Do you know making pizza at home with store bought dough? Pizza is a beloved dish that has become a staple in households around the world. While ordering pizza delivery may be convenient, theres nothing quite like the taste and satisfaction of homemade pizza. Making pizza at home may seem daunting, but with store-bought dough, its easier than ever before. With just a few simple tips and tricks, you can create a delicious pizza using pre-made dough that rivals your favorite pizzeria. Whether you prefer classic toppings like pepperoni and cheese or more creative combinations, making pizza at home with store bought dough is the perfect way to satisfy your pizza cravings. So why not give it a try and discover the joy of making pizza at home?
Table of Contents
Step-by-step guide to making pizza at home with store bought dough
- Where to buy fresh pizza dough pre-made
- How to store pizza dough so its ready for pizza night any day of the week
- Tips for getting pizza dough to rise
- Techniques for stretching store bought dough (once you learn my tips for how to stretch pizza dough for sheet pan pizza, youll be a pro)
- How to pre bake pizza crust before adding toppings
- Pizza toppings
- The best oven temperature for pizza made at home
At the end of this post is one of my favorite home pizza recipe ideas.
With a few tips, you can turn premade dough into delicious, chewy pizza crust.
Ready for 10+ years worth of secrets and tips for making pizza at home with store bought dough?
First, you have to know how to get premade dough to rise… my method will help the ready made pizza dough double in size at room temperature.
Making Pizza At Home With Store Bought Dough
Have frozen dough from the grocery store? Check out this tasty pizza with frozen premade pizza crust.
Shop at Whole Foods? Check out my BBQ chicken recipe on Whole Foods pizza dough.
How to get pizza dough to rise
Many people struggle with the very first step of making pizza at home with store bought dough. Thats because stretching store bought dough is difficult when its cold.
Pizza dough needs at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours to rise, outside of the fridge.
Heres an easy trick to allow the dough plenty of time to rise. Set it near a window or wrap it in a kitchen towel and set it on the counter. If youre short on time, use a kitchen towel straight out of the dryer - a little heat will help.
Heres another trick. If youre making pizza at home soon after buying ingredients at the store, let the pre-made dough sit by a sunny car window on the ride home. Growing up, thats what my mom always did.
How to shape pizza dough
Shaping rectangle pizza for a sheet pan is very, very easy once you get the hang of it.
Watch the video with the recipe at the bottom of this page for step by step instructions.
Or follow these step-by-step photo instructions to lean how to stretch pizza dough.
Making Pizza At Home With Store Bought Dough
Step 1-2.
Lightly flour a large work space like a butcher block, cutting board, or clean counter.
Press both sides of the fresh dough against the lightly floured surface.
Step 3-4.
First, work the outside of the pizza dough by pinching it with your fingers to make the crust.
Next, working against a flat surface, move to the center of the dough and push the dough outward to make a larger base. As you expand the dough, pick up a light dusting of flour, which will help the size of the dough grow.
Step 5.
Once the dough has spread as far as possible against the cutting board, gently pick up the dough.
With your hands under the dough, use your knuckles to stretch the dough in vertical and horizontal motions.
Adding a little flour will help the dough expand.
Step 6-8.
Work the dough until it is expands enough to cover your sheet pan.
Go back and forth between pushing the dough and using your knuckles as needed.
Add light dustings of flour as needed to help the dough retain the progress youve made. Dont worry about the dough being a perfect shape. All pizzas are beautiful.
At any time, patch holes as they appear by folding over the dough.
Step 9.
Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and a drizzle of olive oil.
Step 10.
Gently transfer the pizza dough to the baking sheet.
Push out the premade dough as far as it will go towards the edge of the baking sheet.
Shaping round pizza is similar, but you will begin by forming the dough into a perfectly round ball. Follow the instructions above, but instead of pulling the dough in vertical and horizontal motions, youll want to stretch the dough in a circular motion. Its easy to make a classic round pizza with this ventilated pizza pan.
Dont add toppings yet! First, par-bake the premade dough
Its super important to pre bake the pizza crust once before adding pizza toppings.
Follow the recipe at the end of this post for details on how to to par-bake the pizza dough at 450 degrees in the middle rack of the oven.
After the dough bakes naked, add the toppings and bake the pizza
When making pizza at home, its crucial to using a really high temperature, once you add the toppings, to get restaurant quality pizza.
After par-baking the pizza dough, add the toppings and finish baking pizza in the oven at 500 degrees until the cheese melts. This final bake will take about 7-10 minutes.
The Advantages of Using Store Bought Dough for Homemade Pizza
Making Pizza At Home With Store Bought Dough
Using store bought dough for homemade pizza has a number of advantages that make it a popular choice for home cooks. Here are some of the benefits of using store bought dough for homemade pizza:
Convenience: Store bought pizza dough is readily available in most grocery stores, making it a convenient option for those who dont have the time or desire to make their own dough from scratch.
