The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Pizza night in 60 minutes? It’s possible with this no-fuss, quick pizza dough recipe! Ditch the delivery and enjoy fresh, homemade pizza perfection faster than you can say “cheese!”
This recipe makes two large 16-inch pizzas and costs just $12.44 to make and $1.56 per serving!
What You’ll Love About this One-Hour Pizza Recipe:
- Convenient Directions: We’ve included instructions for making the dough in a stand mixer, food processor, or by hand so anyone can make this dough.
- Crowd Pleaser: This recipe makes two large pizzas, making plenty for everyone.
- Quick and easy rise: The dough only needs 15-20 minutes to rise, which is much faster than traditional pizza dough recipes. This is great for busy people who want a quick and easy meal.
Quick Pizza Dough Ingredients and Cost:
- 1 ¾ cup warm water – $0.00
- 2 Tablespoons instant yeast – $1.44
- 3 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil divided – $0.42
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt – $0.02
- 4 ¼ cups bread flour (22 ounces) – $1.20
- 1 teaspoon yellow cornmeal – $0.01
- 14 oz jar pizza sauce – $1.79
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese – $0.88
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese – $4.28
- 3 oz sliced pepperoni – $2.40
The cost of the recipe is calculated based on the amounts needed. To learn more about how we price our recipes, see Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in February 2024.
How To Make One Hour Pizza Recipe:
***For complete recipe instructions and a recipe video, see the recipe card below.
- First, make the dough according to your preferred method. Scroll to the recipe card to see how to make the dough by hand, in a stand mixer, or food processor.
- Then, oil the bowl, coat the dough, cover, and let rise for 15-20 min. Put a pizza stone on the oven rack and preheat the oven to 500°F.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into two pieces.
- Roll one half of the dough into a 12″ circle.
- Transfer the dough to a 16-inch greased pan. Stretch the dough gently to 16 inches. If needed, relax the dough for 5 minutes. Brush the outer crust with oil.
- Spread half of the sauce over the dough.
- Sprinkle half of the Parmesan and mozzarella over the sauce.
- Top with half of the pepperoni.
- Bake directly on the stone for 8-12 min until golden & bubbly. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
One-Hour Pizza Flavor and Recipe Variations
Homemade pizza opens a world of flavor possibilities. Let your creativity loose, and encourage your kids to build their masterpieces! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Classic Toppings: Pepperoni, cheese, sausage, olives, bell peppers, pineapple, ham, onions, mushrooms, bacon.
Beyond the Basics: BBQ sauce, chicken, roasted vegetables, pesto, ricotta cheese, goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
Remember: Less is more! Aim for around 4 ounces of toppings per pizza to avoid a soggy mess.
Tip: Roast vegetables beforehand for extra flavor and to prevent a watery crust.
Pepperoni Pizza Storage Tips
SERVE: Savor your pizza fresh for up to 90 minutes at room temperature.
STORE: Keep pizza leftovers fridge-fresh by storing them in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil. They’ll last for several days.
FREEZE: Wrap cooled slices individually in foil and store them in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. When you’re ready to reheat, put a slice on a baking sheet and warm it in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until it’s heated through and the crust regains its crispness.
Quick Pizza Dough Recipe FAQs:
Is yeast necessary for pizza dough?
Yeast is an essential ingredient in a pizza dough recipe. It might be the most critical ingredient! Without the yeast, the dough will not rise. Dough that has not risen will not make a delicious pizza, so remember to add the yeast!
How long should you knead pizza dough?
People sometimes avoid working with dough because they are unsure how to knead it or when it is done. The unwritten rule for kneading is 2-3 minutes in a mixer or 10-12 minutes by hand.
How do you activate yeast for pizza dough?
First, pour the warm water into a bowl and stir in the yeast. Let it sit for a few minutes, and bubbles begin forming as the yeast dissolves. Once this happens, the yeast is activated.
How long to cook pizza in oven?
Cook the pizza for 8-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Get kids involved in making this Pepperoni Pizza recipe
- Ages 2-3: Little helping hands can pour the flour and yeast mixture into the mixer or bowl. For the hand-kneaded dough, they’ll love helping squish and stretch the dough with you (adult supervision, please!).
- Ages 4-5: Level up their mixing skills! Let them mix the flour and yeast mixture themselves. Teach them the magic of turning the mixer on and off.
- Ages 6-8: Time to learn a new skill! Teach them about kneading the dough, and let them be your little helper. They can unleash their creativity by choosing their toppings for the pizza.
- Ages 9-11: Supervise them as they follow the recipe, but let them take the lead. Please encourage them to read the recipe twice before starting to ensure pizza-making success.
- Ages 12+: They’re the pizza masters now! Let them prepare the entire recipe independently while you relax and enjoy the delicious outcome.
What to Serve with 1-Hour Pepperoni Pizza:
- Our Caesar Salad would be a delicious addition to this pizza to make a complete meal.
