Here’s what you should know to create a pizza that tastes superior to your preferred restaurant—all from the convenience of your own kitchen!
Last week, I received my fourth text in a fortnight asking the same thing: “We just purchased a pizza oven—help! Where should we begin?” It seems that everyone in our friend group has succumbed to the outdoor pizza oven craze, opting for either an Ooni or a Roccbox (which is what we use and absolutely adore).
After years of honing our pizza skills and countless weekend pizza gatherings, Alex and I discovered we have amassed plenty of tips to offer. That’s actually what motivated our new Instagram series on pizza preparation. Because honestly, once you grasp the fundamentals, there’s nothing quite like drawing a perfectly charred, bubbling pizza from a hot oven right in your backyard.
But these pizza tips are effective even if you lack a pizza oven! You can craft next-level pizza directly in your conventional oven.
Why Friday pizza night became our ritual
When you create a pizza from scratch, you’re not merely serving food—you’re crafting an experience (right?!). There’s the excitement as the dough rises, the inventiveness of selecting toppings, and that wonderful moment when you extract a bubbling, charred pizza from the oven.
It has turned into our weekly reset button, a delicious way to shift from the hectic week to weekend relaxation.
The foundation: perfecting your dough
The key to mastering how to make a pizza that competes with your favorite pizzeria begins with outstanding pizza dough. I’ve experimented with numerous recipes over the years, and Alex and I have a few preferred choices based on my mood and schedule:
For novices, I suggest starting with our classic pizza dough recipe—it’s fail-safe. If you’re feeling adventurous, try our Italian pizza dough recipe for that genuine, chewy texture. For those evenings when you desire something lighter, our easy thin crust pizza dough is just right.
Have a stand mixer? Our pizza dough stand mixer technique will save you both time and energy.
If you’re fortunate enough to possess a pizza oven, don’t overlook this Ooni pizza dough recipe: it’s tailored for high-heat cooking.
Want an even simpler pizza dough? Try this sheet pan pizza, which yields 3 medium pizzas simultaneously on a sheet, or my favorite deep dish pizza made in a cast iron skillet.
The art of adorning your pizza
This is where the real fun starts. When you create a pizza at home, you become the artist. Begin with classics like our Margherita pizza or pizza marinara—both demonstrate how basic ingredients can yield something magnificent.
Our absolute favorite topping is this quick pizza sauce recipe: you can whip it up in 5 minutes, no cooking involved, and the taste is unbelievably good! (It’s the recipe I’ve made most on this whole website.)
For something bolder, try mushroom pizza with fresh herbs or the spicy vegetarian diavola pizza. Cheese enthusiasts will fall in love with this quattro formaggi pizza and goat cheese pizza.
Need additional inspiration? Our all-encompassing guide to pizza toppings and our complete collection of pizza recipes should ignite your creativity.
Beyond traditional: switch things up
Sometimes you want to create a pizza but yearn for something unique. That’s when I lean towards our Mexican pizza recipe or even pita pizza for a quick weeknight alternative. This olive pizza is ideal for Mediterranean flavor enthusiasts, while shrimp pizza feels luxuriously indulgent.
Making it a full experience
When you prepare a pizza, don’t forget about the sides! Check out my guide to sides to pair with pizza for the perfect complements. And if you’re hosting friends, our how to throw a pizza party podcast has all the advice you’ll require.
Essential pizza equipment
If you’re crafting pizza at home, several pieces of equipment are essential. For a standard oven, you’ll need a pizza stone to achieve that ideal crisp tender crust. A pizza peel facilitates sliding the pizza out of the oven.
Tipo 00 flour is crucial for next-level pizza dough with the perfect texture. And if you’re considering a pizza oven, here are our top picks!
Start this Friday!
Ready to whip up a pizza that will become your new Friday night custom? Choose your dough, collect your toppings, and remember—perfection isn’t the aim. Connection is. Some of my dearest pizza memories involve slightly burnt crusts and topping mishaps that astonishingly turned out incredible because Alex and I made them together.
Whether you’re longing for a Neapolitan pizza or eager to try my best healthy pizza, the most crucial ingredient is the love you invest in it. Trust me, once you begin making pizza at home, you’ll never wish to revert to delivery!