Personal Pizzas for Two: An Easy Date Night Recipe

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pizza date night

What’s Up, Hungry People!

We all know I adore coming up with fun, inventive date night ideas – be it a night out on the town or a cozy evening indoors. Tonight was one of those cozy evenings! Nick and I rolled up our sleeves for a DIY pizza date night, crafting our own personal pizzas tailored precisely to our tastes.

Nick’s never been quite the dough maestro, so step one was giving him a little tutorial on how to expertly flatten his dough. The trick? Keep that precious air trapped inside. We might’ve gotten flour in places we didn’t anticipate (read: everywhere), but in the end, it was all worth it. I’m a die-hard fan of the thick crust, while Nick? He’s all about that crisp, thin base.

pizza date night ingredients

Here’s What You Need

  • Pizza dough: Provides the base and foundation of the pizza.
  • Pizza sauce: Adds moisture, flavor, and a tangy contrast to the toppings.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Offers gooey, melty goodness and a creamy texture.
  • Pepperoni: Adds a spicy and slightly smoky meat flavor to the pizza.
  • Mushrooms: Introduces an earthy, umami element to the flavor profile.
  • Sausage: Enhances the pizza with a savory, hearty meatiness.
  • Jalapenos: Contribute a spicy kick to each bite.
  • Bell pepper: Gives a fresh, crunchy texture and a sweet counterpoint.
  • Pizza toppings: Allows for personalization and adding variety to the pizza.
  • Corn meal: Assists in sliding the pizza onto the stone and adds a slight crunch to the crust.
  • Flour: Helps in rolling out the dough and preventing stickiness.
rolling pizza crust

Let’s Cook!

For that extra oomph, we brushed our crusts with a punchy garlic-infused olive oil. Tossed in some parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and boom – flavor explosion!

brushing crusts

Here’s a tip for you, Hungry People: while we were adventurous (read: reckless) and arranged our toppings directly on the scorching pizza stone, it’s safer to use a pizza board sprinkled with cornmeal. Take it from someone who may have had a minor run-in with the hot stone (yep, that’d be me).

sauce on dough

Nick, with his unique culinary vision, aimed to recreate a Chicago style pizza. He thinks it’s basically a regular pizza but with sauce on top. Between us? He’s got a thing or two to learn! He loaded his pie with mushrooms, jalapenos, sausage, and pepperoni.

adding toppings

Me? I stuck to the classics. Started with a hearty spread of sauce, followed by generous layers of cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, and yes, a hint more cheese, because why not?

pizzas with toppings on pizza stone

We baked the pizzas on the stone until the cheese was melted and the crust was golden brown perfection.

cutting pizzas on pizza stone

Pizza Making Tips & Tricks

  • Choosing the right dough: Always opt for fresh pizza dough. Whether store-bought or homemade, it can make all the difference in achieving that desired crispness and chewiness.
  • Topping distribution: When adding toppings, make sure they’re evenly distributed. This ensures each slice has a good mix of flavors and textures.
  • Preventing a soggy bottom: If your crust turns out soggy, try pre-baking the dough for a few minutes before adding toppings. This can give it a head start and prevent sogginess.
  • Use a pizza stone: A pizza stone can help achieve a crispier crust. If you don’t have one, preheating a baking sheet is a good alternative.
  • Handling spicy ingredients: For those sensitive to heat, consider deseeding jalapenos or using them sparingly.
  • Pizza leftovers: Pizza tastes great the next day! If you want to revive the crust’s crispiness, reheat slices in a pan on the stovetop or use an oven. Avoid the microwave to prevent a chewy crust.

Now, while I usually get to play the role of the perfectionist, trying to capture the most blog-worthy shot of our dishes, Nick? He’s got a one-track mind: dig in and devour.

His beautifully plated pizza:

easy plated pizza

Pizza date nights? A hit across the board. Ideal for all ages and the best part? You don’t need to be a seasoned chef. It’s tailor-made for couples looking to dabble in cooking together or those in search of a chill Friday night activity.

The game plan’s simple: choose your most-loved toppings, snag some ready-to-go dough and sauce, and you’re set for a memorable and tasty date night.

simple date night ideas

Pizza date nights are an absolute blast, aren’t they? Nick and I had so much fun letting our culinary creativity run wild, and the results were simply delectable. The beauty of making pizzas at home is the personal touch you get to add – from the choice of toppings to the thickness of the crust. I really hope our pizza date night gives you a sprinkle of inspiration for your next cozy evening. After all, there’s something genuinely special about crafting a meal with someone you adore. Let’s make more delicious memories together, Hungry People!

easy pizza date night

Pizza Date Night Ideas

The Starving Chef
Craft your own personalized pizza masterpiece with this easy-to-follow pizza date night recipe.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Date Night, Dinner
Cuisine Date Night, Pizza
Servings 2 pizzas

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz (2) raw pizza dough room temperature
  • 2 cups pizza sauce
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cup pepperoni
  • 1 cup mushrooms sliced
  • 1 cup sausage cooked & crumbled
  • 1 cup jalapeno chopped
  • 1 cup bell pepper chopped
  • your favorite pizza toppings!
  • 1 cup corn meal
  • ¼ cup flour

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven (with a pizza stone, if you have one) to 425°F. Roll out your pizza dough on a clean surface dusted with flour. Aim for a thickness of a half inch or thinner. Each piece of dough should yield about a 10-inch round pizza.
  • Place the flattened dough on a flat board (like a wooden cutting board or pizza peel) that's been dusted with cornmeal.
  • Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of pizza sauce onto the dough. Top with your desired amount of cheese and toppings.
  • Carefully shift the assembled pizzas to the pizza stone by sliding them off the flat surface using the pizza peel, placing them directly onto the pizza stone. If you don't have a pizza stone, you can use a baking sheet that's been preheated in the oven.
  • Bake for 10-20 minutes, until the pizza crust is golden and fully baked, and the toppings have melted together.
  • Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before slicing. Dive in and enjoy with your sweetheart!
Keyword pizza, pizza stone
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!