Homemade Pizza Night: From Scratch to Slice

There’s something sacred about pizza night in our home. It’s not just a meal it’s a ritual. A moment we all look forward to, filled with laughter, creativity, and the unmistakable smell of fresh dough rising in the kitchen.

Homemade pizza night with garden-fresh toppings and you know it cheese-stuffed crust! Nothing beats the taste of home 🌱🍕

Pizza is a huge hit around here. We take it seriously. From kneading the dough to brushing melted garlic herb butter on the golden crust every part of the process is intentional. We didn’t always make our own pizza from scratch, but once we started, there was no going back.

I began this homemade pizza journey out of necessity. Store-bought and frozen pizzas were giving me brutal heartburn, and I couldn’t figure out why. But once we started making everything ourselves with fresh, simple ingredients I felt better. And to be honest? It tastes way better, too.

Our Favorite Dough Recipe (Ready in 15 Minutes!)

We found our go-to dough recipe from Life As A Strawberry, and we’ve been hooked ever since. It’s easy, quick, and turns out beautifully every time. One batch makes up to five personal-sized pizzas, which is perfect for family dinner and entertaining guests.

Here’s the full dough recipe, directly from their site:

Here’s everything we need to make our homemade pizza dough! A little flour, yeast, olive oil, and some flavor magic. 🍕✨

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water (about 100–110° F)

• 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

• 1 tablespoon honey or 1 teaspoon of sugar

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon salt
  

  
  

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the warm water, yeast, and honey. Let it sit for 5–10

   minutes until the yeast has doubled.

2. Add flour, olive oil, and salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth.

4. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes (or longer if you have time) in a slightly oiled (olive oil) bowl covered, then roll it out and it’s ready to bake! Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.

5. On your cooking sheets add some olive oil to prevent the pizza from sticking. Add all the toppings you want! The pizzas take 13-15 minutes in the oven.
   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   
   
   

We sometimes mix in a little Italian seasoning or garlic powder right into the dough for extra flavor. And if we’re feeling fancy? We’ll stuff the crust with mozzarella sticks. Yes, it’s every bit as good as it sounds.

Fully loaded and ready for the oven. Homemade dough, gooey cheese, crispy bacon, and plenty of pepperoni. Yes, please! 😍🍕

Sauce, Toppings & All the Good Stuff

Our pizza nights are a bit of a DIY experience. Everyone gets to build their own, and we love offering a variety of options. We usually make both a classic red sauce and a creamy white garlic sauce from scratch. Then it’s time for toppings:

• Meats: Freshly sliced pepperoni, chicken, Canadian bacon, crispy bacon, Italian sausage (from our local meat market)

• Veggies: Onions, bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, green onions, and sometimes even pineapple

• Cheese: Mozzarella, parmesan, and whatever else we have in the fridge

  
  

We like to get the oven nice and hot so the crust comes out just right golden, crispy, and chewy in the center.

That Final Touch

Once the pizzas are baked to perfection, we don’t stop there. We melt a bit of homemade garlic and herb butter and brush it over the crust for that restaurant-style finish. It’s the kind of detail that makes the whole thing feel extra special. Pizza night has become one of our favorite family traditions. It’s more than just food it’s a chance to slow down, create something with our hands, and enjoy every messy, delicious bite together.

If you’ve never made your own pizza before, give it a try. Start with this dough. Let your kids or guests make their own combos. Have fun with it. Add extra cheese. Dip the crust. Make it yours.

Because the best pizza? It’s the one you make at home.

There’s nothing like the smell of homemade pizza fresh out of the oven. Built with love, shared with family, and devoured in minutes 💛