“Lina, I swear… if I had a dollar for every time I craved this pizza, I’d be rich!”
“Samad, you’d be rich and full, because this one’s next-level!”
If you’re a pizza fan who loves a bit of everything melty cheese, loaded toppings, a crispy golden crust you’re in for a treat. Today, Samad and Lina are cooking up the ultimate Deluxe Pizza that’s better than any takeout.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Deluxe Pizza
Samad: Okay, first off, this pizza is ridiculously good. We’re talking gooey mozzarella, smoky pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions… the works!
Lina: It’s basically what happens when all the best pizza toppings come together and throw a party. Plus, making it at home means you control the cheese-to-topping ratio. No more stingy slices!
Samad: And let’s be real homemade pizza nights are way more fun. You get to sip something, dance in the kitchen, and pile on as many toppings as you want.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Lina: Alright, let’s get your grocery list sorted. Nothing fancy, just classic pizza goodness:
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
For the Toppings:
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 10 slices pepperoni
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- ½ cup sliced green bell pepper
- ¼ cup sliced red onion
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
How to Make Deluxe Pizza at Home
Step 1: Make the Dough
Samad: First thing, let’s talk about the dough. Don’t stress it’s easier than you think.
Lina: Yup! In a large bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it’s foamy. That’s the yeast waking up and saying hi.
Samad: Stir in the flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
Lina: Pop it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for an hour until it doubles in size. Perfect time to pre-chop your toppings and maybe sneak a snack.
Step 2: Prep the Toppings
Samad: While the dough rises, slice up the mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and olives. Pro tip pat the mushrooms dry with a paper towel so they don’t make your pizza soggy.
Lina: And if you’re feeling fancy, lightly sauté the onions and mushrooms for extra flavour. Totally optional but so worth it.
Step 3: Assemble the Pizza
Samad: Once the dough’s ready, roll it out on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer it to a pizza pan or baking sheet.
Lina: Spread the pizza sauce evenly, sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella, then add your pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions, and olives.
Samad: Don’t forget a dash of oregano and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Lina: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Samad: And that’s it! You’ve just made a deluxe pizza that could give your favourite pizza joint a run for their money.
Samad & Lina’s Kitchen Tips
Lina: If you don’t want to make dough from scratch, store-bought dough totally works. We won’t judge!
Samad: Also, try brushing the crust with garlic butter before baking. Game-changer.
Lina: For a family-friendly night, let everyone add their own toppings. Kids love customizing their own mini pizzas.
Samad: Oh! And if you’re making this for a crowd, double the ingredients and make two. It disappears fast.
Fun Variations to Try
Lina: Okay, now that you’ve mastered the classic deluxe, wanna shake things up?
Samad: Always! Here are some fun ways to remix your pizza:
1. Meat Lover’s Deluxe
Swap in cooked sausage, crispy bacon bits, and even leftover roast chicken for extra protein.
2. Veggie Deluxe
Skip the meat and load up with extra mushrooms, roasted zucchini, spinach, and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for your veggie-loving friends.
3. Spicy Deluxe
Add jalapeños, banana peppers, and drizzle a bit of hot honey after baking. Sweet heat magic.
How to Store & Reheat Leftover Pizza
Lina: If you somehow end up with leftovers (unlikely, but hey…), here’s how to store them:
Samad: Stack slices between parchment paper and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Lina: To reheat, skip the microwave. Pop slices in a skillet on medium heat, cover, and heat for 3-4 minutes. The crust stays crisp and the cheese melts perfectly.
Samad: Or if you’re lazy like me, cold pizza at midnight hits different.
Perfect Pairings & Serving Ideas
Lina: Deluxe pizza deserves deluxe sides. Pair it with:
- A fresh Caesar salad or garden salad
- Garlic breadsticks or cheesy garlic knots
- A cold drink soda, beer, or a fizzy lemonade
Samad: And honestly, nothing beats a pizza night with family or friends, Netflix queued up, and maybe a board game after.
Nutrition Information (Per Slice)
Approximate, based on 8 slices:
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 12g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fat: 12g
Lina: Keep in mind, homemade pizza is fresher, less greasy, and way more satisfying than most takeout slices.
For More Irresistible Recipe visit canadian comforts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Lina: Alright, let’s tackle some of the most common pizza questions we get!
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Samad: 100%! If you’re short on time or just don’t feel like kneading, grab some ready-made dough from the grocery store. It works perfectly fine.
Lina: We’ve done it plenty of times on busy weeknights. Just let it rest at room temp for 20 minutes so it’s easier to roll out.
What’s the best cheese for deluxe pizza?
Samad: Mozzarella is the classic, but we sometimes mix in a bit of provolone or cheddar for extra flavour.
Lina: If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a little parmesan on top after baking. Chef’s kiss!
Can I freeze leftover pizza?
Lina: You sure can! Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.
Samad: Reheat in the oven or a skillet not the microwave so you keep that crispy crust.
How do I prevent a soggy pizza crust?
Samad: Ooh, this one’s important. A few tips:
- Preheat your oven nice and hot (475°F/245°C)
- Don’t overload with sauce or wet toppings
- Pat mushrooms and olives dry before adding
Lina: Also, bake the pizza on a hot pizza stone or preheated baking sheet if you want extra crispiness.
Can I make this pizza gluten-free?
Lina: Yep! Just swap the dough for a gluten-free pizza crust. Everything else stays the same.
Samad: We’ve tried it it’s just as tasty. Maybe even better because you can eat more without feeling too full. Ha!
Why Homemade Pizza Always Wins
Samad: Look, we all love a good pizza delivery, but making this deluxe pizza at home hits different.
Lina: It’s cheaper, fresher, and honestly, more fun. Plus, you get to brag: “Yeah, I made this.”
Samad: So next time you’re craving something cheesy, saucy, and fully loaded skip the delivery app and make this bad boy yourself.
Irresistible Deluxe Pizza
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast 1 packet
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Pizza Toppings
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 10 slices pepperoni
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup sliced green bell pepper
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup black olives sliced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix and knead until smooth. Let rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Roll out dough into a 12-inch circle. Spread sauce, add cheese and toppings.
- Sprinkle oregano and red pepper flakes. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
