We are a pizza loving family. If there is a food that 8 out of 8 family members can all get behind with no complaints – it is pizza. I always thought that pizza was something I either ordered in or I bought frozen and stashed in the freezer for nights I felt too tired to cook. But then I found this no rise recipe from Shelly at Frugal Family Home and my life changed!
Well, not that dramatically, but I did finally figure out that I could stop wasting money on frozen pizzas from the grocery store or blowing weekly budget money at the pizza shop down the road. Since I found this recipe, I’ve adapted it a little bit to suit our family, and I’m sharing our version with you today!
This homemade dough recipe is the favorite in our house for a few reasons. First, the dough is delicious. Second, since it is no rise and quick to throw together – it’s so simple our kids can make it by themselves. And lastly (and my favorite), it uses only a few ingredients that I always have on hand, so I never have to plan ahead. This also means that if we need a pick-me-up during the week that only pizza can provide, I can whip up this dough at the drop of a hat!
Instances in which only pizza can save the day:
- exhausted parents who don’t know what to cook for dinner
- cranky kids who suddenly dislike all the foods they liked last week
- a snow day home from school!
- a beautiful summer night with the fireflies buzzing
- after a hard day at school for a kid
- a celebration for a big win for the team
- comfort after a tough loss for the team
- literally any and all Friday nights
- Saturday lunch between errands and practices
- when there is “nothing in this house to eat”
Okay, fine….Pizza can probably solve any and all problems. Which is why you should have this quick and easy no rise dough recipe in your back pocket at all times.
And don’t let those kiddos off the hook for helping to pull dinner together either!
- 10 years+ can make the dough by following the instructions to assemble.
- 7 years+ can get those wiggles out by kneading the dough.
- 5 years+ can help with a rolling pin to roll the dough out and spreading the sauce.
- And even 2+ years can help add the toppings like cheese, meats, and veggies!
Another thing that is great about this pizza crust is that it is filling. When we bake frozen pizza or order in, it never seems like there is enough. The kids just keep on eating and then even after several slices – they are still hungry.
This pizza dough is filling and delicious. Just one recipe can supply enough to make two large rectangular pizzas (the size of a cookie dough sheet that I bake it on) and there is plenty for our whole family and no one is complaining about still being hungry.
When we make two separate pizzas we normally do a ‘boring’ kid version with just cheese and maybe a little meat while the other pizza has all the grown up fun toppings (like our favorites: banana peppers, onions, ham and pineapple if we have that too!)
homemade no rise pizza dough
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/4 cups hot water between 102-104 degrees
- 1 TBSP yeast (two packets)
- 1 TBSP white sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- 1/2 -1 cups flour (for kneading)
- 1 jar pizza or spaghetti sauce
- cheeses (mozzarella, parmesan, etc)
- toppings (veggies, meats, etc)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees and lightly grease two cookie sheets
- Add yeast to hot water (102-104 degrees) and let sit for at least 5 minutes to proof. The yeast should bubble up a bit as it activates. If the yeast does not begin to proof – either the yeast is expired (check the label) OR your water was too hot or too cold.
- While the yeast proofs, add flour, sugar, and salt to a bowl. Mix together
- Add the olive oil and proofed yeast to the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix together until blended with a spatula or spoon.
- Flour your hands and move dough to a well-floured space to knead. The dough will be sticky at first. Add flour to your hands when needed (may need to use between 1/2 cup to 1 cup more of flour). Knead until it is no longer sticking to your hands or the surface. This could take between 5-10 minutes.
- The dough should be soft and elastic when kneaded. Separate it into two halves.
- Stretch the dough out without tearing, then lay on the cookie sheet. Use a rolling pin to spread dough into a rectangular crust shape.
- Add pizza sauce (or spaghetti sauce if you're in a pinch!) to your liking.
- Add cheese(s) and your choice of toppings (veggies, meats, etc)
- Don't forget the spices on top! Garlic, Italian Seasonings, or Oregano!
- Place the cookie sheet on the middle rack and bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is light brown and the smell is so good you can't wait another second!
If you don’t normally have yeast on hand, but are interested in adding it to your baking cupboards – know that it’s easily found in the baking section in most grocery stores. Often times it is measured out and in packets all ready to go for you. I always add a few packets of Active Dry Yeast to my grocery list so that it’s always on hand at home either for this recipe or any other bread/dough I am decide to bake.
Our kids now request this homemade pizza crust over all others – even take out! So, although I haven’t done the cost-analysis on it, I guarantee we are saving money every month simply by making our own pizza dough.
I never thought I’d be the kind of a woman who when stumped with what to make for dinner – I just smile and shrug instead and say, “Oh well, I’ll just make homemade pizza then.” Who even am I?
If you’re impressed that this busy mom of six can pull off homemade pizza any night of the week – well, let me tell you – you can to! Enlist some of your kiddos to help in the kitchen and soon you will be impressing yourself too, momma!
