This Pizza Mozzarella is crispy, cheesy, and tastes like your favorite pizzeria—without leaving the house. You get a golden crust, a simple flavorful sauce, and lots of melty mozzarella that bubbles and browns in the oven. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, casual weekends, and anytime you want a cozy homemade pizza night.
Introduction
A good Pizza Mozzarella doesn’t need a long ingredient list. When you keep it simple, every bite tastes fresh and comforting. This is a reader-favorite style of pizza because it’s easy for beginners, kid-approved, and always hits the spot.
The standout trick is preheating your pan (or pizza stone) so the crust starts crisp right away. That small step helps you get that better than takeout texture at home. Once you try this Pizza Mozzarella, you’ll want to make it on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Pizza Mozzarella
- Better than restaurant: Bubbling cheese and crisp crust straight from your oven.
- Easy weeknight dinner: Simple sauce, simple toppings, big payoff.
- Family-friendly: Classic cheesy flavor everyone loves.
- Customizable: Add toppings or keep it simple and classic.
- Cozy pizza night: Perfect for weekends, movie nights, and gatherings.
Ingredients for Pizza Mozzarella
Crust
- Pizza dough (1 lb): The base for your pizza.
- Shortcut: Store-bought pizza dough works great.
- Swap: Pre-baked crust for an even faster option.
- Olive oil (1 tbsp): Helps the crust brown and adds flavor.
Sauce
- Pizza sauce or marinara (3/4 cup): Tangy tomato base.
- Tip: Thick sauce helps prevent soggy pizza.
- Garlic powder (1/2 tsp): Adds cozy flavor fast.
- Dried oregano (1/2 tsp): Classic pizza flavor.
- Black pepper (1/4 tsp): Adds gentle warmth.
Cheese
- Low-moisture shredded mozzarella (2 cups): Gives you that classic stretchy melt.
- Tip: Freshly shredded melts smoother than pre-shredded.
- Fresh mozzarella, sliced (4 oz, optional): Adds creamy pockets of cheese.
- Tip: Pat slices dry with a paper towel so the pizza doesn’t get watery.
Finish
- Fresh basil leaves: Adds fresh flavor at the end.
- Swap: A sprinkle of dried basil if needed.
- Optional: Grated parmesan-style topping (2 tbsp): Adds savory finish.
How to Make Pizza Mozzarella
- 1. Preheat your oven to 500°F (or as hot as it safely goes). Place a pizza stone or upside-down sheet pan in the oven to heat for at least 20 minutes.
- 2. Stretch dough into a 12-inch round on parchment paper. Brush the outer edge lightly with olive oil for a golden crust.
- 3. Stir garlic powder, oregano, and pepper into the sauce, then spread sauce in a thin layer, leaving a 1-inch border.
- 4. Top with shredded mozzarella, then add fresh mozzarella slices if using. If it looks like too much cheese, you’re probably doing it right.
- 5. Slide the pizza (on parchment) onto the hot stone/pan. Bake 8–12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly with a few browned spots.
- 6. Rest 3 minutes, then finish with basil (and parmesan-style topping if you want). Slice and serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Pizza Mozzarella
- Bake hot: High heat gives crisp crust and bubbly cheese fast.
- Use thick sauce: Thin sauce can make pizza soggy.
- Pat fresh mozzarella dry: Helps prevent watery pockets.
- Don’t overload toppings: Too much can weigh down the crust.
- Let it rest: A few minutes keeps cheese from sliding off when you slice.
Variations & Substitutions
- Pepperoni-style: Add pepperoni slices under the cheese.
- Garlic butter crust: Brush baked crust with melted butter and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Spicy twist: Add crushed red pepper flakes before baking.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pizza dough or crust.
- Lazy version: Use a pre-baked crust and bake at 450°F for 10–12 minutes.
- Leftover idea: Reheat slices in a skillet over medium heat until crisp again.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftover Pizza Mozzarella in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat in a 400°F oven for 6–8 minutes, or warm slices in a skillet over medium heat until the bottom is crisp and the cheese melts again.
Freeze slices for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly and reheat from frozen in the oven until hot.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Pair with a simple green salad and a tangy dressing.
- Serve with roasted vegetables or a bowl of soup for a cozy dinner.
- Add a dipping sauce like ranch-style dip or extra marinara.
- Perfect for parties, sleepovers, and casual weekend dinners.
Reader Review: “This pizza mozzarella tastes like a real pizzeria pizza! The hot pan trick gave us the crispiest crust.”
If you make this Pizza Mozzarella, leave a rating and comment! Are you keeping it classic, or adding toppings like pepperoni or roasted veggies?
Print
Pizza Mozzarella (Best Ever, Easy, Extra Cheesy)
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 1 (12-inch) pizza 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This mozzarella pizza is classic, cheesy, and easy—crisp crust, simple sauce, and bubbly mozzarella in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 cup pizza sauce (or marinara)
2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
Heat oven to 500°F with a pizza stone/steel inside (or use a sheet pan).
Stretch dough into a 12-inch round. Brush edges with olive oil.
Spread sauce thinly, leaving a 1-inch border.
Top with mozzarella (and Parmesan/oregano if using).
Bake 10 to 14 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
Top with basil and slice.
Notes
Crispier crust: Preheat stone/steel at least 30 minutes.
Cheese tip: Low-moisture mozzarella prevents watery pizza.
Tools: Pizza stone/steel or sheet pan, pizza cutter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired