Homemade pan pizza, with dough

Making homemade pan pizza from scratch is an incredibly rewarding and fun process! The key to a great pan pizza is in the dough, which should be soft, chewy, and slightly crispy on the edges. This recipe will walk you through making both the dough and the pizza, all from scratch!

Here’s a step-by-step guide to Homemade Pan Pizza with Dough:

Homemade Pan Pizza Recipe

For the Pizza Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
1 cup warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for added flavor)

For the Pizza Sauce:

1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes (or 1 1/2 cups homemade tomato sauce)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil (optional, for extra flavor)

For the Toppings:

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or more if you like it extra cheesy)
Toppings of your choice (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Make the Pizza Dough:

In a bowl, combine the warm water (about 110°F / 43°C), sugar, and yeast. Stir until the yeast dissolves. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. This activates the yeast.
In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and garlic powder (if using).
Add the olive oil and the yeast mixture to the flour and stir to combine. Mix until it forms a rough dough.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky.
Grease a bowl with a bit of olive oil, place the dough inside, and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Pizza Sauce:

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, garlic powder, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld together. You can also add some fresh basil at the end of cooking for extra flavor.
If you like a smoother sauce, you can blend it with an immersion blender, but it’s not necessary if you like a chunky sauce.

3. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you’re using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven while it’s heating.

4. Prepare the Pan:

Grease a round or square baking pan (about 12 inches in diameter or equivalent) with a generous amount of olive oil. This helps the crust get crispy on the bottom.
Punch down the dough to release the air and then stretch it out to fit the pan. If the dough is too elastic and keeps shrinking back, let it rest for a few minutes before trying again. Once it’s in the pan, use your fingers to spread the dough out evenly across the bottom and edges of the pan.

5. Add the Toppings:

Spread a thin layer of your pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Add any other toppings you like. Some classic options include pepperoni, sliced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or sausage.

6. Bake the Pizza:

Place the pan in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 12-15 minutes (or a little longer for extra crispiness) until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted. If you like a crispier crust, you can place the pan directly on the oven rack for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.

7. Serve:

Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Garnish with some fresh basil (optional) and serve hot!

Tips for the Best Pan Pizza:

Use olive oil for the dough and pan: It gives the crust a beautiful golden color and adds flavor. Don’t skimp on greasing the pan!
Rest the dough: If the dough feels too stretchy and doesn’t want to fit in the pan, give it a few minutes to relax. This makes it easier to stretch and shape.
Use high-quality mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella or low-moisture mozzarella cheese will melt beautifully. Avoid the pre-shredded stuff if possible, as it doesn’t melt as smoothly.
Don’t overload on sauce: Too much sauce can make the pizza soggy. A thin, even layer is perfect.
Preheat your pan: If you’re using a cast-iron skillet or a heavy pan, preheating it can give the crust a good crunch on the bottom.

Optional: Make It Extra Special

Stuffed crust: Before adding the sauce and cheese, roll up some mozzarella sticks into the edges of the dough to create a stuffed crust!
Herbed crust: Brush the edges of the dough with garlic butter or a mixture of olive oil and herbs like rosemary or oregano to add extra flavor.
Add cheese to the sauce: For a creamy twist, mix some grated Parmesan or ricotta into the tomato sauce for a rich, cheesy base.

Homemade pan pizza is the perfect meal for family nights, casual dinners, or whenever you’re craving something homemade and satisfying. Once you try it, you’ll never want to order pizza again! Let me know how it turns out and what toppings you choose!