Favorite pizza dough

16 Jul, 2026

We've been having pizza and a movie for dinner on Thursday nights for over 6 years and we all love it! Here's some evidence I could find from 2024 (when Dory was 2 and Joan was 6 -- I need to take more pictures!)

We prefer to make it, but of course we order sometimes when life is super busy. I've tried a lot of recipes (including using a bread machine, which i really liked, too!). Just tried this recipe tonight and I think its a keeper (fit like a glove into our afternoon routine).

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water (105 degrees F)
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 to 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 500°F with a pizza stone inside. Heat for 10 min. (We just use a baking sheet and 475°F)
2. In a large bowl, mix: 1 cup warm water, 1 TBSP yeast, 1 TBSP sugar
3. Let sit 5 minutes, until foamy.
4. Stir in olive oil.
5. Add 2 cups flour and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
6. Add more flour as needed until the dough is soft but not sticky.
7. Knead on a floured surface until smooth (about 5 minutes).
8. (Optional) Cover and let rise for 10–60 minutes.
9. Roll out the dough on parchment paper (I like to cut it in 2, and make 2 round pizzas).
10. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings.
11. Slide the pizza (on the parchment) onto the hot pizza stone.
12. Bake 11–14 minutes, until the crust is golden.
13. Cool 5 minutes, then slice and enjoy.

I love a recipe that is very forgiving, really easy to remember (so many 1 TBSP!), and doesn't need complicated timing steps. This one you just let the yeast rise for 5 min (I reset the kitchen while I wait), add the rest of the ingredients, and then mix! I use the dough hook in my kitchen aid for 6 min or so, and then kneed a little after.

I love that I don't have to remember to start it early. It's ready really soon (but you can let it rise if you want to!).

#recipes