Consistency: Store bought pizza dough is made in large batches and is designed to have a consistent texture and flavor, which means you can expect reliable results every time you use it.
Versatility: Store bought pizza dough can be used in a variety of recipes, including traditional pizza, calzones, stromboli, and more.
Affordability: Store bought pizza dough is often less expensive than making your own dough from scratch, which can be a cost-effective option for feeding a crowd.
Time-saving: Using store bought dough can save time in the kitchen, allowing you to focus on preparing toppings and other ingredients instead of spending time making dough.
Click at puff pastry pizza recipe to learn similar tips for your meal!
Where to buy premade store bought pizza dough
Buy fresh premade pizza dough at a local bakery, Trader Joes or Whole Foods.
Trader Joes also has a garlic & herb pizza dough thats quite tasty. See my post on Trader Joes Pizza Dough Tips or see more dried fig and prosciutto flatbread pizza if you want!
How to store pizza dough in the fridge or freezer
If you dont plan to use store bought pizza dough for a few days or weeks, keep it fresh in the fridge or freezer.
In the fridge, premade pizza dough will stay fresh for a few days.
In the freezer, pizza dough can last a couple of months. When youre ready to defrost pizza dough, move it to the fridge overnight. Then take it out in the morning to expand in time for dinner.
My freezer is always stocked with pizza dough and frozen cheese. And my pantry is always stocked with pizza seasoning and pizza sauce. And, thanks to my husband, my fridge is always stocked with craft beer to go with the pizza.
So, how to store Ta-co style ground beef pizza recipe, learn right now!
Pizza topping ideas
Sauce - Classic red pizza sauce, BBQ sauce, Alfredo sauce, or a simple garlic and olive oil for a white pizza, as used in this pear and goat cheese pizza.
Cheese - Traditional mozzarella is a popular melting cheese, as is fontina and cheddar. If youre looking for a cheese with bold flavor, try bleu cheese, smoked gouda or goat cheese sprinkled on top of a melting cheese.
Meats, fruit and veggies - If youre looking for something outside of traditional toppings (pepperoni, ham, sous vide chicken, sausage, sous vide bacon,), get creative with seasonal fruits and vegetables.
For fruits, try roasted cherry tomatoes, grilled pineapple, pears, cherries, and apples.
For vegetables, try butternut squash, zucchini and caramelized red onions. And dont forget about fresh herbs for pizza! Add delicate herbs like basil after the pizza is done baking in the oven.
Heres a unique way to add flavor… make Smoked Traeger pizza - right on the pellet grill.
Tasty tips + notes for making homemade pizza
- Avoid the struggle of stretching pizza dough by letting it rise in advance.
- Never add toppings to raw pizza dough.
- Cook the pizza twice. First, cook the premade dough naked without any toppings. On the second trip to the oven, add all the ingredients and cook the pizza until the cheese melts and the crust is golden brown.
- Brush olive oil around the perimeter of the dough to create a golden crust.
- Season the crust. Sprinkle the crust with parmesan and a light sprinkle of salt.
- Add any fresh herbs, like basil, after the pizza is done baking (so the herbs dont wilt)
- Pizza is great for game day served with sous vide chicken wings with bleu cheese dressing
One of my favorite pizzas is BBQ chicken pizza. Learn how to make chicken breast in under 20 minutes so you can add it to pizza, too. Then to click pita bread pizza recipe to know more tips!
Conclusion
Making pizza at home with store bought dough is an easy and satisfying way to enjoy homemade pizza without the hassle of making dough from scratch. With just a few simple tips and tricks, you can create a delicious pizza that rivals your favorite pizzeria. Whether youre short on time or looking for a fun family activity, making pizza at home with store-bought dough is a great way to enjoy a delicious meal that everyone will love. So why not try it out and enjoy the convenience and deliciousness of homemade pizza right in your own kitchen with The Blue Stove?
FAQs of making pizza at home with store bought dough
How should I prepare for making pizza at home with store bought dough?
Before using store-bought pizza dough, allow it to come to room temperature by leaving it at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. This makes the dough easier to work with and helps it to rise properly. You can also sprinkle some flour on a clean surface and roll out the dough to your desired thickness.
What are some good toppings for making pizza at home with store bought dough?
Some good toppings for homemade pizza with store-bought dough include tomato sauce, cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, etc.), vegetables (mushrooms, onions, peppers, olives), cured meats (pepperoni, sausage, ham), and fresh herbs (basil, oregano, thyme). You can also experiment with different combinations of toppings to create your own unique pizza.
How long should I bake homemade pizza with store-bought dough?
The baking time for homemade pizza with store-bought dough can vary depending on the thickness of the crust and the toppings used. Generally, pizzas are baked at 450°F (230°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
Can homemade pizza with store-bought dough be frozen and reheated later?
Yes, homemade pizza with store-bought dough can be frozen and reheated later. After baking the pizza, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and placing it in the freezer. To reheat the pizza, preheat your oven or toaster oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the pizza on a baking sheet for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through.
