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Family-Friendly Easy Pizza Recipes - Simple, Fun, and Delicious

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Bases: Store-bought pizza dough, pre-baked crusts, naan, tortillas, or English muffins
  • Sauces: Jarred marinara or pizza sauce; olive oil and garlic for white pizza; pesto for a fresh twist
  • Cheese: Shredded mozzarella, fresh mozzarella, Parmesan, or dairy-free shredded cheese
  • Proteins: Pepperoni, cooked sausage, shredded rotisserie chicken, bacon bits, or sliced deli ham
  • Veggies: Bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, olives, cherry tomatoes, spinach, broccoli florets, or pineapple
  • Seasonings: Dried oregano, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper
  • Finishing touches: Fresh basil, arugula, drizzle of olive oil, balsamic glaze, or honey
  • Tools: Sheet pan or pizza stone, parchment paper, rolling pin (or your hands), and a pizza cutter

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven. Set it to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it heats. Hot surfaces make crispier crusts.
  2. Prep the dough or base. If using fresh dough, let it rest at room temperature for 20–30 minutes so it stretches easily. For flatbreads, tortillas, or English muffins, you can skip resting.
  3. Shape the crust. Lightly flour a surface and roll or press the dough into a 10–12 inch circle. Thinner dough bakes crisper; thicker dough stays chewier. Transfer to parchment for easy moving.
  4. Sauce it lightly. Spread 2–3 tablespoons of sauce, leaving a small border. Too much sauce can lead to soggy pizza.
  5. Add cheese and toppings. Sprinkle a light layer of mozzarella, then your chosen toppings. Avoid overloading—aim for a single, even layer so everything cooks through.
  6. Season smart. Add a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a sprinkle of oregano. For heat-lovers, a tiny bit of crushed red pepper goes a long way.
  7. Bake until golden. Slide the pizza (on parchment) onto the hot stone or a sheet pan. Bake 10–14 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is browned on the edges.
  8. Finish and rest. Let the pizza sit for 2–3 minutes before cutting. Add fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, or a swipe of balsamic glaze if you like.
  9. Make it a family assembly line. For kids, set out small bowls of toppings and let everyone build their own mini pizzas. Bake several at once on a sheet pan.