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Close-up of a slice of pizza with melted mozzarella, tomato sauce, and fresh basil for Pizza Night Recipes.

Why Everyone Loves This Pizza Night Recipes (+ Make-Ahead Tips)

Discover popular pizza night ideas and learn about make-ahead tips for family fun. This recipe offers a delicious way to enjoy pizza while accommodating dietary needs.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 4 pies
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Fusion, Italian

Ingredients
  

Making the Dough
  • 500 gram all-purpose flour plus more for shaping the dough
  • 1 gram active dry yeast 1/4 teaspoon
  • 16 gram fine sea salt 2 teaspoons
  • 350 gram water 1 1/2 cups
Assembling and Baking the Margherita Pie
  • 4 balls pizza dough from above
  • 1 28-ounce can best quality peeled Italian tomatoes or fresh, peeled Roma tomatoes, if they're in season
  • 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese torn into large chunks
  • 20 fresh basil leaves or to taste
  • 3/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. For the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add the water and mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours, or until doubled in size. You can also refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days for make-ahead convenience.
  2. For assembling and baking: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
  3. On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball. Gently stretch or roll out each dough ball into your desired pizza shape.
  4. In a bowl, lightly crush the canned tomatoes with your hands or a fork. Stir in the olive oil and salt.
  5. Spread a thin layer of the tomato mixture over each pizza dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Top with torn mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
  6. Carefully transfer the pizzas to the preheated oven (onto the baking sheet or pizza stone). Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
  7. Let the pizzas cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

For a low-carb option, consider using a cauliflower crust recipe. This recipe is designed for flexibility, allowing you to prepare the dough ahead of time for a quicker pizza night. Adjust toppings to your family's preferences.

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