1. Make Your Own Dough

Though I’ve been guilty of the Boboli crust method of pizza baking, there is just no equivalent to a homemade pizza crust.

Pizza Dough Recipe

Prep time: 2h 30m

Ingredients:
3 1/2 c. flour
1 c. warm water (approx 115 F)
1 tsp. yeast
2 tsp. honey
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp olive oil

Directions:
Mix together warm water, salt and honey in a large bowl, then add the yeast, stir and let sit for 10 minutes.
Gradually mix in flour and olive oil, kneading when it thickens.
Knead until thoroughly combined, if the dough cracks, add a little more water.

Place in a bowl, cover with a slightly damp towel and let rise for 1 hour. Punch the dough down and let it rise again for another hour. On floured surface, roll out dough until it is 1/4 inch thick (or to preference) then place on the baking tray.

2. Also Make Your Own Sauce

Whether making a pizza sauce that requires cooking or no, using herbs makes all the difference in creating a decent pizza sauce. It is generally sweeter and less seasoned than spaghetti sauce, relying on the flavors of the pizza’s toppings to enhance the taste.

Easy Uncooked Pizza Sauce

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
14 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1.5 oz. tomato paste
2 tbsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. basil

3. Don't Layer On Too Much

Many people make the mistake of piling on cheese, meat and vegetables until the pizza is a veritable mountain, the “screw moderation” approach. A pizza that is lighter on toppings will have a better taste as it works proportionally with the sauce and crust.

For a new way to prepare pizza, try putting the cheese on last, it melts down over the toppings and binds everything together. You also eliminate the danger of leaving unmelted cheese in the center.

4. Use Multiple Cheeses

You can go for the plain mozzarella cheese approach, but the best pizzas always have a blend of cheeses. Try adding other cheeses like parmesan, fontina and goat cheese for a more complex flavor.

5. Barbecue Pizza

Cooking pizza in the oven works just fine. Cook longer at a lower temperature for a softer crust, or at a higher temperature for less time for a crispy one. My favorite method of cooking is on the barbecue. Get it heated up to around 400F, put the pizza on (on a pizza stone or baking sheet) and let it cook for between 15 and 20 minutes. You get a nice, smoky flavor that just does wonders to the whole dish.