Cheese Pizza

5 from 1 vote

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A Classic Cheese Pizza is hard to beat, and this one could not be easier to make. Featuring a crust that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, this pizza is topped with two kinds of cheese for maximum flavor.

baked cheese pizza recipe on a tray.
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Who doesn’t like cheese pizza? Next time you’re craving some pizza, try making it at home instead of picking up a frozen one from the grocery store. This homemade pizza could not be easier to make and can be whipped together before your oven is finished preheating.

Our homemade pizza crust is nice and chewy on the outside while the outside develops a sharp crunch in the oven. Making your own pizza dough allows you to control how big your pizzas are. We like to divide this dough into personal size pizzas and let the kids all top their own. You will love how much fun your kids have helping you prep these pizzas and will be amazed at how delicious they taste!

Serving cheese pizza with a fresh salad with cucumbers and tomatoes offers a refreshing contrast, while easy breadsticks provides a buttery complement. Spicy chicken wings add a savory kick, and various dipping sauces, like ranch or marinara, enhance flavors, creating a well-rounded meal.

one slice of cheese pizza on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • The dough is quick and easy to make.
  • Using multiple cheeses adds flavor and depth to the pizza.
  • These pizzas are easy to customize with your favorite pizza toppings.

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each with raw ingredient to make cheese pizza recipe.
  • Warm Water—To bloom the yeast.
  • Active Dry Yeast—Gives the dough its chewy texture.
  • Honey—Adds a little bit of sweetness to the crust and helps feed the yeast.
  • Olive Oil—Locks in the moisture of your pizza crust.
  • Flour—All-purpose.
  • Cheese—A combination of parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
  • Marinara Sauce—Feel free to use your favorite kind of red sauce.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Cheese Pizza

clear mixing bowl showing the progress of making pizza dough.
clear mixing bowl showing the progress of making pizza dough.

Step #1. Preheat your oven. Stir together the yeast and water in a large bowl using a whisk or wooden spoon. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow it to sit until the yeast is foamy.

Step #2. Stir in the olive oil and honey until just combined. Add the flour and continue whisking until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

round pizza tray with raw dough on top.
round pizza tray with raw dough on top with cheese and sauce.

Step #3. Dump your dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead it by hand. Divide the dough into two equally sized balls and roll them out into flat discs. 

Step #4. Top your pizza with marinara sauce and cheese and then cook your pizzas until the cheese is bubbly. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What kind of cheese will melt best?

We like to use a combination of mozzarella and parmesan cheese on our pizzas. The mozzarella cheese adds a gooey`element to the pizza while the parmesan cheese adds some sharpness. When it comes to parmesan cheese, you can use bottled or freshly grated cheese. However, we found that freshly shredded mozzarella melted down better than bagged cheese.

Do I need to let my pizza dough rise?

While some pizza dough recipes require up to 3 hours of rise time, our dough does not require any rising time! Giving the dough a quick knead will help develop the gluten that gives your pizza dough a chewy texture.

baked cheese pizza recipe on a round baking sheet.

How to Store and Reheat Your Leftover Pizza

You can store your leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also wrap your pizza in tin foil if you don’t have any available rubbermaid containers. To reheat your pizza, simply throw a slice or two onto a plate and zap it in the microwave for 45 seconds, or until the cheese is gooey.

If you have a little more time on your hands then you can reheat your pizza on the stovetop. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan and then add your pizza. Cook your pizza for 2-3 minutes and then add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Immediately cover the pan with a lid and turn the heat to low. Allow your pizza to cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey.

Expert Tips

  • Using a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese gives your pizza a balance of mild and sharp flavors. 
  • The pizza dough recipe listed above makes enough for two 12-inch pizzas. However, you can divide the dough into smaller balls if you want to make personal pizzas.
  • Freshly grated mozzarella cheese will melt better than pre shredded cheese, but feel free to use what you have on hand. As far as Parmesan goes, it doesn’t really matter if you use freshly grated or bottled cheese. 
  • For some extra flavor on your crust, brush it with butter and then sprinkle it with Italian seasoning before adding your sauce and cheese. 
  • You can store your pizza in the fridge for 4 days and reheat a slice or two in the microwave for 45 seconds, or until the cheese is gooey.

More Pizza Recipes To Consider

baked cheese pizza recipe on a tray.
5 from 1 vote

Cheese Pizza

A Classic Cheese Pizza, with its crispy yet chewy crust and dual-cheese topping, offers unbeatable flavor and easy preparation.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 12-inch pizzas

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • ½ tablespoon honey
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 450°F.
  • Quickly stir together the dry yeast and water in a large mixing bowl using a whisk or wooden spoon. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow it to sit for 5 minutes, or until the yeast begins to get foamy.
  • Add the olive oil and honey. Give the mixture another quick stir.
  • Gently whisk in the flour until a shaggy dough forms and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Transfer your dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it by hand for a few minutes. Divide your dough into two balls and roll them each out into flat discs.
  • Transfer your pizza dough to lightly oiled pizza pans and top them with the marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake your pizza for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Using a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese gives your pizza a balance of mild and sharp flavors.
  • The pizza dough recipe listed above makes enough for two 12-inch pizzas.
  • Freshly grated mozzarella cheese will melt better than pre shredded cheese, but feel free to use what you have on hand. As far as Parmesan goes, it doesn’t really matter if you use freshly grated or bottled cheese.
  • For some extra flavor on your crust, brush it with butter and then sprinkle it with
  • Italian seasoning before adding your sauce and cheese.
  • You can store your pizza in the fridge for 4 days and reheat a slice or two in the microwave for 45 seconds, or until the cheese is gooey.

Nutrition

Calories: 1283kcal, Carbohydrates: 164g, Protein: 55g, Fat: 45g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 17g, Cholesterol: 110mg, Sodium: 2016mg, Potassium: 899mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 1769IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 841mg, Iron: 11mg
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