17 Homemade Pizza Recipes People Make Instead Of Ordering In
A homemade pizza night hits different. You control the crust, the cheese, the toppings, and the vibe, and it still feels like a treat.
If you are tired of paying delivery fees for a lukewarm pie, these are the pizzas people actually make instead of ordering in. Grab your peel, crank the oven, and let’s bake something unforgettable.
1. Classic Pepperoni With Crispy Edges
When you are craving delivery vibes without the wait, pepperoni with cupped, crispy edges delivers. Use a hot stone or steel, stretch a thin round, then swipe on a restrained layer of bright tomato sauce.
Scatter low moisture mozzarella, then blanket with small-diameter pepperoni so the fat renders into golden frills.
Crank the oven as high as it safely goes, and do not be shy with preheating. Those edges need intense heat to crisp while the cheese blisters.
After baking, finish with a dusting of dried oregano and a quick drizzle of good olive oil.
Let it rest two minutes so the cheese sets slightly, then slice. Every bite hits salty, savory, and satisfyingly crunchy.
2. Cheese Pizza With Extra-Buttery Garlic Crust
Sometimes you just want molten cheese and a crust that tastes like garlic bread. Keep the base simple with a bright, slightly sweet red sauce and generous low moisture mozzarella.
The move that wins the night is brushing the rim with warm garlic butter the second it comes out.
Stir minced garlic into melted butter with a pinch of salt and parsley. As the crust steams, it drinks up that buttery goodness.
Sprinkle parmesan around the edge so it melts into a salty halo.
Let the pie cool a minute, then cut clean slices so the cheese stays put. Every bite lands creamy, garlicky, and a tiny bit toasty.
True comfort, no delivery box required.
3. Margherita With Fresh Basil
Clean, bright, and effortless, a Margherita rewards restraint. Use a simple crushed tomato sauce seasoned with salt, nothing more.
Tear fresh mozzarella into thumb-size pieces so it melts in soft puddles, and leave room for the sauce to peek through.
Launch onto a ripping hot stone to encourage leopard spots. The basil goes on after baking to keep it vivid and aromatic.
A quick olive oil drizzle adds sheen and brings everything together without weighing it down.
This one is all about balance and timing. Keep the bake fast so the crust puffs and the cheese barely kisses brown.
You will taste summer in every bite, even in the middle of winter.
4. BBQ Chicken With Red Onion
Swap tomato sauce for your favorite tangy-sweet barbecue sauce and everything changes. Toss cooked shredded chicken with a little extra sauce so it stays juicy.
Layer mozzarella and a hint of sharp cheddar for color and flavor, then scatter thin red onion crescents.
Bake hot so the cheese bubbles and the edges caramelize. After it comes out, add chopped cilantro or scallions for a fresh snap.
If you like heat, a few pickled jalapeno slices brighten the sweetness.
This pie satisfies the smoky-sweet craving that delivery never quite nails. It is weeknight friendly, pantry flexible, and absolutely crushable.
Bonus: leftovers reheat beautifully in a skillet for lunch tomorrow.
5. White Pizza With Ricotta And Spinach
When red sauce feels heavy, go white. Brush the dough with garlicky olive oil, then dot with seasoned ricotta and a scatter of low moisture mozzarella.
Briefly wilt spinach in a pan so it does not weep onto the crust.
Bake until the ricotta edges barely tan and the cheese bubbles. Finish with cracked black pepper, a whisper of lemon zest, and a drizzle of oil.
The result is creamy and comforting without feeling weighed down.
You will love how the spinach turns sweet against the garlicky base. Serve with chili flakes on the side if you want a nudge of heat.
It is the cozy sweater of pizza nights.
6. Meat Lover’s Pizza With Sausage And Bacon
Some nights call for unapologetic, meaty comfort. Par-cook Italian sausage so it browns without greasing out, and crisp bacon until just shy of brittle.
Spread a sturdy red sauce, shower with mozzarella, then layer the meats so every slice hits savory gold.
Bake hot to render edges frizzly. A light brush of chili oil post bake gives warmth without overpowering.
The trick is balance: enough meat to feel indulgent, not so much that the crust sags.
Let it rest three minutes before cutting to keep things tidy. Every bite is salty, smoky, and gloriously satisfying.
This is the pie that makes “just one slice” a hilarious promise.
7. Supreme-Style With Peppers, Onion, And Mushrooms
When feeding a mixed crowd, supreme-style is the safest bet. Start with a classic sauce and mozzarella foundation.
Sauté mushrooms and onions first so their moisture does not swamp the crust, then add bell peppers for crisp-tender pops.
Olives and a little pepperoni bring salty depth without dominating. Bake until the cheese caramelizes in little browned patches.
A sprinkle of dried basil or Italian seasoning out of the oven perfumes everything.
Each bite lands savory, sweet, and a touch briny. You get texture variety and color that looks party-ready.
It is the reliable hero of game nights and easy weekends when everyone wants a bit of everything.
8. Hawaiian With Ham And Pineapple
Sweet-salty and proudly divisive, Hawaiian wins hearts when done right. Use thicker-cut ham so it stays juicy, and blot pineapple dry so it caramelizes instead of steaming.
A restrained layer of sauce keeps things balanced.
For the best version, add thin jalapeno rings for gentle heat. Bake hot until the cheese blisters and the pineapple edges char slightly.
Finish with a tiny drizzle of honey or nothing at all.
The contrast is the point: smoky ham, bright fruit, and creamy cheese. It is a vacation on a weekday, no suitcase required.
If you have doubters at the table, one bite of the caramelized edges tends to convert them.
