There’s nothing quite like a good homemade Cheese Pizza! A golden, slightly crisp crust, plenty of gooey melted mozzarella, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and your favorite pizza sauce are all you need to make a really delicious pizza at home.
This is one of those recipes that proves simple is sometimes best. You don’t need to make pizza dough from scratch or spend hours in the kitchen. Using a ball of store-bought pizza dough makes this recipe incredibly easy, and the whole pizza bakes in about 10 minutes.
Whether you’re simply craving a classic slice of cheese pizza, feeding hungry kids or planning a family pizza night with pepperoni pizza too, this is a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easy to customize. Add your favorite toppings or keep it simple with cheese.
- It’s incredibly easy to make. Using prepared pizza dough eliminates the need to make your own.
- You will only need a handful of ingredients. Pizza sauce, two kinds of cheese, and a little oregano are all you need.
- It will be ready in minutes. Once the dough has rested, the pizza takes about 10 minutes to bake. It’s almost as easy to make as French bread pizza!
- It’s perfect for family pizza night. Everyone loves a classic cheese pizza!
Ingredients Needed
You only need seven ingredients to make this easy homemade cheese pizza!
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Used to coat the pizza dough while it rests, keeping it from drying out.
- Pizza Dough: You’ll need one pound of prepared pizza dough. Look for fresh or frozen dough at your grocery store or favorite local pizzeria.
- Pizza Sauce: Use your favorite jarred pizza sauce or homemade pizza sauce.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella gives this pizza its delicious, gooey, cheesy topping. Whole-milk mozzarella melts beautifully, but part-skim works too.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a little extra flavor and saltiness.
- Dried Oregano: A classic pizza seasoning that adds just the right amount of flavor.
- Fresh Basil: Optional, but a few fresh basil leaves make a lovely finishing touch.
How to Make Cheese Pizza
Making homemade cheese pizza is easier than you might think. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Let the dough rest. Drizzle the olive oil into a large bowl. Add the pizza dough and turn it around to coat it lightly in oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for one hour. This allows the dough to relax, making it much easier to stretch into a pizza crust.
Step 2: Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 500°F. If you’re using a pizza stone, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preheating it.
Step 3: Shape the pizza crust. Transfer the dough to a 12 to 15-inch pizza stone or similarly sized baking sheet. Use your fingertips to gently press and stretch the dough into a round pizza crust.
Step 4: Add the sauce. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges for the crust.
Step 5: Add the cheese. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the pizza sauce. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and finish with a sprinkle of dried oregano.
Step 6: Bake. Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
Step 7: Slice and serve. Remove the pizza from the oven. Add fresh basil leaves, if desired, and let the pizza rest for a minute or two before slicing into eight pieces. Serve immediately while the cheese is hot and melty!
Recipe Tips for the Best Homemade Cheese Pizza
- Let your dough come to room temperature. Cold pizza dough can be difficult to stretch and tends to spring back into shape. Giving it an hour to rest makes a big difference.
- Don’t overload the pizza with sauce. Too much sauce can make the center of the pizza soggy. Three-quarters of a cup is a good amount for this recipe.
- Shred your own mozzarella. Freshly shredded mozzarella generally melts more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking ingredients.
- Use a hot oven. A 500°F oven helps create a golden crust and bubbly cheese in a short amount of time.
- Be careful with your pizza stone. Not all pizza stones are designed for temperatures as high as 500°F. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions, and avoid putting a room-temperature stone into an extremely hot oven if the manufacturer recommends preheating it.
- Keep an eye on the pizza. Every oven is different, and thinner crusts may bake faster. Start checking for doneness around 8 minutes.
Easy Cheese Pizza Variations
A classic cheese pizza is delicious on its own, but it’s also a great starting point for adding other flavors.
- Spicy Cheese Pizza: Sprinkle on crushed red pepper flakes or drizzle with hot honey after baking.
- Four Cheese Pizza: Add a little provolone, fontina, or ricotta along with the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Margherita-Style Pizza: Use fresh mozzarella, a little tomato sauce, and plenty of fresh basil.
- Garlic Cheese Pizza: Brush the outer crust with garlic-infused olive oil before baking.
- Extra Cheesy Pizza: Add another handful of mozzarella for an especially cheesy pizza.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cheese for homemade cheese pizza?
Low-moisture mozzarella is an excellent choice because it melts beautifully and gives you that classic stretchy pizza cheese. Parmesan adds a little extra flavor. Using a combination of the two creates a delicious cheese pizza.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely! That’s what makes this recipe so easy. You can find prepared pizza dough in the refrigerated or frozen section of many grocery stores. Some local pizzerias also sell balls of fresh pizza dough.
Do I need a pizza stone to make this recipe?
No. A pizza stone can help create a crisp crust, but a regular baking sheet works too. Just make sure your baking sheet is rated for the high oven temperature.
Why is my homemade pizza soggy?
A soggy pizza can happen when you use too much sauce, add toppings with excess moisture, or bake at too low a temperature. Using a hot oven and the recommended amount of sauce helps prevent this.
Can I make cheese pizza ahead of time?
You can prepare your ingredients ahead of time, but I recommend assembling and baking the pizza just before serving. Freshly baked pizza has the best crust and cheese texture.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Pizza
- Refrigerator: Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
- Reheating: For the crispiest crust, reheat pizza in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a 375°F oven until warmed through. An air fryer also works well.
What to Serve with Cheese Pizza
A good salad is always a good choice with homemade pizza. A classic Caesar salad, Italian chopped salad, or a bowl of fresh fruit would also make a nice addition.
For a fun family pizza night, serve several kinds of pizza! Try our recipes for meatball pizza, barbecued chicken pizza and Chicago style deep dish pizza.
Fun Facts About Pizza:
- In the United States, 350 slices of pizza are eaten per second.
- 93% of American pizza eaters eat pizza once per month.
- The most popular pizza topping is pepperoni. The least popular pizza topping is anchovies.
- Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest day of the year for pizza deliver in the United States.
- In 2001, the Russian Space Agency was paid more than 1 million dollars to deliver a 6-inch pizza to the International Space Station.
- The Japanese put mayonnaise on their pizza.
- Bill Murray and Jean Claude Van Damme both worked at pizza restaurants before they became famous.
Cheese Pizza
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound pizza dough ball, thawed if frozen (look for it at your local grocery store or pizzeria)
- ¾ cup pizza sauce
- 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Drizzle the oil inside a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and toss it around to coat in oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 500℉.
- Spread the dough out onto a 12 to 15-inch pizza stone or similar sized baking sheet, pressing it out with your fingers.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly out on the dough, leaving a border of about ½-inch all around.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses on top, spreading them out evenly. Sprinkle on the dried oregano.
- Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
- Top with fresh basil leaves and serve.
Notes
- Pizza Dough: Fresh or frozen store-bought pizza dough works well. Thaw frozen dough completely before using.
- Pizza Stone: If using a pizza stone, follow the manufacturer’s preheating and temperature instructions. A baking sheet may also be used.
- Cheese: For the best melting results, use low-moisture mozzarella cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan adds extra flavor.
- Baking Time: Oven temperatures and crust thicknesses vary. Begin checking the pizza after 8 minutes.
- Leftovers: Refrigerate leftover pizza for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven, air fryer, or skillet for a crispier crust.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
