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This easy homemade pizza recipe is a Friday night favorite! I have included the recipes for pizza dough and a very delicious homemade pizza sauce. You can load this homemade pizza dough with your best loved toppings to make the pizza your families' unique flavor favorite!
History
People have been eating different versions of pizza for centuries. The word pizza was used as early as the 10th century in Italy. Apparently, flatbread with toppings was eaten by ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. "Pizza" was first invented as an economical, fast and delicious meal for working people in Italy, but the actual eating of flatbread with toppings started much earlier than when the word pizza was invented. It is thought that the eating of pizza actually goes back to ancient times in the middle East.For more fascinating reading about who invented pizza, read: History, Who Invented Pizza.
Why Would You Make Homemade Pizza?
Homemade pizza is so scrumptious! There is just something so unique about homemade pizza flavors that you can't get at any big pizza chain restaurants. Another amazing point about making pizza at home is that you can use whatever you have on hand for toppings. If you have leftover chicken, you could make a creamy garlic alfredo sauce. Or you could create a barbecue sauce base with chicken. Pizza doen't have to just have the traditional pepperoni on it. (although this is my families favorite)You can make use of pretty much any kind of meat. The pizza dough recipe is also customizable and super easy. The cheese can also be switched around if you don't have mozzarella. Of course with a Cheddar, there will be a lot more grease...
Our family does have our favorite pizza take out place just like everyone else. The tomato based homemade pizza sauce in this recipe is a sort of copycat version, only better than that well known pizza joints sauce. The pizza dough recipe is just a basic pizza crust recipe that I have used for years. I split the pizza dough into 4 thin crust pizzas, but if you like thick crust you can make it into 3 pizzas. In our family, the majority are meat lovers but we do enjoy a veggie or hawaiian pizza at times. Pizza is really so changeable, you can put almost anything on for toppings.
Ingredients for Homemade Pizza Recipe
For Dough
- Flour
- Active Dry Yeast
- Baking Powder
- Sugar
- Salt
- Warm Water
- Cooking Oil
For Sauce
- Tomato Paste:
- Water:
- Oregano:
- Basil:
- Garlic Salt:
- Pepper:
- Sugar:
- Onion Powder:
Pizza Toppings
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds intense salty cheesy flavor
- Mozzarella Cheese: The traditional pizza cheese, not too greasy, browns nicely.
- Pepperoni:We buy huge bags at a wholesale grocery store and store in the freezer.
- Bacon Flavored Pork Bits:This is also bought at a wholesale grocery store but you can use bacon bits or real bacon if it is hard to find.
Variations for Homemade Pizza Recipe
- Veggie Pizza: I love fresh tomato slices, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and zuchinni. Of course any of your favorite vegetables can be added.
- Hawaiian: Thinly sliced ham, plenty of pineapple and bacon!
- Canadian: Ground beef, bacon, and mushrooms.
- Meat lovers: Pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham.
- Greek: Tomatoes, spinach, and feta crumbles.
- Chicken Alfredo: Creamy garlic alfredo sauce with slices of cooked chicken.
- Barbecue chicken: Homemade Smoky Barbecue Sauce, cooked chicken, cheddar cheese
How to Make Homemade Pizza Recipe
1.Make the sauce and let it simmer. Then cool a bit before spreading on the crust.
2.Make the dough, seperate into 4 equal size balls. Roll out thin and place on the greased pizza pans. You can let it rise for 30-45 minutes if you want a thicker crust. We prefer thin crust so skip the rising step.
3.Add sauce first, then sprinkle with parmesan.
Place the cheese on the parmesan, then whatever toppings you choose.
What to Eat With Homemade Pizza Recipe