Homemade Cheese Pizza

Name: Homemade Cheese Pizza
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups Water; 2 tablespoons Sugar; 1 tablespoon Active dry yeast; 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil; 3 cups Bread flour; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 cup Ragu red pasta sauce; 2 cups Mozzarella cheese

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Simple and delicious homemade classic cheese pizza and Thai chicken pizza are great for kid’s movie night, gathering, party, lunch and dinner. Also, this traditional and classic homemade cheese pizza recipe has a few simple ingredients. Let’s learn how to make easy and tasty homemade cheese pizza with step by step photo instructions and a video!

Love baking? Check out these garlic cheesy breadsticks, rosemary garlic bread, dinner rolls, ciabatta, Chinese hot dog, banana muffins, strawberry muffins and Japanese milk bread rolls recipes.

Homemade cheese pizza on the plate with a blue towel on the side

What is traditional cheese pizza?

Pizza is a savory Italian cuisine. Nowadays, it is a popular food in the United States and throughout the world. Normally, pizza is topped with olives, meats, bell peppers, herbs and cheese. Pretty much whatever toppings you like.

The most common and popular pizza in the states is traditional and classic cheese pizza. People love cheese pizza because of its simplicity and the delightful combination of a perfectly stretched dough that crisps at the edges. Then, a layer of vibrant tomato sauce that bursts with the essence of ripe tomatoes and aromatic herbs. Topped with a generous blanket of creamy, melted mozzarella cheese.

Each bite is a harmonious symphony of textures and flavors. The soft cheese seamlessly melds into the tangy sauce while the crust provides a satisfying crunch. This timeless creation is a comfort staple food and many people love this classic cheese pizza for their meals, lunch, dinner, parties and pizza night.

My family loves pizza! They can eat pizza every day without any complaints. Traditional homemade cheese pizza and Thai chicken pizza are my kids favorite. We like to make our homemade pizza for pizza night or weekend. Also, it is a great activity for kids. They have fun making their own personal pizza.

What are the ingredients for classic cheese pizza?

For this homemade cheese pizza recipe, the ingredients are flour, water, sugar, yeast, salt, oil, red pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Homemade pizza dough:

We like to make our pizza with homemade pizza dough because it is easy and we can make a bigger batch if we want to feed more people. The ingredients can be as simple as flour, water, sugar, yeast, salt and oil.

Personally, I like to use bread flour. It is because bread flour typically contains more protein than all purpose flour. The higher protein content, usually around 12-14%, is crucial because it creates a stronger and more elastic dough. This elasticity allows the dough to stretch and rise.

Also, it produces a chewy and airy crust because the protein in bread flour, primarily gluten, forms a strong network when combined with water and kneaded. This network gives the dough its structure and traps carbon dioxide produced by the yeast during fermentation. Therefore, it results in a light and airy texture in the final crust. Besides, the higher gluten content makes the dough more extensible. The dough can be stretched and shaped without tearing.

Can homemade pizza dough be refrigerated?

Yes, homemade pizza dough can be refrigerated and it's often a convenient way to prepare the dough in advance if you're not planning to use it immediately. Refrigerating pizza dough allows the flavors in the dough to develop more fully. This can result in a tastier and more complex crust. Also, it's a time-saver if you want to prepare the dough ahead of time.

When you're ready to use the refrigerated dough, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour before shaping and baking. This allows the dough to relax and become more flexible, so it is easier to work with and ensures a better texture when baked.

What kind of pizza sauce do you use?

For a classic cheese pizza, people usually use tomato sauce or red pizza sauce. However, I like to use red pasta sauce in this homemade cheese pizza recipe because it has more flavors. You can use any brand of red pasta sauce. Just make sure to shake well before using it, so it is not too liquid when you pour it out.

a bottle of red ragu traditional flavor pasta sauce

Personally, I like to use Ragu brand because it has a better taste, less sour and the thickness is moderate so that it will not be too runny or too thick. Besides, you can use other sauces such as white sauce or bbq sauce to make other flavors of pizza.

Can I use other pizza toppings?

