🍕 Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Recipe

🧾 Description

This Ultimate Cheesy Pizza is everything a pizza lover dreams of—golden, crispy crust, rich tomato sauce, and layers of gooey, stretchy melted cheese. Perfect for family dinners, parties, or satisfying late-night cravings, this recipe walks you through making a restaurant-quality pizza right at home.

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⏱️ Prep & Cook Time

• Prep Time: 25 minutes

• Rise Time: 1–2 hours

• Cook Time: 12–15 minutes

• Total Time: ~2 hours

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🍽️ Servings

Makes 2 medium pizzas (6–8 slices each)

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Pizza Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ cups warm water (not hot)

• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp salt

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For the Pizza Sauce:

• 2 cups crushed tomatoes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

• Salt & pepper to taste

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For the Cheese Topping:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

• ½ cup provolone (optional, for extra stretch)

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Optional Toppings:

• Pepperoni slices

• Cooked chicken chunks

• Mushrooms (sliced)

• Bell peppers

• Olives

• Onions

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👨‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2. Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.

3. Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

4. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.

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Step 2: Make the Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.

3. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.

4. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool.

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Step 3: Preheat & Prepare

• Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F).

• If using a pizza stone, preheat it as well for best results.

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Step 4: Shape the Dough

1. Punch down the risen dough and divide into 2 portions.

2. Roll each portion into a circle (thin or thick—your preference).

3. Place on a baking tray or pizza stone.

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Step 5: Assemble the Pizza

1. Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce over the dough.

2. Add mozzarella as the base layer.

3. Sprinkle cheddar and parmesan evenly.

4. Add optional toppings.

5. Finish with a little extra cheese on top for that “ultimate cheesy” effect.

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Step 6: Bake

• Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

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Step 7: Serve

• Remove from oven and let cool for 2–3 minutes.

• Slice and serve hot for maximum cheese stretch!

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🔥 Pro Tips

• Use low-moisture mozzarella for better melting.

• Add a drizzle of olive oil before baking for extra flavor.

• For a crispy crust, pre-bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding toppings.

• Mix cheeses for depth—don’t rely on just one!

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🧡 Variations

• Extra Cheesy Explosion: Add ricotta or cream cheese dollops

• Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños and chili oil

• Garlic Lover’s Pizza: Brush crust with garlic butter

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🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days

• Reheat in oven at 180°C (350°F) for best texture

• Avoid microwave if you want crispy crust