9. Buffalo Chicken Pizza With Ranch Drizzle
Spicy, tangy, and totally addictive, this pie brings wing-night energy. Toss cooked chicken with buttery hot sauce, then spread a thin layer of the sauce on the dough.
Add mozzarella and a few blue cheese crumbles if that is your thing.
Bake until bubbling, then stripe with ranch or blue cheese dressing. A scatter of celery leaves nods to the classic pairing.
The creamy drizzle cools the heat while keeping that sharp, vinegary punch alive.
It is excellent party food, sliced small for snacking. Leftovers reheat fast in a skillet, crisping the base beautifully.
Keep napkins handy, because the glorious messiness is part of the charm.
10. Spicy Pepperoni And Hot Honey
This is sweet-heat magic that tastes restaurant-level. Build a classic pepperoni pie with a light hand on the sauce, then add chili flakes for background warmth.
When it comes out, drizzle hot honey in thin zigzags so it kisses every slice.
The honey rounds the spice and amplifies those crispy pepperoni edges. Use a neutral hot honey or infuse your own with chilies.
Either way, the balance of salty, spicy, and sweet keeps you reaching back.
Finish with a sprinkle of flaky salt to pop the flavors. Cut small if you are sharing, because it vanishes fast.
Pair with a cold lager and call it your weeknight win.
11. Mushroom And Truffle-Style Pizza
Earthy and elegant, this pizza leans on good mushrooms and restraint with truffle oil. Sauté a mix of cremini, shiitake, and oyster until browned and dry.
Keep the base simple with garlic oil and mozzarella so the fungi stay center stage.
After baking, add a minimal drizzle of truffle oil and a shower of parsley. Too much truffle can overwhelm, so think perfume, not sauce.
The aroma alone feels special-occasion without the price tag.
Serve with cracked pepper and maybe a squeeze of lemon to lift the richness. It is date-night worthy, but easy enough for Tuesday.
Every slice tastes like the woods after rain, in the best way.
12. Pesto Chicken Pizza
Herby pesto gives this pie a fresh, sunny vibe. Spread a thin coat so the oil does not pool, then add sliced cooked chicken and torn mozzarella.
Cherry tomatoes bring brightness and a little burst of acidity with every bite.
Bake until the cheese melts and the crust crisps, then finish with extra basil. A squeeze of lemon over the top wakes everything up.
If your pesto is garlicky, go lighter on additional seasoning.
It tastes like summer even when it is gray outside. Leftovers make a killer cold breakfast, no judgment.
When you want something green and satisfying, this is the move you will keep repeating.
13. Four Cheese With A Crisp Finish
Cheese lovers, this is your moment. Combine mozzarella for stretch, provolone for tang, parmesan for salt, and a restrained scatter of gorgonzola or feta for funk.
Keep the sauce minimal or skip it entirely to let the cheeses shine.
Bake hot until browned freckles appear and the edges turn glassy-crisp. A drizzle of olive oil or a dab of hot honey after baking tilts it sweet-savory.
The key is balance so the stronger cheese does not overwhelm.
Slice small, because richness creeps up fast. Pair with a peppery salad and you have dinner handled.
It is that decadent slice you dream about, made in your own oven.
14. Sausage And Broccoli Rabe
Bitter greens meet savory sausage for a grown-up pie that punches above its weight. Blanch broccoli rabe, then sauté with garlic and red pepper flakes until tender.
Spread a light garlic oil base, add mozzarella, then distribute the sausage and greens.
Bake hot so the edges char slightly. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a dusting of pecorino.
The lemon brightens the bitterness while the sausage fattiness keeps each bite lush.
If you like heat, a final kiss of chili oil is perfect. This combo is bold but balanced, and wildly satisfying.
It is a house favorite when something hearty yet green is calling.
15. Breakfast Pizza With Bacon And Egg
Breakfast for dinner feels rebellious and right. Start with a light layer of cheese and scattered bacon or breakfast sausage.
Crack eggs onto the pie in the last few minutes so the whites set while the yolks stay silky.
Watch closely, because those final moments matter. Pull when the yolks still jiggle, then shower with chives and black pepper.
The runny yolk becomes a built-in sauce that coats every bite.
Add a few cherry tomatoes or hot sauce if you want brightness. This one is irresistible any time of day.
Serve with strong coffee or a bubbly spritz and call it a complete occasion.
16. Taco Pizza With Salsa And Crunchy Toppings
Bring taco night to the pizza stone. Spread a thin layer of salsa or enchilada sauce, then add seasoned ground beef or turkey and plenty of cheese.
Bake until bubbling, then pile on cool toppings.
Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and crushed tortilla chips add crunch and contrast. A drizzle of crema or sour cream ties it together.
If you like heat, scatter pickled jalapenos and a squeeze of lime.
The hot-cold, soft-crunch mashup is party gold. Slice squares and pass around like a sheet-pan nacho hybrid.
It is playful, messy, and guaranteed to disappear faster than any delivery box.
17. Detroit-Style Pan Pizza With Crispy Cheese Edges
Thick, airy, and outrageously crisp, Detroit-style is the ultimate better-than-delivery flex. Oil a rectangular pan, then gently press in a high-hydration dough.
Cover with a blend of brick or mozzarella, pushing cheese to the very edges so it fries into frico.
Sauce goes on top in racing stripes to keep the crumb light. Bake until the corners are mahogany and the center springs back.
Let it rest a few minutes before prying out those caramelized edges.
Square slices show off the open crumb and cheesy lace. It eats like a dream right from the pan.
Once you nail it, friends start “dropping by” around dinnertime suspiciously often.
