Using grocery store pizza dough is a great way to easily make delicious homemade pizza. Most grocery stores sell pre-made pizza dough that only requires a few extra ingredients and steps to turn into a tasty pizza. This dough allows you to skip the time-consuming process of making dough from scratch. In this article, we will explore how to best use grocery store pizza dough and make the most of this convenient product.
What types of pre-made pizza dough can you buy?
There are a few main types of pre-made pizza dough available at grocery stores:
- Fresh dough – This is dough that needs to be refrigerated and has a short shelf life. It will be near the bakery section or deli of the grocery store.
- Frozen dough – Frozen dough has a longer shelf life and can be stored in the freezer until you are ready to use it. It is usually found in the frozen section.
- Shelf-stable dough – This type of dough is pasteurized and vacuum sealed so it can be stored at room temperature. It has a long shelf life before opened.
The most common sizes of pre-made dough at grocery stores are 12 inch and 16 inch rounds. You can also sometimes find pre-shaped crusts and mini personalized dough balls. Pick the size and type of dough that works best for your needs.
How to store grocery store pizza dough
Proper storage is important for getting the most out of your grocery store dough:
- Fresh dough – Keep refrigerated and use within 1-2 days of purchasing for best quality and taste.
- Frozen dough – Store frozen until ready to use. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or a few hours at room temperature before using.
- Shelf-stable dough – Store unopened at room temperature. Once opened, keep refrigerated and use within 3-5 days.
Allow dough to come to room temperature
For best results, you want your pizza dough to be at room temperature before you start shaping and topping it. Take the dough out of the refrigerator and allow it to rest on the counter for 1-2 hours until it comes to room temp. Cold dough will be stiff and hard to stretch.
Preheat your oven and pizza stone
Getting your oven fully preheated is key for crisp crust. Preheat your oven to 500°F or the highest temperature possible. Place a pizza stone, steel, or inverted baking sheet in the oven to heat up as well. These will help mimic a brick pizza oven. Allow at least 30 mins for oven and stone to fully heat up.
Stretch and top the dough
Clear a work surface and lightly flour it. For a 12-16 inch pizza, take the dough and gently stretch it out to desired size and shape. Adding flour as needed will prevent sticking. Top with desired sauces, cheese, and toppings. Don’t overdo it on toppings or the crust may get soggy.
Bake the pizza
Carefully transfer topped dough to the preheated pizza stone or pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the crust is crisp and golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning. Allow pizza to rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for working with grocery store dough
Follow these tips for handling store-bought dough:
- If dough is sticky, coat hands and work surface lightly with flour.
- Handle the dough gently – don’t tear or rip it.
- Let dough come to room temp before stretching to prevent cracking.
- Use a rolling pin if you struggle stretching by hand.
- Don’t over-top or load up on too many wet toppings.
- Use cornmeal to prevent sticking if baking directly on oven rack.
Different ways to shape grocery store dough
Grocery store dough is very versatile. Here are some shapes you can make:
- Classic circular pizza – Stretch into a 12-16 inch circle. Best for feeding a crowd.
- Rectangle pizza – Roll dough into a large rectangle. Great for Sicilian-style pizza.
- Personal pizzas – Divide dough into smaller balls to make individual pizzas.
- Calzones – Fill half of dough circle, fold over and seal edges.
- Breadsticks – Roll dough into a long rope and cut into strips. Brush with olive oil and season.
- Pizza pockets – Cut rounds of dough, add toppings and pinch edges to seal.
Quick and easy pizza ideas
To get you started, here are some quick and easy grocery store dough pizza ideas:
| Pizza Style | Topping Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Margherita | Fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato sauce |
| BBQ Chicken | Shredded chicken, red onion, BBQ sauce, cheddar |
| Veggie | Mushrooms, peppers, spinach, goat cheese, pesto |
| Supreme | Pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onions |
| Hawaiian | Ham, pineapple, shredded mozzarella |
| Breakfast | Scrambled eggs, bacon, potato, red onion, mozzarella |
Get creative with sauces and toppings! Homemade pizza is a blank slate for customization.
How to add flavor to grocery store dough
If using basic plain dough, there are easy ways to infuse more flavor:
- Brush with olive oil and garlic before baking for garlic flavor.
- Brush with pesto sauce or pesto oil before baking.
- Sprinkle dried Italian herbs or red pepper flakes on before baking.
- Mix shredded cheese like parmesan into the dough to create a cheese crust.
- Coat crust with browned butter and garlic after baking.
- Top with fresh herbs like oregano and basil after baking.
Unique pizza crust options
Change up your basic pizza with one of these unique crusts:
- Cauliflower crust – Use riced cauliflower for a low-carb option.
- Thin crust – Roll dough very thin for a crispy crust.
- Thick crust – Let dough proof longer to rise more for a fluffy crust.
- Stuffed crust – Fill outer edges of crust with cheese.
- Garlic knots – Tie dough in knots, coat with garlic oil and bake.
- Gluten-free crust – Buy specialty gluten-free dough or make your own.
Pizza toppings to use up what’s in your fridge
Searching for inspiration for pizza toppings? Take a look in your fridge and use up leftovers and veggies on hand:
- Cooked chicken, beef or sausage
- Wilted spinach or kale
- Roasted vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, peppers
- Sliced onions, olives, tomatoes
- Crumbled feta or goat cheese
- Chunky salsa or marinara sauce
- BBQ sauce, pesto, hummus
- Fresh or jarred artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes
Almost anything can work as a pizza topping! The possibilities are endless.
Troubleshooting grocery store dough issues
Here are some common grocery store dough issues and how to troubleshoot them:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Dough is sticky and hard to handle | Lightly coat hands and surface with flour |
| Dough tears when stretching | Let it rest at room temp longer to relax gluten |
| Pizza comes out dense and hard | Don’t over-knead dough, keep toppings light |
| Crust burns or overcooks | Use lower temp, watch closely, use pizza stone |
| Toppings slide off | Spread sauce and cheese to edges to seal |
| Dough flavor is bland | Brush with oil and spices before baking |
Storing and reheating leftover pizza
To keep leftover pizza tasting fresh, store it properly and reheat it using these methods:
- Let pizza cool completely before storing.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents drying out.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 days max.
- Reheat refrigerated slices in a 300°F oven until warm, 5-10 minutes.
- Microwave single slices 30 seconds to 1 minute until hot.
- Place pizza box in a low oven, 250°F, to warm up the entire pie.
- Crisp up crust using a toaster oven or skillet.
Other ways to use up grocery store pizza dough
If you have extra pizza dough, here are some other fun ways to use it up:
- Breadsticks – Roll into long strips, bake with oil and spices.
- Garlic knots – Tie dough in knots, coat with butter, garlic, and parmesan.
- Breakfast – Shape into pancake rounds, cook like normal.
- Appetizers – Cut out dough rounds, top with cheese, bake for flatbread.
- Calzones – Fill half circle of dough, fold over, seal edges.
- Pizza rolls – Roll dough, add filling, pinch seams to seal.
Conclusion
Grocery store pizza dough provides a convenient shortcut to making homemade pizza. Allow dough to come to room temperature before stretching it out on a floured surface and adding your favorite sauces and toppings. Bake your creations in a very hot oven for the ideal crisp crust. Proper storage of unused dough and leftovers prevents waste. Impart extra flavor by brushing crust with Italian seasoning, garlic or pesto oil before baking. Let your imagination run wild coming up with fun shapes and topping combinations using this versatile dough base. In no time you can whip up tasty artisan-style pizzas at home to make any night feel like a pizza party!