Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food--- A mouthwatering Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza that promises golden, ooey-gooey, stretchy deliciousness with every bite. Made for family-favorite dinners at home, this pizza boasts a homemade dough that makes for a fluffy + chewy crust, generously topped with marinara sauce, an abundance of dried herbs, and an irresistible amount of cheese. Gluten-free option.

It's not hard to convince me to have a pizza night... I even recently wrote about The Best Pizza Topping For Any Night, from Vegan Hawaiian Buffalo Chicken Pizza and Chickpea + Veggie Gluten-Free Pesto Pizza to the Best BBQ Meatball Pizza I'm here for every kind of pie. I live in New York after all, where we take our pizza very seriously. Haha. This homemade pizza recipe has all the charm and flavor of a classic NY-style slice, from the comfort of your own kitchen.

The homemade pizza dough crust is super fluffy + chewy. It's thin but strong enough to hold plenty of gooey, melted mozzarella cheese and the delicious garlic herb sauce. It's all about that golden, ooey-gooey, stretchy deliciousness that makes every bite irresistible. Even if you've never made pizza at home before, you'll find this recipe easy, fun + totally accessible. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Pizza is a regular feature in my 'What To Eat This Week' series because it's such a universally loved option that always hits the spot. Check it out HERE if you ever need a little help with your weekly meal planning!

How to Make Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza

The first step in this pizza recipe is to make the homemade pizza dough crust. Don't be intimidated by the idea of making your own pizza crust. Once you've tried it, you'll see how simple and fun it is to make! After you make the crust, whip up the garlic herb sauce, then assemble everything and bake!

Easy Homemade Pizza Crust Ingredients

Here's what you need to make the light + fluffy pizza dough:

• All-purpose flour. I use King Arthur organic flour.
• Warm water. Cold water will prevent the yeast from activating, but hot water can kill the yeast, so it's important to strike a temperature balance. The water should be warm to the touch, but not steaming.
• Honey. This feeds the yeast and adds flavor to the dough. You can also use agave.
• Yeast. Use rapid-rise yeast for this dough.
• Olive oil. This helps the dough get supple with elastic stretchiness.
• Salt. This helps balance the flavors.

Garlic Herb Pizza Sauce

The delicious savory flavor of this homemade pizza comes from the garlic herb sauce. Here's what you need to make it:

• Marinara sauce. Use your favorite store-bought sauce or make your own.
• Garlic. Fresh garlic will give you the best flavor, but you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if you prefer.
• Dried parsley, oregano, and thyme. You can use fresh herbs, but you'll need a tablespoon of each.
• Smoked paprika. This adds a subtle heat. If you like more spice, you can add more paprika.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS PIZZA!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza. Everything from my fave pizza pans, graters, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Why You Will Completely LOVE This Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza

• It’s a SUPER EASY from-scratch dough recipe that will leave you with a fool-proof fluffy + crunchy crust.
• Cheesy & crispy in all the right places---- the ooey-gooey stretchy cheesiness takes the flavor to the next level. 
• A crowd-pleasing combo that will have everyone coming back for seconds (And thirds Haha)
• Family-friendly (Well, everyone in my family seems to love it, Haha.)

Make The Perfect Pizza Crust Every Time!

When it comes to making the perfect pizza crust, it only really takes a FEW HACKS + TRICKS for this to happen.

However, it is imperative that you follow these exact steps every time, so that the perfect crust is achieved!

Here’s How:

• Make sure that your oven is preheated and is HOT!! This ensures that everything bakes evenly and cooks pretty fast to avoid anything that could possibly cause your pizza to be soggy or undercooked (like the dough!).

• Never EVER use cold dough! Using cold dough changes the hydration and makes it more aggressive to stretch and work out. This isn’t good for your crust at all.

• Always, Always use a Pizza Sheet Pan. For a crispy pizza, I suggest using a pizza pan with holes to allow the crust to bake through nicely. I used the AirBake Pizza Pan.

• DO NOT over-roll dough! When following the step of rolling out the dough slightly to flatten it, never roll out the dough too much! Be sure to follow the steps of stretching it out with your hands the rest of the way.

• Never add TOO MUCH sauce! This step is super imperative (trust me, I learned the hard way!) and it’s such truth. Never add all the sauce entirely to avoid a soggy middle or crust.

• Pre-cook any toppings that might require a longer cook time! This is especially true for certain veggies (and of course meats) that require a longer cook time that the allotted short amount of minutes that an actual pizza takes to cook. That way you aren’t trying to overcook your pizza because the toppings aren’t fully cooked.

There you have it—these tried and true tips/tricks will get your pizza coming out crisp and perfect every time! Do you have any additional tips that have worked for you besides these?

More Pizza Topping Ideas

I like to pile my homemade cheese pizza high with tons of gooey, melted cheese. My favorite cheeses for pizza are mozzarella, mild cheddar + gouda. This trio is salty, sharp and mild for the perfect balance of flavor. Plus, they all melt nicely for those stunning cheese pulls.

