Learn how to make restaurant-quality pizza in the comfort of your own home with these 5 essential tips. We cover everything in this blog – from choosing your ingredients to perfecting your technique.

1. start with quality ingredients

It’s no secret that the quality of your ingredients can significantly enhance the overall flavour of your pizza. Consider these essentials: 

Dough

Most grocery stores will have pre-made pizza crusts, but making your own pizza dough affords you the flexibility to adjust the thickness and flavour to your liking.  

If you’re making your dough yourself, remember to let it rise properly to get the best texture.  

Sauce

A good tomato sauce can make or break your pizza. Choose a high-quality canned or homemade tomato sauce and season it with garlic, oregano, basil, and a pinch of sugar for balance.  

San Marzano is the best tomatoes you can find. They make a huge difference to the flavour of your pizza!

Cheese

Making your own vegan cheese at home can be quite time-consuming. Luckily, there are a number of quality vegan cheese options at most grocery stores.  

Brands like Violife — and Vtopian, for those in Portland — offer some of the best vegan cheeses we’ve tried! 

Toppings

Use fresh, thinly sliced vegetables and herbs. Avoid overloading your pizza to prevent it from cooking unevenly. 

2. Making Homemade Pizza With Your Oven

Preheat your oven to its highest temperature, typically around 500-550°F (260-290°C).

To achieve that authentic pizzeria-style crust, use a pizza stone.

Place the stone in the oven as it preheats to ensure it’s as hot as possible. A hot pizza stone helps create a crisp, golden crust that’s cooked evenly.

3. stretch your pizza dough carefully

When working with the dough, ensure it’s at room temperature. Shape your pizza dough by pressing it gently with your fingers, working from the center outwards. Use a rolling pin if you prefer a thinner crust. Be patient and gentle, allowing the dough to relax and stretch naturally. If it tears, don’t worry; just patch it up. 

4. don’t overload on the toppings

While it’s tempting to load your pizza with a mountain of toppings, less is often better. Overloading your pizza can lead to a soggy crust and uneven cooking. Spread a thin layer of sauce and distribute your toppings evenly. Avoid piling your toppings at the center.

5. experiment!

The beauty of making your own pizza at home is you can be as creative as you like. Try experimenting with different sauces, cheeses, and toppings to discover unique flavor combinations.  

As a vegan restaurant focused on handcrafted pizza, we’ve served a wide variety of flavour combinations – from our S’mores pizza feature to our classic Stranger Wings pizza. 

You can also explore different cooking techniques like grilling, pan-frying, or using a wood-fired oven to add a distinct touch to your pizzas. 

Ultimately, making pizza at home is not just about satisfying your cravings. It’s also about exploring your culinary skills and creativity.  

With the right ingredients, equipment, and techniques, you can produce delicious, restaurant-quality pizzas that your family and friends will love.  

So, don’t be afraid to get creative, experiment, and enjoy the process of making your very own homemade pizza masterpiece! 

To inquire about booking a build-your-own-pizza party, email us at info@virtuouspie.com

ABOUT VIRTUOUS PIE

With locations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Portland, Virtuous Pie is an elevated fast-casual restaurant, focused on handcrafted vegan pizza and ice cream. We also offer a variety of appetizers, drinks, and desserts, creating the ideal space for sharing a meal with loved ones.

From day one, we decided that we would take a handcrafted approach to our menus. Our plant-based cheese and beloved dairy-free ice creams are all made in small batches by our dedicated kitchen teams in-house.

MORE