Grumpy Sicilian Pizza
Nobody in our family can watch an entire football season like a normal person. We created a pool, complete with a commissioner, a rulebook nobody agreed to, and deadlines enforced with alarming seriousness. The consequences are apparently enormous.
My pool name is The Cardinals Rule.
This would be funnier if the Cardinals actually did.
Hope springs eternal in Arizona.
By Thursday, the trash talking starts. By Sunday morning, everyone is convinced they’ve cracked the code. And Johnny B and I? We hide our picks from each other until game time because apparently decades of marriage do not extend to football-pool intel.
There are accusations. There is gloating. Occasionally there is football.
And there is always food.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Want the recipe? No judgment—jump straight there:
Jump to the Recipe ↓
Why You'll Love It
Feeds the whole pool. One pizza makes plenty to share—and you don’t need a commissioner to decide on the toppings.
Make-ahead friendly. The dough rises while you're doing literally anything else, including yelling at a referee on TV.
Forgiving crust. Thick, golden, and a little crispy on the bottom — nobody's dough game has to be perfect for this to turn out great.
Endlessly adaptable. Keep it classic or build it out with your family's favorite toppings — see notes below.
Short on time? No shame in the shortcut. Trader Joe's pizza dough works beautifully if game day sneaks up on you.
Prep time: 15 minutes | Rise time: 1½–2 hours | Bake time: 20–25 minutes | Total time: About 2½ hours | Course: Appetizers & Small Bites
Ingredients
For the Dough
1 packet active dry yeast
1½ cups warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
3½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the pan
For the Pizza
1½ cups pizza sauce or marinara
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Fresh basil, for serving
Olive oil, for drizzling
How to Make It
Start the dough. Stir together the warm water, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy. Add the flour, salt and olive oil and mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead and rise. Knead for 3–5 minutes, then place in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rise for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled.
Prep the pan. Generously coat the pan with olive oil. Press the dough gently to the edges, cover and let rest for 20–30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°F.
Top and bake. Spread with sauce, then add mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper, if using. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Finish and serve. Let cool for 5 minutes, then slice. Top with fresh basil and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Pro Tips & Notes
Shortcut approved. Trader Joe’s pizza dough works beautifully when you’re short on time.
Use a sauce you love. Rao’s is my go-to here.
Don’t be stingy with the olive oil. The pan gets a generous coating before the dough goes in.
Make it yours. This recipe is very adaptable—add any toppings your crowd loves. Pepperoni and pineapple are a popular playoff-week pick around here.
What to Serve With It
Beer. Obviously.
This is pizza night. We are not going to pretend otherwise by adding a sad little side salad and calling it balance.
Put out a few cold beers, maybe some Italian Marinated Olives if you want something to nibble on before the pizza hits the table, and call dinner handled.
Make it easier on yourself:
A good pizza stone, pizza wheel, and pizza peelmake homemade pizza night a whole lot smoother. These are my favorites.
Want the Printable Version?
Download the Printable Recipe →
Hosting friends for football?
My free Game Day on the Patio guide has the menu, shopping list, prep timeline, setup checklist, and printable labels—all handled before kickoff.