But if you're looking to spruce up your vegetarian cheese pizza with more toppings, or if you're catering to both vegetarians and meat-eaters, here are some additional ingredients you might like:

Vegetarian

• Caramelized onions
• Sun-dried tomatoes or herb roasted tomatoes
• Artichoke hearts
• Vegan BBQ meatballs
• Poblano peppers or jalapeños. 
• Spinach, kale or arugula
• Mushrooms (such as cremini, portobello, or shiitake)
• Olives (black or green)
• Fresh basil or homemade pesto
• Pineapple chunks for a sweet twist
• Roasted Garlic Olive Oil Dip (it's so yummy drizzled atop)
• Feta cheese or goat cheese for added tanginess
• Homemade cajun seasoning

Meat Eaters

• Shredded chicken
• Bacon bits or candied bacon
• Pepperoni
• Ham
• Salami or chorizo slices
• Anchovies for a salty kick
• Steak chunks

Best Types of Cheese for this Pizza

Even though this Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza is based on using mozzarella cheese, mild cheddar + Gouda cheese, you can also switch things up and add a new flare in their flavor profile by adding any of the following:

• Gruyère
• Mild Cheddar Cheese
• American cheese
• Parmesan cheese (grated)

Can I Double the Dough?

Yes! It’s easy to double or triple this homemade pizza dough recipe. You can even freeze the dough before rising. Simply stick it in an oiled air-tight bag or container and into the freezer for up to six months. When you’re craving some cheese pizza, defrost the dough in the fridge overnight. Then let it come to room temperature for about half an hour before rolling, topping, and baking.

What to Serve with Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza

While your Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza cooks, make a simple side dish to complete the meal for an easy weeknight meal or pizza night extravaganza. We love to serve this cheesy pizza with:

• Classic Oven Baked Buffalo Wings
• Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tenders
• Healthy Loaded Kale Salad with Spicy Chickpeas
• Quick + Easy Blood Orange Kale Salad
• Sticky Peach Chicken Wings
• Orange Chicken Wings
• Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
• Southern Hot Honey Cauliflower Bites
• Everything Bagel Cauliflower Bites

Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza Q + A's

More Pizzas Night Recipes To Try!

If you enjoyed Homemade Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza, definitely throw these mouthwatering pizza recipes onto your "must-make next" list:

• Cajun Veggie Pumpkin Pizza
• The Ultimate Veggie Pizza
• All Green Veggie Pizza
• Pumpkin BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Loaded Thanksgiving Pizza
• Vegan Hawaiian Buffalo Chicken Pizza
• Best Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried the Homemade Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Homemade Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza

September 26, 2021 •

By Shanika

5 from 2 votes

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food--- A mouthwatering Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza that promises golden, ooey-gooey, stretchy deliciousness with every bite. Made for family-favorite dinners at home, this pizza boasts a homemade fluffy and chewy crust, generously topped with marinara sauce, an abundance of dried herbs, and an irresistible amount of cheese. Gluten-free option.

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

Serves: 8 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

PIZZA CRUST:

• 2 ¾ cups organic all-purpose flour (See Notes for GF option!)
• 1 cup WARM fresh water
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 packet rapid-rise yeast (That's 2 ¼ tsps!)
• 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

GARLIC HERB SAUCE:

• 1 cup Marinara sauce
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

TOPPINGS:

• 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups Mild cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup freshly grated Gouda cheese

Instructions

PIZZA CRUST:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer (with a dough hook attachment), mix together the warm water, honey, olive oil, and yeast (you might need to use a whisk to ensure that everything combines together well). Let is sit for at least 5 minutes, until yeast begins to activate and foam.
• Slowly add the flour and salt (on low speed!), until fully incorporated and a soft dough is formed. NOTE: if dough is too sticky, add ½ cup of additional flour at a time)
• Now, increase the speed to medium-high and knead the dough for about 5 minutes in the mixer. 
• Once done, add the dough onto a floured surface and slightly roll out the dough until it’s flat enough to form a flat circle the rest of the way with your hands, about 11 inches in diameter. Lightly grease your pizza pan with extra virgin olive oil and place dough on one end of pan, evenly pressing it and flattening it out to fit the entire pan. Gently use your finger to stretch dough until pan is fully covered and gently pinch the edges of the dough together to form the crust.

GARLIC HERB SAUCE:

• In a bowl, mix all ingredients together until well combined.

ASSEMBLY:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit and place top rack into the middle of oven. NOTE: be sure to use a great pizza pan to ensure that your crust is crispy and not soggy.
• Brush a generous amount of the garlic herb sauce over the top of the crust until evenly coated.
• Generously sprinkle on the cheeses until crust is fully covered in the middle, leaving a bit of crust for the edges.
• Lightly brush the tops of the edge of the crust with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to ensure that it becomes a nice golden brown.
• Transfer the pizza pie to the hot oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or so, until the cheese has melted (and becomes bubbly) and the crust is crispy and golden brown.
• Once done, allow pizza to rest/cool for a few minutes (about 2-3 minutes) so that the cheese sets before cutting into generous slices, using a pizza cutter.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• PIZZA CRUST: For a crispy pizza (especially on the bottom), I suggest using a pizza pan with holes to allow the crust to bake through nicely. I used the AirBake Pizza Pan, which can be found at Target!
• STORAGE: Leftover pizza is best kept tightly wrapped in foil paper, refrigerated for 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
• GLUTEN-FREE CRUST: To make your pizza crust GF, see my Easy GF Pizza Crust recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 736mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 747IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 498mg | Iron: 3mg

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Garlic Herb Cheese Pizza Recipe

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