More Pizza Recipes:
Quick Pizza Dough Budget Tips
Have a multi-family pizza party. If everyone splits the cost of the dough and toppings, this will be a pretty affordable meal to feed a crowd. It costs almost as much to order one pizza as it does to make our recipe with two homemade pizzas!
Another thing we like to do to cut down on costs is make homemade pizza sauce.
More From Easy Budget Recipes:
1 Hour Pepperoni Pizza
Equipment
- stand mixer OR food processor OR large bowl with wooden spoon
- large bowl or proofing container with a lid
- rolling pin
- pizza stone
- 2, 16-inch pizza pans
Ingredients
FOR THE PIZZA DOUGH
- 1 ¾ cup warm water between 90-100 degrees F
- 2 Tablespoons instant yeast
- 3 ½ Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 4 ¼ cups bread flour (22 ounces) plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon yellow cornmeal
FOR THE PIZZAS
- 14 oz jar pizza sauce
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 oz sliced pepperoni
Instructions
MAKE THE DOUGH:
- Measure water into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, then add yeast and stir it.
- Let the mixture sit until yeast is dissolved and a bit frothy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in 2 tablespoons of olive oil to yeast mixture.
MIXING BY STAND MIXER DIRECTIONS (our preferred method):
- Meanwhile, in a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix bread flour and salt until combined.
- With the mixer running on low, slowly pour in the yeast mixture and mix until a cohesive dough forms.
- Stop the mixer and switch to a dough hook. Knead on medium speed until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- Form the dough into a smooth, round ball and proceed to the steps of "Let the Dough Rise."
MIXING BY FOOD PROCESSOR DIRECTIONS:
- Add flour and salt to the work bowl of a food processor and pulse with a steel blade to combine.
- Slowly pour in liquid ingredients and pulse until a cohesive dough ball forms.
- Process until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 30 seconds longer.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it by hand for a few seconds to form a smooth, round ball. Proceed to the steps of "Let the Dough Rise."
MIXING BY HAND DIRECTIONS:
- In a large bowl, combine the salt and half of the flour.
- Add the yeast mixture and mix until combined using a sturdy wooden spoon.
- Add the rest of the flour and mix until a cohesive dough forms.
- Lightly flour a countertop and move the dough onto the floured surface.
- Knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes, using minimal flour while kneading.
- Form dough into a smooth, round ball and proceed to the steps of "Let the Dough Rise."
LET THE DOUGH RISE:
- Lightly oil a large bowl or container with ½ tablespoon of olive oil.
- Move the dough to the prepared bowl or container and roll it around to coat it lightly.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or put on the container’s lid, and let the dough rise until double in size, about 15-20 minutes.
- While the dough is rising, move the oven rack to the second-highest position. Place a pizza stone on the rack and preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
ROLL OUT AND TOP THE PIZZA:
- Punch the dough down to deflate it. Divide the dough into two, and move one half to a lightly floured countertop. Cover the other half with plastic wrap.
- Roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle.
- Then, transfer the dough to a lightly greased 16-inch pizza pan sprinkled with ½ teaspoon of cornmeal.
- Gently stretch the dough so it fills the pan. If the dough snaps back while trying to press and stretch it, cover it with a damp paper towel and let it relax for 5 minutes before starting again to get the dough to 16 inches.
- Brush ½ tablespoon of olive oil around the outer edge of the dough.
TOP AND BAKE:
- Spread half the jar of sauce over the dough.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup of Parmesan and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the pizza, followed by half of the pepperoni.
- Place the pizza pan directly on top of the pizza stone. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing it into eight pieces and serving.
- Repeat with the remaining dough, olive oil, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni.
Krissy Allori says
This pizza was a big hit with the family. We’ll be making it again for pizza night soon.
Jess Jankowski says
Oh that is so great! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback!
Sharon says
There is nothing like a great homemade pizza along with the homemade pizza crust! This crust is great because it seems easy to make.
Jess Jankowski says
The homemade pizza crust is my favorite part!
Whitney says
It looks so delicious and simple to make!
Jess Jankowski says
It really is quick and yummy!
Caitlyn Erhardt says
Pizza is always a YES in my book! This looks great and love how fast it comes together!
Jess Jankowski says
YES, YES, YES!
Jacque Hastert says
I love how easy and budget friendly this pizza recipe is. My family would love this for our Friday nights. We usually order in, but now I can do it for MUCH cheaper.
Jess Jankowski says
Hearing this is making me do my happy dance! LOVE it!
Ashley says
This pepperoni pizza is a favorite in our house! So easy and delicious.
Jess Jankowski says
Woo hoo! Thank you!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I’m making this for the weekend, I bet everyone is going to devour it!
Jess Jankowski says
Awesome! Let us know how it turns out!
Wendy Collins says
The pizza was a big hit with everyone and so easy to make!!!9
Jess Jankowski says
You can never go wrong with pizza, right?!