27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (2024)

If you haven't taken the leap and made pizza at home yet, consider this your road map. We have step-by-step instructions for classics like Margherita, Grandma Pie, and plain cheese pizza that delivers "perfection on a plate." Cacio e pepe pizza is a fun riff on the signature Roman pasta, while breakfast pizza proves that you can absolutely eat pizza for every single meal. (And since dessert pizza exists too, why wouldn't you?) Once you're a pizza-making pro, put these go-to pizza recipes in rotation.

The 7 Best Pizza Ovens for Restaurant-Quality Pizza at Home

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Classic Cheese Pizza

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Sometimes all you want at the end of the day is a simple cheese pizza. This recipe turns simple into sublime with the addition of an exceptional pizza dough, low-moisture mozzarella cheese, and an easy to make tomato sauce that hits all of the right sweet and savory notes to marry all of the flavors in this pie. Add a simple garnish of fresh herbs, and you've got perfection on a plate.

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02of 27

Soppressata Pizza with Calabrian Chilies and Hot Honey

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Take a little soppressata, some chopped calabrian chiles, and a drizzle of hot honey, and you'll end up with the pizza of the moment. Calabrian chiles, fiery chiles from Italy, add heat and a distinctly fruity flavor to this pie. The hot honey mirrors the flavors of the chiles, and adds a touch of sweetness.

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03of 27

Grandma Pie Pizza

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Unlike a thin-crust Neapolitan-style pie, the thick, deliciously chewy crust of a classic grandma pie is easy to pull off at home. All you need is a sturdy, standard "half-sheet" rimmed baking sheet. Don't stint on the oil for the pan — it helps create a gloriously crispy, golden crust.

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04of 27

Margherita Pizza

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This classic pizza is easy to pull off at home with fresh ingredients. Miriam Weiskind's flavorful dough comes together through careful kneading before slowly rising in the refrigerator for one — and up to five — days, making it the perfect, make-ahead pizza base. Paired with creamy mozzarella, the freshly snipped basil and uncooked sauce deliver big flavor.

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05of 27

Wild Mushroom Pizza with Homemade Ranch

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It's important not to weigh your pizza down with too many toppings, which can make for a soggy pie, so this pizza only requires a small amount of wild mushrooms. Choose whatever looks best at the market. We love this pizza with a drizzle of Fancy Ranch dressing (which almost makes it a salad, right?)

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06of 27

Tavern-Style Sausage and Giardiniera Pizza

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This square-cut, cracker-thin pie is the Chicago style that originated when tavern owners and bartenders would leave out free pizza for customers to entice them to stay for another round of beers. The small pieces can fit on a bar napkin and shouldn't spoil one's dinner.

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Potato Pizza with Crème Fraîche and Bacon

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This pizza starts with the flavors of the classic Alsatian pizza, made with crème fraîche, caramelized onion, and bacon, and adds soft confit garlic cloves and thin slices of potatoes. Add a little greenery from kale and chives, and you've got an exceptional pizza to both look at and eat.

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08of 27

Smoky Breakfast Pizzas

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Chef Justin Bazdarich makes his Kind Brother pizza at Speedy Romeo in Brooklyn extra decadent with a combination of béchamel and smoked mozzarella. This easy version also gets a kick from smoked mozzarella, plus a drizzle of fresh basil oil for a pop of freshness.

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09of 27

Jerk Chicken Pizza

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Whether you choose to make your own dough or buy it from the store, this pizza, called "Kiss Mi Converse!" at Last Dragon, is destined for greatness. A homemade jerk marinade inspired by Russell's Jamaican family takes center stage, giving rich flavor to the chicken topping, while the black olives, yellow peppers, and crossed scallion greens aren't just delicious — they're a salute to the Jamaican flag.

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10of 27

Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Salami

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Pork and pineapple are a dream combination in this homemade salty-sweet pizza. Pizza pro Miriam Weiskind's twist on pineapple-topped pie uses Genoa salami in place of ham — paired with creamy mozzarella and an oregano-scented uncooked tomato sauce, it is sure to convert any pineapple pizza skeptics.

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11of 27

Sausage and Ricotta Pizza with Castelvetrano Olives

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The combination of the meaty, briny, vegetal flavors in this pizza hits so many satisfying notes that it is sure to be a hit at your table. The olives, peppers, sausage, and ricotta combine to bring sweet, savory, salty, and creamy notes to this pretty pizza.

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12of 27

Grilled Pizza with Prosciutto

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Turn out pizza oven-quality pizzas with this technique from Johanne Killeen and George Germon, who pioneered grilled pizzas at Al Forno in Providence, Rhode Island.

