Cooking Lucid
Homemade Pizza with Trader Joe's Pizza Dough
Crispy, bubbly homemade pizza in under 30 minutes — no kneading required. Trader Joe's refrigerated pizza dough stretches beautifully, and a ripping-hot oven gives you that pizzeria char at home.
Prep 15 min
Cook 12 min
Total 27 min
Serves 2
Ingredients
Step 1 — Pizza dough
- 1 ball Trader Joe's Pizza Dough (plain or Garlic & Herb), brought to room temperature
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Cornmeal or semolina (for dusting)
Step 2 — Quick pizza sauce
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes or pizza sauce
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of salt
Step 3 — Cheese and toppings
- 1½ cups low-moisture mozzarella (shredded)
- ¼ cup Parmesan (grated)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, or bell peppers (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring the dough to room temperature
Remove the Trader Joe's dough from the fridge 30–60 minutes before baking. Cold dough springs back when you stretch it; room-temperature dough is much easier to work with.
- 2
Make the sauce
Stir together crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, oregano, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. (Jarred pizza sauce works too — no judgment.)
- 3
Preheat the oven
Place a pizza stone, baking steel, or inverted baking sheet on the middle rack. Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes — a hot surface is what gives you a crisp bottom.
- 4
Shape the dough
Lightly flour a work surface. Gently press the dough ball into a flat disc, then stretch from the center outward using your knuckles or by draping over your fists. Aim for a 12-inch round about ¼ inch thick. Transfer to a parchment-lined peel or baking sheet dusted with cornmeal.
- 5
Top and bake
Brush the edge with olive oil. Spread sauce in a thin layer, leaving a ½-inch border. Add mozzarella, Parmesan, and any toppings — don't overload or the center stays soggy. Slide onto the hot stone and bake 10–12 minutes until the crust is deeply golden and the cheese is bubbling with charred spots.
- 6
Rest and serve
Transfer to a cutting board and rest 2–3 minutes (this keeps the cheese from sliding). Top with fresh basil, slice, and serve immediately.
Nutrition per serving: 480 cal · 22g protein · 54g carbs · 20g fat · 3g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
