Transform pizza night into a delectable, restaurant-level experience!
There isn’t one person in my family—Italian or not—who dislikes focaccia. And there’s a good reason for that! This is one of those delicious breads that tastes like it came from a restaurant, but it’s totally easy to make at home. That’s why “pizza night” has become more than just ordering takeout in my house. Focaccia pizza is a simple yet scrumptious way to bring the fam together to share a meal.
Since one focaccia pizza can feed eight people, my family and I like to double the batch of dough to craft two pizzas. But if you have a lot of guests or a large family to feed, feel free to make more. That’s the beauty of this homemade dish—there’s no limit to how much you can make or what custom toppings you can use. Meat lovers and vegetarians alike can find something yummy to spice up their pizza with.
Ditch the greasy takeout and discover how fun it can be to bake your own pizzas with the whole family. You could even make mini versions with smaller pieces of dough so that each loved one has their own personal pizza. Just keep in mind that the baking time will be less when it is smaller, so keep an eye on it while it’s in the oven.
What exactly is focaccia?
Traditionally, focaccia is a type of Italian flatbread. It’s a simple combination of flour, yeast, salt, water, and olive oil. The resulting bread comes out of the oven puffy, chewy, and delicious. Typically, it’s topped with coarse salt and herbs like rosemary and oregano, but in this recipe, it carries tomato sauce, cheese, and fresh basil. With such a satisfying taste and texture, focaccia makes the perfect pizza crust.
How do I store leftovers?
Once it has cooled off completely, leftover focaccia pizza can be covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Alternatively, you can place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, until it’s completely warm.
Serving suggestions
Remember to garnish your pizza with fresh basil after it’s done baking so the leaves don’t wilt in the oven. Then, you can jazz up this focaccia pizza to your liking. Some folks like to drizzle their pizza in Avocado Ranch Dressing or Bourbon BBQ Sauce. If you’re craving more meat, add some Tomato Bacon Jam, slices of Instant-Pot Meatballs, or Pulled Chicken. But if you’re like me and you want to load on the veggies, try Spinach And Mushrooms, Pickled Peppers, or a side of Broccoli-Apple Salad. Focaccia pizza works well for both vegetarians and meat eaters, so it’s perfect for parties where there’s a mix of diets.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/3 cups warm water about 105°F
- 2 tablespoons olive oil plus extra, for greasing and drizzling
- 2/3 cup tomato sauce
- 1 2/3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes halved, optional
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, instant yeast, and salt. Pour in the warm water and olive oil, stirring with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
- Place a clean cloth over the bowl and allow the dough to rest in a warm area for approximately 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Lightly oil a 9×13-inch baking pan. Transfer the risen dough into the pan and press it out evenly to cover the bottom. Allow it to rest for another 20 minutes to let it relax.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Use your fingertips to gently press into the dough, creating small dimples over the surface. Evenly spread the tomato sauce over the dough and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. If using, add halved cherry tomatoes and drizzle a little extra olive oil.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the edges are golden and the cheese is bubbly. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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