Simple pizza recipe

This simple pizza recipe is perfect for anyone who wants homemade pizza with a crisp golden crust, rich tomato sauce, and bubbling melted cheese without complicated steps. The dough is soft on the inside with lightly crisp edges, while the topping combination delivers classic comforting flavour in every bite. It is an easy beginner-friendly recipe that works beautifully for family dinners, weekend cooking, or casual gatherings. From start to finish, this homemade pizza takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes including dough rising time.

What Is Simple Pizza and How Does It Taste?

Simple pizza is a classic homemade yeast dough pizza topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favourite toppings. The crust bakes into a beautifully balanced texture with a crisp bottom and soft chewy centre. The tomato sauce brings a rich savoury flavour while melted mozzarella creates that irresistible stretchy finish.

This recipe keeps everything approachable and beginner-friendly while still delivering authentic homemade pizza flavour. It is versatile, easy to customise, and far more satisfying than takeaway pizza.

Simple Pizza Recipe Ingredients

For the Pizza Dough

• 500g strong bread flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 7g fast-action dried yeast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 325ml warm water

For the Pizza Sauce

• 200ml passata
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Topping

• 250g mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small green pepper, sliced
• 12 pepperoni slices
• Extra oregano for sprinkling
• Olive oil for brushing

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Rising Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Servings: 4 pizzas slices portions

How to Make Simple Pizza Recipe

• Prepare the dough: Add the bread flour, salt, sugar, and dried yeast to a large mixing bowl. Stir everything together evenly. Pour in the olive oil and warm water, then mix until a soft dough forms.
• Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and soft. If the dough feels sticky, add a small dusting of flour.
• Leave the dough to rise: Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean tea towel. Leave it in a warm place for about 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
• Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the passata, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir until fully mixed.
• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 220°C or 200°C fan. Place a baking tray or pizza stone inside the oven while it heats so the base becomes crisp during baking.
• Shape the pizza: Punch down the risen dough and place it onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or stretch it into a large round pizza shape around 30cm wide.
• Add the toppings: Transfer the dough onto baking parchment. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the base, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle over the mozzarella cheese, then add onion slices, green pepper, and pepperoni.
• Bake the pizza: Carefully slide the pizza onto the hot tray or pizza stone. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
• Finish and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and leave it to cool for 2 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle with extra oregano and serve warm.

Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza

Why is my pizza dough too sticky?

Pizza dough should feel soft but manageable. If it sticks heavily to your hands, add a little extra flour during kneading, but avoid adding too much or the crust may become dry.

How do I make the crust crispier?

Preheating the baking tray or pizza stone makes a huge difference. A hot surface helps the bottom cook quickly and creates a crisp golden crust.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the dough the night before and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Allow it to come back to room temperature before shaping.

What cheese works best for homemade pizza?

Mozzarella gives the best melt and stretch. You can also mix it with cheddar or parmesan for extra flavour.

How do I stop the pizza becoming soggy?

Use a moderate amount of sauce and avoid overly wet toppings. Preheating the tray also helps prevent a soft base.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with garlic bread and fresh salad
• Pair with homemade coleslaw
• Add chilli flakes for extra heat
• Enjoy with roasted vegetables
• Serve with dipping sauces like garlic mayo or ranch

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature

Pizza can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours before refrigeration is needed.

Refrigerator

Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.

Freezing

Wrap individual pizza slices tightly in cling film and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a hot oven until heated through.

Nutrition Information

• Calories: 420 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Protein: 18g
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Sodium: 760mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs

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Simple Pizza Recipe
Recipe by Milli RoseCourse: Main CourseCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings
4
servings
Prep time
30
minutes
Cooking time
40
minutes
Calories
300
kcal
Total time
1
hour 
10
minutes
Easy homemade pizza with a crisp crust, rich tomato sauce, bubbling mozzarella, and classic toppings. Perfect for beginners and family dinners.
Ingredients
500g strong bread flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp caster sugar
7g fast-action dried yeast
2 tbsp olive oil
325ml warm water
200ml passata
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
250g mozzarella cheese, grated
1 small red onion, sliced
1 small green pepper, sliced
12 pepperoni slices
Extra oregano
Olive oil for brushing
Baking parchment
Directions
Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a bowl.
Add olive oil and warm water and mix into a soft dough.
Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and leave to rise until doubled.
Mix passata, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to make the sauce.
Preheat oven to 220°C and heat a baking tray or pizza stone.
Shape the dough into a pizza base and spread with sauce.
Add mozzarella, onion, peppers, and pepperoni.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.

					
Notes
					
Preheat the tray for a crispier base.
Do not overload with toppings.
Pizza dough can be frozen for up to 2 months.