Pizza Night
Homemade pizza night does not have to mean making everything from scratch—or turning dinner into a project.
Use the dough that fits your night, add a quick sauce, shred some cheese, set out the toppings your family actually likes, and call dinner done.
This is one of those dinners that can be as simple or as homemade as you want it to be.
Choose the Dough That Fits Your Night
Option 1: Keep it really easy.
Use refrigerated pizza dough, a premade crust, naan, flatbread, or another ready-to-top base.
Option 2: Grab fresh dough.
Many grocery stores and pizzerias sell fresh pizza dough, so you still get that homemade-pizza feel without making the dough yourself.
Option 3: Make Pampered Chef’s 5-Minute Dough.
This quick dough uses flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and Greek yogurt. There is no yeast and no waiting for the dough to rise.
My Easy Pizza Sauce Shortcut
You do not need a special jar of pizza sauce. Mix:
- 1 can tomato sauce
- Start with 2 tablespoons Everything but the Pizza Seasoning
Taste it, then add more seasoning if you want a stronger pizza flavor. I usually use about 4 tablespoons total.
You can use the sauce right away, but if you have a few extra minutes, let it simmer. Warming it gives the seasoning time to develop and also helps the sauce thicken a little.
Shred Your Own Cheese
If you can, shred your mozzarella from a block. Freshly shredded cheese melts better, and buying a block can also be a budget-friendly option. Shred what you need now and freeze the rest—or freeze the blocks for later.
Traditional Pizza
This is the simple pepperoni-and-sausage version I made during Pizza Night Live.
- Prepare and par-bake your dough or crust according to the dough directions.
- Brush the exposed outer edge of the crust with garlic butter.
- Spread on a thin layer of the seasoned tomato sauce.
- Add freshly shredded mozzarella.
- Top with pepperoni and cooked sausage.
- Return it to the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is cooked through.
Crust tip: When you press or roll the dough, do not make the outside edge thinner than the middle. Thin edges cook faster and can burn before the center is finished.
And it does not have to be perfectly round. Homemade pizza is allowed to look homemade. 😄
BBQ Chicken Pizza
This one is a perfect example of using what you already have. I used chicken I had cooked for another dinner and turned it into a completely different meal.
What You’ll Need
- 1 par-baked pizza crust
- BBQ sauce
- Cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- Freshly shredded mozzarella
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Bacon bits
- Quick Ranch for serving, optional
Build It
- Spread BBQ sauce over the par-baked crust.
- Add the cooked chicken.
- Top with mozzarella, red onion, and bacon bits.
- Bake until the crust is finished and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Drizzle with Quick Ranch after baking or serve it on the side.
Melanie’s Shortcut 💜
If you know you will use chicken again later in the week, cook the whole package at once. One night can be quesadillas; another can be BBQ Chicken Pizza. That is less prep without eating the exact same dinner twice.
Quick Ranch
This is the simple ranch drizzle I mixed during the Live. Of course, your favorite bottled ranch works too.
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons milk to start, up to 4 tablespoons
- 1–2 teaspoons ranch seasoning, starting with 1 teaspoon and tasting
Mix everything together until smooth. If it is too thick, add more milk, up to 4 tablespoons total, until it reaches a drizzle consistency. Taste and add more ranch seasoning if you want a stronger flavor.
Drizzle it over the finished BBQ Chicken Pizza or serve it on the side.
Melanie’s Mealtime Tip: Save the Leftovers
Leftover pizza is one of the easiest lunches or backup dinners. Reheat a slice in the air fryer using the REHEAT setting until the cheese is hot and the crust is crisp again. Start with a few minutes and check it so it does not overcook.
Make Pizza Night Work for Your Family
Pizza night is a great dinner to repeat because you can change the toppings, change the crust, or use what you already have. It feels fun without needing a brand-new dinner plan every time.
And if everyone likes something different, make smaller pizzas or divide one pizza into sections instead of cooking completely separate meals.
Tools That Make Pizza Night Easier
You do not need every tool to make pizza night work. These are the helpers I used to make the prep, dough, toppings, and baking easier.
Pizza Stone
Helps you get a crisp, evenly baked crust for homemade pizza night.
Rapid-Prep Mandoline
Quickly slice red onion, peppers, and other toppings into even pieces with less knife work.
Salad Choppers
Quickly chop or shred cooked chicken for pizza, tacos, wraps, and more.
Everything but the Pizza Seasoning
My shortcut for turning a simple can of tomato sauce into an easy pizza sauce.
Cheese Grater
Fresh-grated mozzarella melts beautifully and only takes another minute or two.
Disclosure: I am a Pampered Chef Independent Consultant. If you choose to purchase through my Pampered Chef links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Product availability may change.
September Kitchen Deals
Pizza Night is one of the meals I’m featuring this month because the right tools can make homemade pizza easier from prep to serving. Check the current September specials before you shop.
Want More Real-Life Dinner Ideas?
My free Recipe Club sends one simple dinner idea each week—made for busy nights and real life.
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