There's nothing more comforting than a classic Cheese Pizza with a crispy crust, melted bubbly cheese, and flavorful sauce. Whether it's pizza night with the family or a quick weekend dinner, making homemade pizza is always a good idea! Plus, learning how to make cheese pizza at home is easier than you think and you can add any toppings you want. Mediterranean pizza, tomato basil pizza and hot honey pepperoni pizza are three that we make on repeat.
Our pizza is made with only 5 easy ingredients. It's the perfect base for a complete meal, and it pairs well with a variety of easy sides, like garlic knots and green salads. For a fun pizza night spread, add breadsticks, pepperoni pizza bites or pizza bread on the side.
Finish the meal with a sweet treat such as chocolate chip cookies, fudgy Oreo brownies, or no-bake butterscotch pudding cake to keep things easy and satisfying.
Table Of Contents
Why You'll Love Homemade Cheese Pizza
- Making cheese pizza at home gives you full control over the ingredients, flavor, and thickness of the crust. Plus, it's a fun, budget-friendly meal the whole family can enjoy.
- Once you master this classic recipe, you can easily customize it with herbs, extra cheese blends, or your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
You'll need:
- Package of pizza dough or a homemade dough. You can use our favorite thin crust pizza dough, bread maker thin crust dough, classic Neopalitan dough or a thicker crust bread machine dough (our favorite).
- Pizza sauce: our no-cook pizza sauce is perfect.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese
What Cheese Is Best For Pizza?
Low-moisture mozzarella is the best cheese for a classic cheese pizza. It melts evenly, browns nicely, and doesn't release too much liquid. Fresh mozzarella can be used, but it may create a softer, wetter pizza unless used sparingly.
How Do I Make Cheese Pizza Crispy?
To get a crispy cheese pizza crust bake at a high temperature (475 to 525 degrees F) and use a preheated pizza stone or pan. I leave my pizza stone in the oven as it preheats and then for 20 minutes after to get it nice and hot.
Kristina's Tips
- Use low-moisture mozzarella for better melting and less soggy pizza.
- Don't overload the toppings. Simple is what makes a cheese pizza shine.
- Bake hot and fast to get a crisp crust and bubbly cheese.
- Let it rest before slicing so the cheese doesn't slide off.
- Brush the crust with a mixture of milk and pizza sauce before baking for extra flavor and color.
How To Make Cheese Pizza
- Preheat your oven to 500℉ with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside.
- Stretch out your pizza dough on parchment paper or a pizza peeler sprinkled generously with semolina flour. Stretch the dough by gently pinching and pulling it into a circle until it reaches about 12-14 inches in diameter. Once the oven is at 500℉, lift the dough off the parchment or peeler. If it sticks, generously sprinkle more semolina flour underneath, place the dough back down and shake it to ensure the dough will easily slide off and onto the pizza stone/baking sheet.
- Spread an even layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving about ½ inch around the edges for the crust.
- Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by the grated parmesan cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of milk with about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce. Brush the pizza sauce and milk mixture on the edge of the dough.
- Bake for about 10-14 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Remove from the oven using a pizza peel and let cool before slicing.
How To Store And Reheat
Fridge: Let the pizza cool completely before storing. Place slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Stored properly, pizza will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: Pizza freezes very well and is great for make-ahead meals. Wrap individual slices or whole pizzas tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen pizza will keep for up to 2 months.
Reheating: In the oven or air fryer, reheat at 375°F until warmed through and the crust is crisp. You can also heat slices in a covered skillet over medium heat for a crispy bottom and melty cheese. Avoid reheating pizza in the microwave if possible, as it can make the crust soggy.
Recipe
Cheese Pizza
Equipment
- parchment paper
- pizza slicer
Ingredients
- 16 ounce pizza dough store bought or homemade
- ⅓ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 500℉ with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside.
- Stretch the pizza dough on parchment paper or a pizza peeler sprinkled generously with semolina flour. Stretch the dough by gently pinching and pulling it into a circle until it reaches about 12-14 inches in diameter. Once the oven is at 500℉, lift the dough off the parchment or peeler. If it sticks, generously sprinkle more semolina flour underneath, place the dough back down and shake it to ensure the dough will easily slide off and onto the pizza stone/baking sheet.
- Spread an even layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving about ½ inch around the edges for the crust. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by the grated parmesan cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of milk with about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce. Brush the pizza sauce and milk mixture on the edge of the dough.
- Bake for about 10-14 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Remove from the oven using a pizza peel and let cool before slicing.
Notes
- Use low-moisture mozzarella for better melting and less soggy pizza.
- Don't overload the toppings. Simple is what makes a cheese pizza shine.
- Bake hot and fast to get a crisp crust and bubbly cheese.
- Let it rest before slicing so the cheese doesn't slide off.
- Brush the crust with a mixture of milk and pizza sauce before baking for extra flavor and color.
Nutrition
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