easy weeknight pizza

Pizza is one of my favorite things to eat. Ever.
But ordering delivery can sometimes mean a long wait, a big bill, and lots of grease.
(Plus, Husband and I don't always agree on toppings)

So I put my mind to learning how to make pizza at home, the easy way.

Yep, that came out of my oven... and it only took 30 minutes to make from start to finish!

The secret? Pizza Crust Yeast.

They sell this stuff for cheap at the grocery store. It comes in a 3-pack strip.

Each pack contains enough yeast for one large regular crust pizza, or for 2 medium thin crust pizzas.

Everything else you need to make it should be in your cupboard already!

1 envelope pizza crust yeast

1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup very warm tap water

3 tablespoons oil

1 3/4 to 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

(you can use whole wheat flour if you like)

Start by combining 1 cup of flour with the rest of the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add in your hot water and olive oil, stir until all ingredients have been moistened.

Then add in 3/4 to 1 1/4 additional cups of flour, 1/2 cup at a time.

Mix until a dough ball forms. If it is too sticky, add more flour. If it is too dry, add more oil.

Knead the dough ball for 4 or 5 minutes on a floured surface. Split in 2 if you plan to make 2 pizzas,

then shape into a disc. Roll out into a round shape of desired thickness with a rolling pin.

Preheat your oven to 425 F. If you have a pizza stone (we got one from our registry 

and it's awesome) let that pre-heat in your oven as well. If not, a round pan will work just fine.

Here's a hint if you have trouble with your dough not being cooked all the way through: 

pre-bake the pizza crust for 5 to 10 minutes before you add the toppings!

Start with a layer of sauce- since this is easy pizza I used jar sauce!

Pile on whatever toppings you're hungry for or have in the fridge...

this one has hot pepper spread, red onions, and prosciutto.

Top with fresh mozzarella! or other cheese...

(Also note that you can put the toppings on over the sauce and cheese if you like)

Bake 12-15 minutes until the cheese is melty and delicious.

Here's a peek at the second pizza baking on the stone...

This one had olive oil, red onion, goat cheese, and a balsamic-fig mixture we found at the store.

The key to making this an easy dinner is using whatever you have on hand! I've started keeping 

yeast packets, pizza sauce, and mozzarella on hand at all times.  That way, no matter what meats 

or veggies we have in the fridge can me transformed into dinner.

Other great combinations we've tried:

pepperoni, onion, red and green peppers with mozzarella

olive oil, artichoke, and parmesan

chicken or turkey, barbecue sauce, jalapenos, onions

What are your favorite pizza topping combinations?