Sure, you can use other ingredients for pizza toppings. Since this is a cheese pizza recipe, we simply use cheese as a topping. You can check out this Thai chicken pizza if you like other toppings.

What is the best cheese for homemade pizza?

The most commonly used cheese for a traditional cheese pizza is mozzarella cheese. And, I like to use mozzarella cheese for pizza. It is because mozzarella cheese has good meltability, mild flavor and ability to create that perfect gooey, stringy texture when melted.

Also, you can use pre-shredded and blended mozzarella cheese for convenience. For example, some use a combination of mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, romano, ricotta and provolone to add complexity and depth to the cheese topping. Or, you can look for pizza cheese.

Do I need a pizza pan?

You don't necessarily need a pizza pan to make pizza at home. You can use a regular baking sheet or cookie sheet by adding parchment paper or grease the sheet to prevent sticking. Simply shape your pizza dough on the sheet, add sauce and toppings. Then, bake it.

Also, you can use a pizza stone. This is a popular tool for making homemade pizza and I like to use this as well. Preheat the stone in the oven, then slide your shaped pizza onto it. The stone helps distribute heat evenly. This results in a crisp and evenly cooked crust. Or, you can use a cast iron skillet to make deep-dish or pan-style pizza.

How do I store leftovers?

You can put them in a ziplock plastic bag or wrap them with foil. Then, put them in the refrigerator or freeze it. When you are ready to eat them, put them in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute if it is straight out from the refrigerator or air fry it for 350 F for 5 minutes.

Cooking tips for how to make homemade cheese pizza:

My trick to speed up dough rising time, normally I preheat the oven at 200 F. Then, turn off the oven and put the dough covered with a wet cloth in for 30 minutes.
Personally, I prefer to use bread flour because the texture is better and fluffier.
Dust some flour on the surface and put the risen dough.
You can divide the dough into two or make one big pizza.
Or, you stretch and roll the dough into the shape you want.
If you use a pizza stone, preheat the oven with the stone. Then, slide the pizza on the stone and bake it for 12-15 minutes at 420 F.
Pour some red pasta sauce and spread on the dough. After, topping with mozzarella cheese or other cheese you want.

FAQs:

What’s the temperature to bake pizza?

I like to preheat the oven at 420F and bake pizza for 12-15 minutes. However, some preheat the oven at 400F and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Can I use all purpose flour?

Yes, you can. But, using bread flour has better results because the texture is better and fluffier.

Instructions for how to make traditional homemade cheese pizza:

Mixing dough:

1.Put 1 ¼ cups of water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into the Bosch mixer.

2. Turn on the lowest setting #1, let it mix a little bit. Then, turn off and wait for 5 minutes.

flour and salt in the silver bowl top view

3. In the meanwhile, put 3 cups of bread flour and 1 teaspoon of salt into a bowl. Mix it well.

4. After that, turn on the mixer at the lowest setting #1. Then, slowly add the flour mixture from step 3. Next, change the lowest setting #1 to medium/high #3. Let it run for 10 -15 minutes.

Dough rising:

5. After the dough is mixed well, transfer the dough into a bowl and cover it with a damp towel. Let the dough rise for about 45 minutes to an hour at room temperature. (My trick to speed up dough rising time, normally I preheat the oven at 200 F. Then, turn off the oven and put the dough in and cover with a wet cloth for 30 minutes.)

Shaping dough:

6. Dust some flour on the surface, flatten, stretch or roll the dough into a circle shape, so it fits on the circle stone. You can shape into different shapes depending on your tray size and shape.

Sauce:

7. Pour ½-1 cup red Ragù pasta sauce on the dough and spread it evenly.

Topping:

8. Sprinkle 1.5-2 cups mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce and dough.

Baking:

9. If you use a pizza stone, preheat the oven at 420 F with the pizza stone. When the oven temperature reaches 420 F, slide the pizza on the stone and bake it at 12-15 minutes until the cheese melts.

Enjoy this delicious classic homemade cheese pizza recipe! Also, check out these Chinese hot dog, cocktail bun, egg tarts, crispy noodles, corn on the cob, salmon sushi cups and sugar donuts recipes.