If you're looking for a fun and easy way to bring family and friends together, try our guide on how to make pizza with store-bought dough. This DIY approach allows everyone to personalize their pizza with their favorite toppings, making it a hit for the kids and adults.
Need a pairing suggestion? Try our Garden Fresh Salad or this delicious Arugula Prosciutto Salad and some fresh garlic bread!
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Hosting a DIY pizza night is a fun and delicious way to bring family and friends together. With endless topping possibilities, everyone can create their perfect slice of homemade pizza. Whether you're a fan of classic pepperoni, love a veggie-loaded pie, or crave something unique, this guide has you covered.
If you like this Italian recipe, you may also love our Sunday Gravy with Short Ribs or our Bucatini Cacio e Pepe.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Fun for Everyone: A great activity for kids and adults alike.
- Endless Creativity: Customize your pizza with your favorite toppings.
- Perfect for Entertaining: A hit at parties and family gatherings.
- Simple and Delicious: Easy to prepare with delicious results.
Ingredients
- Store-Bought Pizza Dough: Convenient and easy to use.
- Pizza Sauce: Classic tomato sauce, pesto, or white sauce.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Provides a creamy, melty texture.
- Olive Oil: For brushing the crust.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds additional flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Enhances the taste.
- Flour: For dusting.
- Toppings of Choice: Pepperoni slices, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, black olives, sausage crumbles, sliced onions, fresh spinach, feta, ham, pineapple chunks, prosciutto, arugula, burrata, and fresh basil leaves.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Select the Best Toppings
- Freshness Matters: Use fresh vegetables and high-quality meats for the best taste.
- Balance Flavors: Combine savory, sweet, and spicy toppings for a balanced pizza.
- Consider Texture: Mix crunchy toppings like bell peppers with soft ones like mushrooms.
Substitutions & Variations
- Store-Bought Pizza Dough: Use gluten-free dough for a gluten-free option.
- Cheese: Substitute dairy-free cheese for a vegan pizza.
- Sauce: Try Alfredo sauce, pesto, or a garlic butter topping.
- Vegetarian: Load up on veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach.
- Meat Lover's: Pile on pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon.
- Gourmet: Add ingredients like arugula, goat cheese, and prosciutto.
How to Make Pizza with Store-Bought Dough: A DIY Topping Night
STEP ONE: Prepare the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll out the store-bought pizza dough to your desired thickness.
Set your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a baking sheet or sheet pan inside to heat.
STEP TWO: Add the Sauce and Cheese
Evenly spread your choice of pizza sauce over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
STEP THREE: Add Toppings
Let everyone add their favorite toppings to create unique slices. Mix and match to try different combinations.
Drizzle olive oil over the toppings and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
STEP FOUR: Bake and Enjoy
Transfer the assembled pizza to the preheated baking sheet or sheet pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve hot and enjoy your custom creations!
Storage
Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, allow the cooked pizza to cool completely, Slice it, then wrap individual slices in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag or container. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Make sure your oven and pizza stone or baking sheet are fully preheated for a crispy crust.
✔️ DO Spread toppings evenly to avoid soggy spots.
Recipe FAQs
Store-bought pizza dough should be kept in its original packaging or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It typically lasts for up to 5 days when properly stored.
Yes, you can freeze store-bought pizza dough. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight.
To achieve a crispy crust with store-bought pizza dough, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and use a pizza stone or a preheated baking sheet. Roll out the dough thinly and bake the pizza at a high temperature , usually about 10-12 minutes. Brushing the edges with olive oil before baking can also help with crispiness.
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📖 Recipe
How to Make Pizza with Store-Bought Dough: A DIY Topping Night
Equipment
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Rolling Pin
- Pizza Cutter
- Mixing bowls
- Baking parchment (if needed)
Ingredients
- 1 ball of store-bought pizza dough
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- flour for dusting
- Toppings of choice: pepperoni slices, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, black olives, sausage crumbles, sliced onions, fresh spinach, feta, ham, pineapple chunks, prosciutto, arugula, burrata, and fresh basil leaves.
Instructions
- Remove store-bought pizza dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
- On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness.
- Transfer the rolled-out dough to a baking sheet or a pizza peel if using a pizza stone.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Distribute your chosen toppings evenly over the cheese.
- Drizzle olive oil over the toppings and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- If using a pizza stone, carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated stone in the oven. If using a baking sheet, place it directly in the oven.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Slice and serve hot.
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Notes
- Store-Bought Pizza Dough: Use gluten-free dough for a gluten-free option.
- Cheese: Substitute dairy-free cheese for a vegan pizza.
- Sauce: Try Alfredo sauce, pesto, or a garlic butter topping.
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