Classic Cheese Pizza is a timeless favorite that brings joy to both young and old alike. This easy-to-follow recipe allows you to create homemade pizzas that rival those from your favorite pizzeria. With a deliciously chewy yet crisp crust, flavorful pizza sauce, and a generous amount of melted cheese, these pizzas are sure to delight everyone at the table. Whether it’s a weeknight family dinner or a weekend gathering with friends, this classic cheese pizza will always be a hit!
MAKES TWO 14-INCH PIZZAS, SERVES 4 TO 6
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 pounds pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 12 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (3 cups)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat the Oven and Baking Stone: Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and place the baking stone on the rack. Heat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the baking stone to heat for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- Prepare the Dough: Transfer the pizza dough to a lightly floured counter, divide it into two equal halves, and cover each portion with greased plastic wrap. Working with one piece of dough at a time, gently flatten it into an 8-inch disk, leaving the outer edge slightly thicker than the center. Use your fingertips to stretch the dough into a 14-inch round, rotating it as you stretch. Transfer the shaped dough to a parchment paper-lined rimless (or inverted) baking sheet and reshape it as needed.
- Brush with Olive Oil and Add Sauce and Cheeses: Lightly brush the outer ½-inch edge of the dough with ½ tablespoon of olive oil. Spread 1 cup of pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Sprinkle 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan evenly over the sauce.
- Bake the Pizza: Slide the parchment paper and pizza onto the hot baking stone. Bake the pizza until the edges are brown and the cheese is golden in spots, which should take about 8 to 13 minutes. Rotate the pizza halfway through baking for even cooking. While the first pizza bakes, prepare the second pizza.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the pizza is ready, remove it from the oven by sliding the parchment paper back onto the baking sheet. Transfer the pizza to a wire rack, discard the parchment, and let the pizza cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Allow the baking stone to reheat for 5 minutes before baking the second pizza.
VARIATIONS:
- Classic Pizza Margherita: Substitute the pizza sauce with a mixture of crushed canned tomatoes, fresh basil, minced garlic, sugar, and salt. Replace the shredded mozzarella with fresh mozzarella, cut into chunks. After baking, sprinkle the pizza with additional chopped fresh basil and sea salt for added flavor.
- Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Arugula, and Ricotta: Caramelize onions with brown sugar and salt in olive oil, then spread them over the pizza before baking. Top the baked pizza with seasoned ricotta and dressed arugula for a delightful combination of textures and tastes.
- Pizza with Garlicky Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Cook broccoli with garlic until tender, then mix in sun-dried tomatoes before adding them as a topping to the pizza. This variation offers a satisfying vegetarian option with a burst of flavors.
- Pizza with Mushrooms, Spinach, and Goat Cheese: Cook portobello mushroom slices with garlic until browned, then add them as a topping along with frozen spinach and crumbled goat cheese. This combination creates a savory and hearty pizza that’s sure to please.
Enjoy the versatility of this classic cheese pizza recipe by trying out different variations or adding your favorite toppings. Create your own pizzeria-quality pizzas right at home and share the joy of delicious homemade pies with your loved ones!
