As our kids got older, David started making pizza at home every Saturday night. It began as a way to squeeze in a little extra family time — that cozy, in-between moment before they headed out with friends or after they got home. Over time, it’s become one of our most beloved family traditions. The smell of fresh dough and bubbling cheese signals that it’s Saturday night in our house.
And the best part? This recipe is as versatile as it gets. It’s simple enough to make with kids on a weeknight, turning dinner prep into a hands-on activity everyone enjoys. But it’s also delicious and impressive enough to serve when friends drop by for an impromptu dinner party. Add a crisp salad, a bottle of wine, and suddenly your kitchen feels like the warmest spot in town.
When I announced the relaunch of ChallahCrumbs, this was one of the first recipes people asked me for — a true classic that’s been tucked into family binders and scribbled on flour-dusted index cards for years.
Ingredients
1 cup lukewarm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon oil
3 cups flour
For the toppings:
Tomato sauce
Grated cheese (a blend of a standard yellow and mozzarella)
Whatever you love: tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, onion, crumble Bulgarian cheese, roasted sweet potato
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the water and yeast. Let it stand for 5 minutes (no stirring!) until the yeast starts to bloom.
Add sugar, salt, and oil. Mix well.
Stir in 1½ cups of flour and beat until the mixture is smooth.
Gradually add the remaining 1½ cups of flour, kneading until the dough becomes soft and elastic.
Flatten the dough onto lightly greased pans. Cover with a towel and let it rise for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 425°F.
Gently spread and flatten the dough again. Brush the surface lightly with oil.
Spoon on the tomato sauce, sprinkle cheese generously, and let everyone arrange their chosen toppings.
Bake for 15–25 minutes, until the crust turns light golden and the cheese is bubbling.
This is the kind of recipe that works hard for you: fun for the kids, elegant enough for guests, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser either way.