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13of 27

Spring Onion and Salami Sheet-Pan Pizza

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When making sheet-pan pizza, bring the dough to room temperature before shaping. This ensures the gluten is relaxed and the dough doesn't shrink from the pan edges.

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14of 27

Choucroute Pizzas

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Dijon mustard and tangy fermented sauerkraut cut through the creamy richness of melted Fontina and mozzarella, while salty pistachios add a pleasant crunch to this Alsatian choucroute garnie–inspired pizza.

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15of 27

Roman Pizza

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This rectangular pie uses focaccia as the base for a simple topping of tomato sauce, melty stracciatella cheese, and basil leaves. It's unusually crisp, because it's drizzled with olive oil before baking.

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16of 27

Cacio e Pepe Pizza

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At Sbanco restaurant in Rome, chef Stefano Callegari takes his time making this perfect pizza dough, topping it with the flavors of cacio e pepe pasta. He's also devised a clever trick: putting a bit of crushed ice on the dough as it goes into the hot oven to keep the center moist and tender while the bottom and edge become crisp and crackling.

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17of 27

Summer Squash Pizza with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

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Zucchini and yellow squash can both be mild in flavor, but nothing about this tangy, herby pizza is bland. The summer squash is sliced into slender coins, then roasted in a hot oven until it's lightly caramelized, bringing out its sweetness.

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18of 27

Breakfast Pizza

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Pizza is always a solid choice at breakfast time, and this particular pie, topped with sausage, eggs, and cheddar cheese, is always a hit. If you wish, you could add or substitute leftover cooked greens or roasted vegetables, sliced ham, or crisp bacon.

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19of 27

Grilled Asparagus Pizzas with Gremolata

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The heat of the grill can wilt the freshest toppings, so chef Daniele Uditi spoons something bright — a blend of fresh herbs, crushed red pepper, and garlic — over the pizza once it comes off the grate.

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20of 27

Vegan Wild Mushroom Pizza

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"The garlic crema balances the mushrooms' earthy flavor, while thinly sliced brussels sprouts add an awesome crunch," says chef Mary Dumont who shared this recipe from PlantPub in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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21of 27

Fennel and Sweet Onion Pizza with Green Olives

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Miami chef Michael Schwartz makes this pizza with Pernod-braised fennel, caramelized onions, and Trugole, a semisoft Italian cheese that melts beautifully.

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22of 27

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Béchamel Pizzas

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To give these individual pizzas an extra-luxe topping, chef Andres Barrera makes a velvety béchamel sauce with goat cheese and freshly grated nutmeg, then adds dollops of sautéed mushrooms.

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23of 27

Nancy Silverton's Tomato-Oregano Pizza

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Chef Nancy Silverton's outstanding Neapolitan-style pizza is topped with only tomato sauce and oregano. The recipe yields nine eight-inch pizzas.

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24of 27

Portobello Mushroom and Red Pepper Pizza

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This substantial pizza features meaty portobello mushrooms and bright red bell peppers, simply paired with fresh salted mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and fresh basil. If you don't have fresh basil, stir some pesto into the peppers and mushrooms before putting them on the pizza.

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25of 27

Scallop and Bacon Pizza

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A quick, garlicky béchamel stands in for crème fraîche and cheese in this luxurious white pizza.

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26of 27

Roasted Chicken and Leek Pizza

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Store-bought rotisserie chicken, with its juicy meat, makes a great topping for fast homemade pizza. Here, former Food & Wine editor Grace Parisi adds it to pizza with leeks, Fontina cheese, and spicy oil-cured olives. The finished pizza pairs perfectly with a crisp California Sauvignon Blanc.

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27of 27

Pizza with Charred Cherry Tomatoes and Pesto

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Chef Shea Gallante tops these crisp-crusted individual pies with sweet tomatoes, aged Gouda, and a little pesto. The cherry tomato topping can be made one day in advance and refrigerated overnight — just bring it to room temperature before using.

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27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good pizza dough? ›

The secret to great dough isn't kneading or throwing . . .

“Pizza dough made at home should be 50 percent water. Pizza needs to cook longer in a home oven, which means the dough needs to be more hydrated.” But don't let it to get soggy . . .“It's important to spread the dough very well and very evenly,” explains Falco.

What order do pizza ingredients go in? ›

Cheese always goes belowthe toppings

You've got your dough as the foundation. Then your sauce. The cheese is the next solid layer. Then your toppings (after all, they're called top-pings and not bottom-ings), and then finally your garnishes like basil, pepper, fresh mozzarella, etc, after the pizza is cooked.

