There’s something magical about a homemade frozen pizza that beats anything store-bought. With a crispy, golden crust, gooey melted cheese, and a medley of vibrant toppings, this recipe elevates your freezer staple to a gourmet experience. The secret lies in the perfect balance of textures—crunchy edges meeting a tender, chewy center—and the rich, savory flavors that burst in every bite. In just under an hour, you’ll have a pizza that’s ready to bake whenever the craving strikes.
What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility and freshness. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients, ensuring each slice is packed with bold, mouthwatering flavors. The aroma of herbs and bubbling cheese will fill your kitchen, promising a meal that’s both comforting and exciting. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend treat, this pizza delivers restaurant-quality taste with the convenience of homemade. It’s time to rethink frozen pizza—this one’s a game-changer.
Ingredients for Better Frozen Pizza From Scratch
- 1 recipe Best Ever Pizza Dough (prepare the night before)
- 1 recipe 5 Minute Pizza Sauce (quick and easy to make)
- 4 cups (12 oz/340 g) mozzarella cheese, grated (adjust to taste)
- 25 pepperonis (or substitute with your favorite toppings)
- ½ lb (8 oz/225 g) sausage, cooked (turkey sausage is a great alternative)
- 1 large red pepper, sliced (adds a sweet crunch to your pizza)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Pizza Dough: The night before, make the Best Ever Pizza Dough. Let it ferment for 12-18 hours at room temperature. This slow fermentation process enhances the flavor and texture of the dough.
- Shape the Dough: The next day, turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, cover with a bowl or cloth, and let rest for 20 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (225°C) with a flat baking tray or cast iron on the lowest shelf to preheat as well.
- Roll Out the Dough: Working with one ball at a time, stretch or roll the dough into a 10-inch circle. If it pulls back, cover and let it rest for another 10 minutes.
- Par-Bake the Crust: Place the rolled-out dough on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Slide the parchment onto the preheated tray and bake for about 4 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned underneath.
- Add Toppings: Once all the crusts are par-baked, top each with the 5 Minute Pizza Sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperonis, cooked sausage, and sliced red pepper. Experiment with your favorite toppings to personalize your pizza.
- Freeze the Pizza: Place the topped pizzas on a tray and freeze uncovered for 2-3 hours. Once frozen, wrap each pizza in cling wrap and store in the freezer for future use.
- Bake from Frozen: Preheat your oven to 450°F (225°C) with a baking tray on the bottom shelf. Unwrap the frozen pizza and immediately slide it onto the preheated tray. Bake for about 12 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Enjoy: Serve your homemade pizza hot from the oven and savor the delicious flavors crafted from scratch!
Creative Topping Combinations to Try
While pepperoni and sausage are classic choices, why not experiment with other flavors? For a Mediterranean twist, try adding olives, artichokes, and feta cheese. If you’re feeling adventurous, a BBQ chicken pizza with red onions, cilantro, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce is a crowd-pleaser. For a lighter option, top with arugula, prosciutto, and a sprinkle of Parmesan after baking.
How to Store and Reheat Like a Pro
Once your pizzas are frozen solid, wrap them tightly in cling wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn. When reheating, skip the microwave—it can make the crust soggy. Instead, bake directly from frozen at 450°F (225°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crisp.
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Cooks
If you’re short on time, prepare the dough and sauce in advance and freeze them separately. You can also pre-chop toppings and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to assemble, everything will be at your fingertips, making the process quick and stress-free.
Essential Equipment for Perfect Pizzas
A cast iron skillet or pizza stone can elevate your crust by ensuring even heat distribution. If you’re rolling out dough, a silicone baking mat or parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze. Don’t forget a sharp pizza cutter or kitchen shears for easy slicing!
Common Questions Answered
Wondering why your dough keeps pulling back? Let it rest for an extra 10 minutes—it’s all about gluten relaxation. If your crust isn’t browning enough, try brushing it with a little olive oil before baking. And yes, you can freeze the dough itself for up to 3 months—just thaw it overnight in the fridge before using.
Better Frozen Pizza From Scratch
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 recipe Best Ever Pizza Dough
Pizza Sauce
- 1 recipe 5 Minute Pizza Sauce
Toppings
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese grated
- 25 pepperonis
- ½ lb sausage cooked
- 1 large red pepper sliced
Instructions
- Preparing the Pizza Dough Start out the evening before by making your Best Ever Pizza Dough. Leave it to ferment overnight for 12-18 hours at room temperature.
- The next day turn out your pizza dough onto a well-floured surface and divide into 4 even pieces. Shape each piece into a round ball of dough. Cover with your bowl or a cloth and allow to rest for 20 minutes before rolling.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (225°C) and place a flat baking tray or cast iron on the lowest shelf to preheat also.
- Working with one ball of dough at a time stretch or roll your pizza base into a 10-inch circle. If the dough pulls back while shaping then cover it and allow it to relax for another 10 minutes so it will be easier to pull.
- Place your pizza dough on a flat baking tray lined with parchment. Once your oven is preheated, slide the parchment straight onto the pre-heated tray.
- Par-bake the crust for roughly 4 minutes, until bubbly and underneath the crust is browning. Note, you do not want to get the crust too brown at this stage, just lightly underneath.
- Continue rolling and baking off the rest of the pizza dough.
- Topping and Freezing Top the pizza with my 5 Minute Pizza Sauce, followed by the rest of your toppings.
- Place the entire pizza on a tray into the freezer to freeze solid, uncovered for 2 to 3 hours.
- Once frozen, remove and fully wrap the pizza in cling wrap before placing it back in the freezer for the future.
- Baking A Pizza From Frozen Preheat the oven to 450°F (225°C) and place a flat baking tray on the bottom shelf of the oven to pre-heat again.
- Unwrap your frozen pizza and immediately slide it into the pre-heated oven onto the tray.
- Bake for roughly 12 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Enjoy your freshly made pizza, from scratch hot from the oven.
