13 Homemade Pizza Night Ideas That Beat Delivery Every Single Time
Friday night, everyone is tired, and someone says the magic words: let’s get pizza. But what if the best pizza in town came out of your own oven? Homemade pizza is cheaper than delivery, ready in about the same time, and way more fun when everyone builds their own. Looking for another fun family night? Try our taco night ideas the whole family will love. Preheat that oven..
Homemade Pizza Night Starts With Pepperoni and Margherita
Every pizza night needs the two classics on the table. A pepperoni pie with crispy curled cups of pepperoni and a long cheese pull, and a fresh margherita with bright tomato, creamy mozzarella and basil. Make both on the same dough and let everyone grab their favorite. Homemade pizza tastes best straight from a very hot oven. Quick poll: A) Pepperoni B) Margherita C) Half and half D) Pineapple, and proud of it!
You will need: 1 batch pizza dough (next slide), 1 cup pizza sauce, 3 cups shredded mozzarella, 4 ounces pepperoni, 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced, fresh basil, olive oil, pinch of salt.
How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to its highest setting, 500 to 550 F, with a pizza stone or steel inside for 45 minutes. 2. Stretch two dough balls into 12 inch rounds. 3. Spread sauce on both. 4. Top one with shredded mozzarella and pepperoni and the other with fresh mozzarella. 5. Bake each 7 to 9 minutes, then add basil and olive oil to the margherita.
Homemade Pizza Dough Is Easier Than You Think
Great pizza starts with great dough, and this one needs only five ingredients and no special skills. Make it in the morning and it will be ready by dinner, or make it a day ahead and let it rest in the fridge for even better flavor. Use your fingertips to stretch it, never a rolling pin, to keep the bubbles. Have you ever made dough from scratch?
You will need: 4 cups bread flour, 1 1/2 cups warm water, 2 teaspoons instant yeast, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon sugar.
How to make it: 1. Mix water, yeast and sugar and wait 5 minutes. 2. Add flour, salt and oil and knead 8 to 10 minutes until smooth. 3. Cover and let rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours until doubled. 4. Divide into 3 or 4 balls. 5. Rest 30 minutes, then stretch by hand into rounds.
Neapolitan Style Margherita Pizza
The margherita is the queen of pizzas. Just tomato, mozzarella, basil and olive oil, so every ingredient has to be good. Use canned San Marzano tomatoes crushed by hand with a pinch of salt, and torn fresh mozzarella. A very hot oven gives you a puffy, spotted crust. This is homemade pizza at its purest. Simple or loaded toppings, what is your style?
You will need: 1 dough ball, 1/2 cup crushed San Marzano tomatoes, pinch of salt, 4 ounces fresh mozzarella torn and patted dry, fresh basil leaves, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, grated Parmesan.
How to make it: 1. Heat the oven and stone to the max for 45 minutes. 2. Stretch the dough into a thin round with a puffy edge. 3. Spread a thin layer of salted tomato. 4. Add mozzarella pieces. 5. Bake 6 to 8 minutes and finish with basil, olive oil and Parmesan.
Crispy Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
No pizza stone? Use the cast iron skillet you already own. The hot pan fries the bottom of the crust in olive oil so it turns golden and crunchy, almost like a pan pizza from a famous chain. It is foolproof and perfect for small families or a pizza for one. Would you try pizza in a skillet?
You will need: 1 dough ball, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, fresh mozzarella slices, basil, pinch of oregano.
How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 500 F. 2. Oil a 12 inch cast iron skillet and press the dough to the edges. 3. Cook on the stove over medium heat for 3 minutes until the bottom starts to brown. 4. Add sauce, cheese and oregano. 5. Bake 10 to 12 minutes and top with basil.
Homemade Pizza for a Crowd: Grandma Sheet Pan Pie
Feeding a crowd? Grandma pizza is your answer. The dough is pressed into an oiled sheet pan, topped with cheese first and sauce on top in stripes, then baked until the edges are crispy and lacy. Cut it into squares and everyone can grab a corner. One pan feeds eight. Are you a corner piece person or a middle piece person?
You will need: 1 batch pizza dough, 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 cups shredded mozzarella, 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 cup Parmesan, basil.
How to make it: 1. Oil a sheet pan generously and press the dough to the corners; rest 30 minutes and press again. 2. Mix tomatoes with garlic, oregano and a pinch of salt. 3. Cover the dough with mozzarella. 4. Spoon the sauce in stripes on top. 5. Bake at 475 F for 18 to 22 minutes and sprinkle with Parmesan and basil.
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago deep dish is more like a pizza pie. A buttery, flaky crust holds layers of cheese, sausage and a thick chunky tomato sauce on top. It takes a little longer, but it is a fun weekend project and a real showstopper. You will need a knife and fork for this one. Have you ever been to Chicago for the real thing?
You will need: Dough: 3 cups flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1 packet yeast, 1 1/4 cups warm water, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon salt. Filling: 1 pound sliced mozzarella, 1 pound Italian sausage cooked, 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 cup Parmesan.
How to make it: 1. Mix and knead the dough, rise 1 hour. 2. Press into a buttered 12 inch deep pan, up the sides. 3. Layer mozzarella, then sausage. 4. Spoon over tomatoes mixed with oregano and top with Parmesan. 5. Bake at 425 F for 30 to 35 minutes and rest 10 minutes before slicing.
