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Classic cheese pizza is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for any occasion—from a cozy night in to a lively gathering with friends. With its golden crust, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, this easy cheese pizza recipe will have everyone clamoring for a slice. Plus, making pizza at home means you can customize it to your heart’s content!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This classic cheese pizza recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly simple to make. It’s a great way to impress your family or friends, and you can easily adapt it to suit your taste.
- Quick and easy preparation.
- Customizable with your favorite toppings.
- Perfect for family pizza night or entertaining guests.
- Fresh ingredients guarantee amazing flavor.
- Homemade pizza dough is easier than you think!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or a blend)
- Extra olive oil for drizzling
How to Make Classic Cheese Pizza
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 ½ cups of flour and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Mix until a dough starts to form. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour until it’s workable.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions for two pizzas.
- Roll out one portion of dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness (about 12 inches in diameter).
- Transfer the rolled-out dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a pizza peel if using a pizza stone.
- Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, and season with dried Italian herbs. Drizzle a little olive oil on top.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, slice, and serve!
Tips for the Best Results
- Allow your pizza stone to heat for at least 30 minutes for a crispier crust.
- Experiment with different types of cheese for a unique flavor.
- Don’t overload your pizza with toppings to ensure the crust cooks evenly.
- Brush the crust with garlic-infused olive oil before baking for added flavor.
Easy Variations
- Add pepperoni, mushrooms, or bell peppers for a classic topping mix.
- Try a white pizza by using ricotta and mozzarella, and skip the marinara.
- Create a BBQ chicken pizza by swapping marinara for barbecue sauce and adding cooked chicken.
What to Serve With It
- A fresh garden salad with vinaigrette dressing.
- Garlic breadsticks for extra indulgence.
- A side of marinara sauce for dipping.
- A selection of craft beers or a fruity soda.
Storage and Reheating
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Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place slices on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
Recipe Card
Classic Cheese Pizza
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Yield: 2 pizzas (12 inches each)
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or a blend)
Extra olive oil for drizzling
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 ½ cups of flour and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. Mix until a dough starts to form. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour until it’s workable.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
7. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions for two pizzas.
8. Roll out one portion of dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness (about 12 inches in diameter).
9. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a pizza peel if using a pizza stone.
10. Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
11. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, and season with dried Italian herbs. Drizzle a little olive oil on top.
12. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
13. Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, slice, and serve!
Notes: Adjust baking time based on your oven and thickness of the crust. Enjoy immediately for the best flavor!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Yield: 2 pizzas (12 inches each)
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or a blend)
Extra olive oil for drizzling
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 ½ cups of flour and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. Mix until a dough starts to form. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour until it’s workable.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
7. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions for two pizzas.
8. Roll out one portion of dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness (about 12 inches in diameter).
9. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a pizza peel if using a pizza stone.
10. Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
11. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, and season with dried Italian herbs. Drizzle a little olive oil on top.
12. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
13. Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, slice, and serve!
Notes: Adjust baking time based on your oven and thickness of the crust. Enjoy immediately for the best flavor!