How to seal the dough good pizza great pizza? ›

Sealing the Dough
  1. Step 1: Cover half of the Dough with Sauce and the other half with Cheese. Freeze the Dough and put it in the box.
  2. Step 2: Add Fig, Zucchini, and Artichoke to the Dough. Freeze the Dough and put it in the box.
  3. Step 3: Freeze the Dough 3 times, then cut it into 8 slices.

How to cook perfect pizza in the oven? ›

Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 550°F or higher. Arrange a rack in the lower-middle part of the oven (if you have a baking stone, place it on the rack) and heat the oven to 550°F or higher. ...
  2. Divide the dough in half. ...
  3. Roll out the dough. ...
  4. Top the pizza. ...
  5. Bake the pizza. ...
  6. Slice and serve.

What is the most important ingredient in pizza dough? ›

Flour is the main ingredient in pizza dough, and the type you use can have a big effect on the end result. All-purpose flour will work fine, but if you want a chewier crumb and a better hole structure, you should consider buying yourself some high protein bread flour.

What makes pizza dough more crispy? ›

The secret to a more crispy pizza crust is probably not what you think. You might assume that less water will result in a crispier crust. But you'd be wrong. To achieve a more crispy crust, you'll need to add more water to the dough formula.

What temperature do you bake pizza at? ›

Generally, the hotter the oven, the better the pizza will be. The best oven temperature for pizza is between 450 and 500 degrees F (250 to 260 degrees C). Pizza ovens cook at temperatures between 800 and 900 degrees F. You can't get that hot in your home oven, but the higher you can go, the better.

Which cheese is best for pizza? ›

Best cheese for pizza
  • Mozzarella. Perhaps the most well-known and popular pizza topping of all-time, Mozzarella is cherished for its near perfect consistency and straightforward flavour. ...
  • Cheddar/Matured Cheddar. ...
  • Aged Havarti. ...
  • Gorgonzola. ...
  • Provolone. ...
  • Goat cheese. ...
  • Pecorino-Romano. ...
  • The ultimate cheese pizza.

Should you cook pepperoni before putting on pizza? ›

Because pizza cooks at such high temperatures, it's tempting to just allow your toppings to cook directly on the crust. This is fine for most veggies, but never take the chance with meat. Make sure to cook all meats and even tougher veggies like broccoli ahead of time.

Should pizza dough rise covered or uncovered? ›

The short answer is – cover it to prevent it from drying out. And there is no good reason not to cover. But of course, there are things to consider. We all know to cover our dough so that it does not develop a dry skin on its surface which can give it an unpleasant look and texture.

Should I put oil under pizza dough? ›

Although oil in pizza dough is not required, it may be helpful. The oil improves the dough's stretchability while also keeping it hydrated. When you bake the dough, you can see how this process works, and the oil keeps the dough supple even after cooking.

How to make homemade pizza better? ›

12 Best Tips for Homemade Pizza
  1. 1 - Cook your pizza on a preheated surface. ...
  2. 2 - Cook your pizza at a very high temperature. ...
  3. 3 - Cook your pizza on parchment paper. ...
  4. 4 - Think outside the box with your sauces. ...
  5. 5 - Don't overcook your protein. ...
  6. 6 - Get creative with your toppings.
Feb 18, 2019

How long to cook pizza dough before adding toppings? ›

Pro Tips: Pre-Bake Dough, if cooking pizza in the oven. If you're baking the pizza in the oven, whether on a pizza stone or not, I always pre-bake the dough for 4-5 minutes before adding toppings, to make sure the pizza dough cooks crisp on the outside and soft and airy in the middle.

Should pizza go in the top or middle of the oven? ›

At the very top of the oven, the base of the pizza cooks almost as quickly as it does in the middle, but the top cooks much faster, resulting in better oven-spring, hole structure, and more browning.

What can you add to pizza dough to make it better? ›

My favorite thing to add is lemon zest. You can also add herbs like thyme or oregano - fresh or dried. You might add chopped olives, or chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

How to make homemade pizza dough more flavorful? ›

Salt: Salt adds necessary flavor. Sugar: 1 Tablespoon of sugar increases the yeast's activity and tenderizes the dough, especially when paired with a little olive oil. Cornmeal: Cornmeal isn't in the dough, but it's used to dust the pizza pan. Cornmeal gives the pizza crust a little extra flavor and crisp.

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