Skip to main content

Everything You Need to Make a Pizza This Weekend

By chef Henry

Here’s what you need to know to make a pizza that tastes better than your favorite restaurant—all in the comfort of your own home!

Margherita pizza with pizza sauce and pizza cutter.

Last week, I got my fourth text in two weeks asking the same question: “We just got a pizza oven—help! Where do we start?” It seems like everyone in our friend circle has caught the outdoor pizza oven bug, investing in either an Ooni or a Roccbox (which is what we use and absolutely love).

After years of perfecting our pizza game and countless weekend pizza parties, Alex and I realized we have built up lots of tips to share. That’s actually what inspired our new Instagram series on pizza making. Because honestly, once you master the basics, there’s nothing quite like pulling a perfectly charred, bubbling pizza from a hot oven in your own backyard.

But these pizza tips work even if you don’t have a pizza oven! You can make next-level pizza right in your standard oven.

Why Friday pizza night became our thing

When you make a pizza from scratch, you’re not just feeding people—you’re creating an experience (right?!). There’s the anticipation as the dough rises, the creativity of choosing toppings, and that incredible moment when you pull a bubbling, charred pizza from the oven.

It’s become our weekly reset button, a tasty way to transition from the week’s chaos to weekend relaxation.

Pizza oven

The foundation: getting your dough right

The secret to learning how to make a pizza that rivals your favorite pizzeria starts with great pizza dough. I’ve tested countless recipes over the years, and Alex and I have a few go-to options depending on my mood and timeline:

For beginners, I recommend starting with our classic pizza dough recipe—it’s foolproof. If you’re feeling ambitious, try our Italian pizza dough recipe for that authentic, chewy texture. For those nights when you want something lighter, our easy thin crust pizza dough is absolutely perfect.

Got a stand mixer? Our pizza dough stand mixer method will save you time and effort.

If you’re lucky enough to own a pizza oven, don’t miss this Ooni pizza dough recipe: it’s specifically designed for high-heat cooking.

Want an even easier pizza dough? Try this sheet pan pizza, which makes 3 medium pizzas at once on a sheet pan, or my favorite deep dish pan pizza made in a cast iron skillet.

Mushroom pizza

The art of topping your pizza

Here’s where the fun really begins. When you make a pizza at home, you get to be the artist. Start with classics like our Margherita pizza or pizza marinara—both prove that simple ingredients can create something incredible.

Our very favorite topping is this quick pizza sauce recipe: you can make it in 5 minutes, no cooking required, and the flavor is out of this world good! (It’s the recipe I’ve made the most on this entire website.)

For something more adventurous, try mushroom pizza with fresh herbs or the spicy vegetarian diavola pizza. Cheese lovers will obsessed over this quattro formaggi pizza and goat cheese pizza.

Need more inspiration? Our comprehensive guide to pizza toppings and our complete pizza recipes collection should spark your creativity.

Beyond traditional: mix things up

Sometimes you want to make a pizza but crave something different. That’s when I turn to our Mexican pizza recipe or even pita pizza for a quick weeknight version. This olive pizza is perfect for Mediterranean flavor lovers, while shrimp pizza feels elegantly indulgent.

Olive Pizza

Making it a complete experience

When you make a pizza, don’t forget the sides! Check out my guide to sides to go with pizza for the perfect accompaniments. And if you’re hosting friends, our how to throw a pizza party podcast has all the tips you need.

Essential pizza gear

If you’re making pizza at home, there are a few pieces of gear you’ll need. For a standard oven, you’ll need a pizza stone to get that perfect crisp tender crust. A pizza peel makes it easy to slide the pizza out of the oven.

Tipo 00 flour is key to next-level pizza dough with the perfect texture. And if you’re in the market for a pizza oven, here are our favorites!

Start this Friday!

Ready to make a pizza that’ll become your new Friday night tradition? Choose your dough, gather your toppings, and remember—perfection isn’t the goal. Connection is. Some of my favorite pizza memories involve slightly burnt crusts and topping disasters that somehow tasted incredible because Alex and I made them together.

Whether you’re craving a Neapolitan pizza or want to try my best healthy pizza, the most important ingredient is the love you put into it. Trust me, once you start making pizza at home, you’ll never want to go back to delivery!

Pizza party


from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/wIH4cGf
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Boil Beets

By chef Henry
Here’s a step by step tutorial on how to boil beets on the stovetop until they’re perfectly tender! This easy method is perfect for adding this root vegetable to salads, side dishes, soups, and more. Looking to cook up some beets? I’m a big fan of this nutritious pink root vegetable (after years of avoiding it!). I love it in anything from a beet salad to soup to beet hummus . There are several ways to cook beets: you can roast them or pressure cook them . But one of the quickest ways is to boil them on the stovetop! Boiling beets is simple and quick: it’s my favorite method when I’m in a hurry. How long to boil beets? Boiling beets is a fast and easy method: small beets boil in about 20 minutes, medium beets in 30 minutes, and large beets in 40 minutes. Compared to about 1 hour to roast beets, it’s a big time savings! Making oven roasted beets does accentuate their sweet flavor a bit more, so that’s my preferred method. But if you’re in a hurry, boiling beets is th...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Season Quinoa

By chef Henry
My go-to quinoa seasoning turns the classic whole grain into an irresistible, flavorful side. It’s made with a few pantry staples and is endlessly versatile! If you’ve ever thought quinoa was bland, think again! This is my go-to way to season it, and it’s absolutely irresistible when it comes to flavor. It’s the recipe that convinced my family to fall in love with quinoa!   With just a few simple ingredients, you can turn this humble grain into something crave-worthy. I’ll walk you through my classic seasoning method first, and then share some fun flavor variations you can try for other quinoa-based dishes . My Favorite Seasoning Option  This whole grain has a naturally bitter and nutty flavor. With the right ingredients, though, you can easily flavor quinoa so that these bitter and nutty notes aren’t overpowering your palate.  Here’s what I use in my classic seasoning to make quinoa taste delicious:  Butter : The light sweetness and richness ...
Post a Comment
Read more

30 Halloween Cocktails & Drinks

By chef Henry
These Halloween cocktails and drinks combine eerie effects with incredible flavors, from bubbling alcoholic drinks to spooky classic cocktails! These creepy beverages will wow everyone (mocktails included). Themed cocktails make any party more fun: especially when it comes to Halloween! As a cocktail expert and huge fan of this fall holiday, I’ve spent the last few years creating some fun drink recipes for my favorite time of year. I’ve been perfecting Halloween drinks for over a decade now, and I’ve learned the best spooky drinks are a combination of both drama and flavor. So here are my top Halloween cocktails to fit the season, including bubbling dry ice drinks, classic cocktails that fit the ghoulish theme, and fall favorites that are easy to serve a crowd. Let the haunting begin! Tip: If you’re planning to use dry ice in your Halloween alcoholic drinks, read the safety and handling instructions in How to Make Dry Ice Cocktails . Top Halloween drinks and cocktails ...
Post a Comment
Read more