Quick Pizza Dough: A Family Favorite
Ack! I have been so busy that I didn’t lay out a single thing for dinner and haven’t been to the grocery store in a week. The kids are hungry, and my husband will be home soon. What in the world am I going to fix? It would be easier to just go grab a bite somewhere…
BUT WAIT!
This was literally my story today. If I could only place an icon so that you could smell the aroma wafting from the kitchen, maybe it’s just because I’m hungry at the moment, or maybe it just smells so good. Thanks to this quick pizza dough, dinner was ready within an hour of that chaos.
There have been days when I have come home, turned right back around, and or realized too late that I forgot to thaw something or make it to the store. This quick pizza dough recipe has saved me more times than I can count. The family loves it, and so do I. This recipe is so easy that I taught it to a group of students at our private school.
First things first, see the button above that says, “Jump to Recipe”? If you don’t want to read anything I have to say about flour substitutions, shredded cheese versus block cheese, and other ramblings I may have, then feel free to click it, and it will take you directly to the recipe. Super simple!
Why You’ll Love This Quick Pizza Dough
This is one of those dependable, back-pocket recipes that works when life feels rushed and dinner plans fall apart.
- Comes together quickly with pantry staples
- Flexible with flour choices
- Kid-friendly and easy to customize
- Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute pizza nights
Helpful Notes Before You Make This Quick Pizza Dough
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the recipe. There are a few options you have with this recipe, AND I don’t want you to make the same mistake I have over and over again (and still do—I did it tonight). If you notice the recipe, it calls for 2–2 ½ cups of flour. DO NOT use the full amount at the beginning. The first part of the recipe only calls for one cup. You will work your way up from there. It’s all about the feel of the dough. Once you get enough flour, your dough will feel smooth.
Flour is another thing I like to change out in this recipe. I prefer to use Kamut.
“What in the world is Kamut?!”
According to Dictionary.com, Kamut is a brand name for Khorasan wheat, an ancient grain. It has never been genetically modified, and it is low on the glycemic index. It is also higher than most grains in protein and fiber. Check out what Dr. Axe has to say about Kamut.
I am not a diabetic; however, I do have to watch my intake of carbs, of which Kamut is lower than regular flour (still not keto). I have personally experimented with testing my blood sugar levels with unbleached all-purpose flour and with Kamut. Kamut won! My numbers only increased by 3–4 points with Kamut. Whereas with normal flour, I could see a spike of 15-20+ points. It has felt wonderful to be able to add a slice of real sourdough bread with breakfast in the mornings and to be able to eat a slice or two of this yummy pizza.
Once again, I am not a doctor, and I am not diabetic. PLEASE use your discretion and do your research when trying out new things. I still use Unbleached All-Purpose flour for biscuits, my son’s absolute favorite, and French Bread, my daughter’s favorite. Yet, for me, Kamut is what I stick to.
If you are interested in more information on Kamut, purchasing it, or finding great recipes using it, I recommend The Food Nanny. She has been amazing at helping me learn how to use this flour in my everyday recipes.
Cheese Choices (Real Life Edition)
Next, let’s talk cheese. As you can see in my photo, I have two very picky eaters. My little boy will not eat any sauce on his pizza, and my daughter only likes cheese (sometimes pepperoni). I will not bore you with how we manage to fix my son’s pizza in all of this.
I prefer block cheese over shredded. Yes, it does take an extra step in prepping, but knowing there aren’t any additives or preservatives in it makes me feel much better. Block cheese remains whole without any of that.
Check your bag of shredded cheese next time you are out shopping. You might find some surprises in there.
Okay…okay! I don’t say all of this to scare you. If all you can afford and have time for is shredded cheese, do it! No judgment here. I only tell you these things because this has been me. I’ve gone for the convenient foods for that very reason; they are convenient and cheap (especially when you have a great coupon). There was just something inside of me that knew I needed to change what my family was eating. I started by cooking more at home and have gradually moved (and am still moving) toward more clean ingredients.
However, if you are able to change in baby steps, then why not try? Begin by making a point of cooking from scratch instead of using boxed foods. Change to unbleached all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour. These baby steps will make it easier to take those bigger steps.
Pan & Baking Tip
One last thing, I know some will ask, I used a 15″ cast iron pizza pan to bake this quick pizza dough, and it works beautifully for a crisp yet tender crust. Feel free to experiment with different pan sizes or even a deep dish style pizza.
Lately we’ve also switched things up to make pizza nights even easier and more fun—especially when everyone wants something a little different. Instead of using one large pan, we now divide the dough and let each person make their own individual pizza.
We use the PIEZANO Crispy Crust Pizza Oven by Granitestone (12-inch electric indoor pizza oven), and it has quickly become a family favorite. It heats up fast, cooks pizzas quickly, and gives that crisp, stone-baked crust without having to turn on a full-size oven.
This setup works especially well for picky eaters, different topping preferences, or simply letting the kids get involved in making their own pizzas. We just separate the dough, shape it, and let everyone customize their pizza before baking.
I’ve linked the PieZano pizza oven here if you’d like to check it out and see if it would work for your family.
👉 Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list, instructions, and printable recipe.
Enjoy a Simple Pizza Night at Home
I truly hope you try this recipe and find that it really is quick, easy, and forgiving. Sometimes the biggest win is just getting dinner on the table—and this quick pizza dough makes that possible even on the busiest days.
If you love simple, family-tested recipes like this one, you’ll feel right at home at Rooted Table—my once-a-month recipe email where I share new recipes, freezer-friendly tips, and a little encouragement for real-life home cooks.
I truly hope you try this quick pizza dough recipe and find that it really is fast and easy. Be sure to check out our recipes tab for more simple recipes!
Quick Pizza Dough
Equipment
- 1 10" – 12" pizza pan
Ingredients
- 2-2 ½ cups unbleached all purpose flour OR flour of your choice DIVIDED.
- 1 packet instant yeast (2 1/4 teaspoon)
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
- ¾ teaspoons salt
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon dried oregano optional
- 2 tablespoons olive oil + additional
- ¾ cup warm water
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and oregano.
- Add olive oil and warm water.
- Gradually add another cup of flour. Add additional flour as needed, stirring until the dough is forming into a cohesive elastic ball.
- Drizzle bowl with olive oil.
- Shape dough into ball, place in bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow dough to rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425 °F
- Rollout dough into pan of your choice. Place olive oil on top of dough. Add sauce and your choice of toppings.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
