is and sooo easy Danielle! I hope you will try it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Blessings to you!
Dawn says
Do you deliver? Just kidding 🙂 It looks so good and of course I am already hungry so now I am craving pizza. I have never made pizza with homemade crust before, I will have to try this! Thank you for sharing.
shari says
It really is soooo easy Dawn..I hope you will try it! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Erika @Musings From a Stay At Home Mom says
This looks great! I stumbled & pinned it! Thanks for sharing!
shari says
Thanks so much Erika!!
Blessings!
Tara @ secretsofamomaholic.com says
Looks yummy! Pizza is my favorite! I tried making it at home- but being a New Yorker- it never lives up to the pizzaria around the corner!
shari says
Yes I think some of those pizzaria’s have their secret ingredients! LOL..but this is pretty close and you can do some experimenting with it too. Hope you will try it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Marie says
Love it: “Give up on making your pizza perfectly round” lol When my son was younger, we used to make pizza often and it always came out an octagon shape.
shari says
For sure Marie! Who cares as long as it tastes good right!? Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Ginny Marie says
Oh, this looks so good! I usually use Jiffy pizza crust mix, because it’s so fast. But I’ve always wanted to make the dough from scratch! It’s interesting that you use brown sugar. I’ve never tried that. Does it tasted different from using white?
shari says
Hi Ginny! Yay for those Jiffy mixes..I use them for lot’s of things too 🙂 I hope you’ll try the dough sometime though..it’s so easy!! Sunday I will have some other suggestions on how to use the dough that I think you and your family will like…especially the girls 🙂 Brown sugar is just a tiny bit more healthy..only because of the molasses in it 🙂 White sugar is a bit more sweet and more refined.
DM Donna says
Now that’s a good recipe. I bake breads and have made homemade pizzas before. The family does enjoy them. What I like about them, is you can put whatever toppings you want on them and you know it’s healthier than ordering one in.
shari says
Mmmm I love homemade bread too DM..the problem is that I love to eat it just as much LOL! It is much healthier to make your own for sure. Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
Beth Ann says
Hi there! I just stumbled upon your site by looking for homemade hot pockets; my kids know I don’t buy them and keep begging for me to find out how to make them. 🙂
Anywhoo, your pizza dough recipe says to use half and half, wheat and white. If I’m using white whole wheat flour would I still need to mix wheat and white? (I’m terribly uniformed on what all this means, and just thought I’d ask you!)
Thanks for any help!
Shari Lynne says
Hi Beth Ann! So happy you stumbled by! 🙂 No you wouldn’t need to mix half and half 🙂 Especially since you are used to using a white whole wheat flour anyway. Hope this helps and hope your kids LOVE the hot pockets..mine do..AND you can put anything in them you like 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and blessings to you and your kiddos!
Kathleen says
What temp and how long? We’re gonna try 400 and start checking after ten minutes. My 13 yrs old son is making this and we’re about to toss it in the oven. He was in heaven smelling the dough!!’
Shari Lynne says
Hi Kathleen! Perfect temp and timing…unless you like a crispier crust then up the temp to 425 🙂 Yay for your son..and you of course since you get to eat his creation! 🙂 Blessings!!
Kathleen says
We did 400 for 15 min and it was scrumpdiddlyumpcious!!!
Shari Lynne says
Yay! So happy you LOVED it 🙂 It will be a must in your meal planning now! LOL for some other ideas of what to do with that deelish dough you can go here and make some more yummy stuff that your son will also LOVE! Many blessings Kathleen and thank for letting my know the results of your pizza adventure! You blessed my day! 🙂
Carrie says
Hi Sheri, This looks wondreful! I am into freezing meals for easier dinners. Would you put this in the oven frozen or let it thaw first? Thank you.
Shari Lynne says
Hi Carrie! You could do it either way 🙂 Just cook a little longer for frozen..I LOVE freezer meals too!! Thanks so much for stopping by.
Blessings to you!
Tammy says
HI Shari, I’ve never tried homemade pizza crust. This looks yummy, I will have to give it a try. Thanks 🙂
Shari Lynne says
And it’s soooo easy too Tammy 🙂 BLessings!
Annette P says
My dough is rising as I write this 😉 I found you google-ing homemade hot pockets. Great recipe! I am going to fill mine with chicken, bacon, cheddar and low fat ranch. I also used agave nectar in my dough and half whole wheat flour. Thanks for posting this recipe!
Shari Lynne says
Yum, Yum, Yum Annette…that sounds like a deeelish combination! Feel free to share the recipe to hearts content! Thanks so much for stopping by and blessings to you!
Susan Sims says
I can’t wait to try the hot pockets with homemade pizza dough! I make homemade bread, homemade cinnamon rolls and homemade coffee bread (same recipe for the last 2 just fix differently at the end! Family recipe! And it takes ALL day- but so worth it!). Do you cook your pizza sauce or just mix it up and pour? On regular bread I knead till it isn’t sticky and can pat it like a baby’s bottom (trick grandma taught me). Do you do the same with pizza dough?! God bless you and I love your site!
Shari Lynne says
Hi Susan..thank you so much for all of your sweet messages! Well let’s see..for my hot pockets I use the same pizza dough and it doesn’t take long at all. Mix up the dough, let it rise and then that’s it..ready to roll!
As far as spanking it…LOL
I have heard of this many times..but I don’t actually do that. I think probably because I wouldn’t actually spank a baby’s behind. LOL But it is definitely the old fashion term 🙂 And yes I know that they wouldn’t spank a baby either LOL I can tell it’s ready when it doesn’t stick to the counter.
Sometimes I will put the pizza sauce into the microwave and heat it for about 1 minute..just enough to mix the flavors together..then I let it sit while my dough is rising..YUM it makes a great sauce 🙂 If I forget the sauce until the last minute..I still heat it for a minute and it’s still good 🙂
Enjoy the Pizza and Hot Pockets! And thank you sooo much for stopping by and blessing me!
saraj says
I don’t have olive oil on hand (today) do you think vegetable oil would taste ok?
Tony says
Thank You Shari for sharing your ideas with us! God Bless You!
Shari Lynne says
Awww you are so welcome Tony! Thank YOU for stopping by and taking the time to comment! Have a blessed rest of the week!
Kate says
Looks easy and tasty! My mouth starts watering when I look at the photos of your pizza =) Thanks for the recipe!
Brianna Nash says
How big is a “small can” of tomato sauce? 8oz or 16 oz?
Shari Lynne says
Hi Brianna! Thank you for asking and good point for sure 🙂 It would be the small 8oz can. I’ll have to fix that in the recipe. Thanks for stopping by and blessings to you!
Robin says
Hi! Can’t wait to make these…we usually have boys over after church on Sundays…and this would be perfect for them!!!
Shari Lynne says
Yay! These are perfect for an after church lunch. What’s even more fun is to let the boys make their own pizza (roll out and top) Enjoy Robin and thank you for stopping by!