Yeast dough pizza bases are brilliant, but sometimes you just want a quick pizza base you can get on the table in under an hour. This simple quick pizza dough recipe uses store cupboard ingredients and needs no rising time, so it’s perfect for a fast family dinner. Add your favourite toppings and you’re good to go.
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Make Your Own Quick Pizza Dough
Ingredients:
- 8oz (225g) / 1 cup self-raising white flour
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 40g (1½oz) approx, quarter of a cup, cold butter or margarine
- 150ml (5 fl oz) approx half a cup skimmed milk
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C / 356°F / gas mark 5.- Add the flour, salt and baking powder to a bowl.
- Rub in the butter or margarine until the mix resembles breadcrumbs.
- Bring the mixture together with the milk.
- Roll out on a floured surface.
- Place the rolled dough on a baking sheet and blind bake at 180°C / 356°F / gas mark 5 for approx 10 minutes, depending on thickness. Don’t let it brown, as it will be going back into the oven with the toppings.
- Add your tomato sauce (see below for a quick homemade version), your favourite toppings and cheese to the part-cooked base, then return to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
If you have a bit more time, check out our yeast base recipe.
You may also enjoy creating a pizza garden and our Neapolitan pizza recipe.
Homemade Tomato Sauce Recipe
While your base is blind baking, you can make a simple homemade tomato sauce. Fry some finely chopped onion, a clove of crushed garlic and mixed herbs in a little olive oil. Once softened, pour in a bottle of passata or a tin of sieved tomatoes, add a pinch of salt and sugar, and cook over a medium heat until the sauce thickens.
If you’re trying to sneak some extra vegetables in, add finely diced carrot and courgette along with the onions. Once the sauce has thickened, blend it with a hand-held blender for a smooth finish the kids won’t spot.
Top tip: make your tomato sauce in a large frying pan rather than a saucepan — the wider surface helps it thicken more quickly.
Pizza Topping Ideas
Ham, mushrooms, sweetcorn, olives, pepperoni or cooked sausage, cooked chicken, peppers, grated cheese, mozzarella, goats cheese, pineapple — or for a fun dessert pizza, try chocolate spread and marshmallows.
You may also enjoy easy party food recipes for kids with allergies and party food for toddlers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to let this dough rise before baking?
No — this is the main advantage of a quick dough. It uses baking powder rather than yeast, so there’s no proving or resting time needed. You can mix, roll and bake straight away.
Why do I blind bake the base first?
Blind baking the base for around 10 minutes before adding toppings helps it cook through properly and stay firm enough to hold the sauce, cheese and toppings without going soggy in the middle.
Can I make the tomato sauce ahead of time?
Yes. The tomato sauce can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for a couple of days, or frozen in portions, so it’s ready whenever you want to make a quick pizza night happen.
Can I freeze the pizza dough?
This dough is quick to make fresh each time, so it’s best rolled and baked straight away rather than frozen raw. If you want a make-ahead option, the yeast base recipe linked above freezes better.
Related Articles
- Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
- Creating a Pizza Garden
- Easy Party Food Recipes for Kids With Allergies
- Party Food Ideas for Toddlers
Save This for Your Next Pizza Night
No printable this time, but this is a great one to bookmark or save for a busy weeknight when you need dinner on the table fast. Browse our other family food ideas for more quick, kid-friendly recipes.
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Have you tried our quick pizza dough recipe? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