White Pizza With Spinach and Ricotta
No tomato sauce here. White pizza uses garlic olive oil, creamy ricotta, mozzarella and spinach. It is rich, garlicky and a nice change from red sauce pies. A squeeze of lemon and a pinch of chili flakes at the end make it pop. It is often the pizza people say they did not expect to love. Would you try a pie with no sauce?
You will need: 1 dough ball, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 cup ricotta, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 2 cups baby spinach, 1/4 cup Parmesan, chili flakes, lemon zest, salt.
How to make it: 1. Warm the oil with garlic for 2 minutes. 2. Stretch the dough and brush with the garlic oil. 3. Add mozzarella and spinach. 4. Dollop ricotta on top and sprinkle Parmesan. 5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes and finish with chili flakes and lemon zest.
BBQ Chicken Pizza With Red Onion
Sweet, smoky and tangy, BBQ chicken pizza is a crowd pleaser for kids and adults. Barbecue sauce replaces tomato sauce, then come chicken, red onion, smoked gouda and a sprinkle of cilantro. It is a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken. Add a final drizzle of sauce after baking. Cilantro: love it or hate it?
You will need: 1 dough ball, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce plus extra for drizzling, 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda, 1/2 red onion thinly sliced, fresh cilantro.
How to make it: 1. Toss the chicken with 2 tablespoons of the barbecue sauce. 2. Spread the rest of the sauce on the stretched dough. 3. Add both cheeses, chicken and onion. 4. Bake at 500 F for 8 to 10 minutes. 5. Drizzle with more sauce and top with cilantro.
Homemade Pizza Debate: Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple
Few foods start more arguments than pineapple on pizza. But sweet pineapple with salty ham and gooey cheese is a combo millions of people love. Try roasting the pineapple first so it gets caramelized and less watery. A little jalapeno takes it to another level. Okay, settle it once and for all: does pineapple belong on homemade pizza? Yes or no?
You will need: 1 dough ball, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 4 ounces ham or Canadian bacon, 1 cup pineapple chunks patted dry, 1 jalapeno sliced (optional), oregano.
How to make it: 1. Roast the pineapple at 450 F for 10 minutes. 2. Spread sauce on the stretched dough. 3. Add mozzarella, ham and pineapple. 4. Add jalapeno and oregano. 5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Loaded Veggie Supreme
Who says healthy cannot be delicious? This veggie supreme is loaded with peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes and spinach. The key is slicing everything thin and not piling it too high, so the crust stays crisp. It is colorful, filling and a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables. What veggie is a must on your pie?
You will need: 1 dough ball, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 bell pepper sliced, 1/4 red onion, 1/2 cup mushrooms sliced, 1/4 cup black olives, 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved, 1 handful spinach, oregano.
How to make it: 1. Spread sauce on the stretched dough. 2. Add mozzarella. 3. Scatter the vegetables evenly in a thin layer. 4. Sprinkle with oregano. 5. Bake at 500 F for 9 to 11 minutes.
Fast Flatbread Pizzas for Busy Nights
No dough? No problem. Store bought naan or flatbread makes a crispy pizza base in 10 minutes. Set out toppings and let everyone make their own personal pizza. It is perfect for kids, after school snacks or a quick dinner when there is no time for dough. This is the shortcut version of homemade pizza that still feels special.
You will need: 4 naan or flatbreads, 3/4 cup pizza sauce or pesto, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, toppings of choice such as pepperoni, arugula, cherry tomatoes, olives, olive oil.
How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 450 F. 2. Place the flatbreads on a sheet pan and brush with oil. 3. Spread with sauce or pesto. 4. Add cheese and toppings. 5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until crisp and finish with fresh arugula.
Cheesy Folded Calzones
A calzone is basically a pizza folded into a pocket, and kids think it is magic. Fill it with ricotta, mozzarella, pepperoni or sausage, seal the edges and bake until puffed and golden. Serve with warm marinara for dipping. Leftovers pack perfectly for lunch the next day. Calzone or regular slice, what would you pick?
You will need: 1 batch pizza dough divided into 4, 1 cup ricotta, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 4 ounces pepperoni or cooked sausage, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 egg, marinara for dipping.
How to make it: 1. Mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan and seasoning. 2. Roll each dough ball into an 8 inch round. 3. Fill one half with cheese and pepperoni, leaving an edge. 4. Fold, press and crimp to seal, then cut 2 small slits. 5. Brush with egg and bake at 450 F for 15 to 18 minutes.
Homemade Pizza Night Side: Buttery Garlic Knots
No pizza night is complete without garlic knots. Use leftover pizza dough, tie it into little knots, bake until golden and toss in garlic butter with parsley and Parmesan. They disappear faster than the pizza. Serve with marinara for dipping. That wraps up our homemade pizza list. Which one are you making this Friday?
You will need: 1/2 batch pizza dough, 4 tablespoons butter melted, 4 cloves garlic minced, 2 tablespoons parsley chopped, 1/4 cup Parmesan, pinch of salt, marinara for dipping.
How to make it: 1. Cut the dough into 12 strips. 2. Roll each strip into a rope and tie into a knot. 3. Bake at 425 F for 12 to 15 minutes until golden. 4. Stir garlic into the warm butter with parsley and salt. 5. Toss the hot knots in the garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan.
