Homemade pizza recipe can be the most fun and satisfying thing you make, customizing everything about this quintessential dish just the way you like it.
Homemade Pizza Recipe
If done properly in the comfort of your home you can easily compete with a high-quality restaurant pizza. From the deliciously crispy crust to the ever-so enticing toppings and cheese combination, there are truly no limits with home made pizza. You can make your own pizza creations at home with a few ingredients and a little bit of practice. This guide helps you step-by-step the process for the characteristics of really good homemade pizza and answers some frequently asked questions, plus a few tricks from the trade to make your pizza night successful.
Homemade Pizza: Ingredients
Here are the essential ingredients you will need to get started with the recipe:
For the Dough:
2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour (more for dusting)
1 cup warm water (110°F)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce:
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
For the Toppings:
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Favorite toppings (pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, olives, etc.)
Homemade Pizza Recipe with Step by Step Pictures
Step 1: Make the Dough
Step 1 —Activate the Yeast:In a small bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Do not stir, and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, until a foam forms. It generally indicate that the yeast is alive and ready to use.
Step 2: Combine The Dry Ingredients — In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Pour the yeast mixture and the olive oil in. Combine the ingredients with a wooden spoon until they form into the dough.
Step 3: Knead the dough — Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. You can add some flour if the dough is very sticky.
Step 4: Leaving the dough to rise, shape the dough in to a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and allow to rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In a large bowl, mix together tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes) with the olive oil, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and dried basil.
Combine thoroughly until all combined. Set aside. Tip: Prepare the sauce a day before and the flavors will deepen.
Step 3: Prep the Oven and a Place to Bake
Set your oven to its highest heat (@ 475°F-500°F), and place a pizza stone or baking sheet into the oven to preheat. A mouth-watering crust only happens if you pre-heat the baking surface.
Give the oven at least 20-30 minutes to completely heat up.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
Punch down the dough to release the air.
If you want smaller pizzas you can divide the dough in half or you can take the whole dough and make one big pizza.
On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the dough into a circle 12 inches in diameter.
Step 5: Assemble the Pizza
Put the dough directly on a square of parchment paper to slip it onto the hot pizza stone or baking sheet.
Brush a light coating of sauce on the dough, leaving a bit of border around the edges that will be the crust.
Spread a thin layer of shredded mozzarella over the sauce, then add anything else you desire.
Step 6: Bake the Pizza
Place the pizza (still on the parchment paper) onto the baking surface in the oven.
Place in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is delightfully chewy and slightly browned.
Remove the pizza from the oven when baked, slice it and serve!
How to Make a Perfect Homemade Pizza
Tip: Use Bread Flour For A Chewier Crust If you want a chewier crust with a little more backbone, replace some or all of the all-purpose flour with bread flour.
Don′t Load on Toppings Overloading toppings will make your pizza soggy so stick to a couple of your favorite ones
Try Cheese Combos: Using mozzarella, provolone, and a touch of Parmesan can take the taste to another level.
For A Crisper Crust:Bake the crust without sauce and toppings for 5 minutes.
Rest the Dough If It Shrinks→If your dough is very rubbery and keeps on retracting, then let it rest for about 5 minutes before attempting to shape it again.
10 Questions We Get Most About Making Pizza at Home
Which flour is best for pizza dough?
Though we use all-purpose flour, bread flour or Italian “00” flour would give you a same but chewier crust. Bread flour has higher gluten content, making for a crust with nice bite, while “00” flour makes for a more classic Italian-style finish.
How do I achieve a crispy pizza base?
For a crisp base, heat your oven to the highest setting it can take, and use a pizza stone or turn a baking sheet upside down. To get really crispy bottom, a great trick is to par-bake the base for a couple of minutes before adding your toppings.
Is it possible to prepare the dough ahead of time?
The answer is a simple yes, you can indeed prepare the pizza dough ahead of time! Knead, leave to rise, punch down, store in the fridge for three days max. Chill the dough in the refrigerator or freeze it for up to 3 months. Warming dough: Take refrigerated dough out and let it come to room temperature
Why Does My Pizza Stick to the Stone or Baking Sheet?
Parchment paper is an easy no-stick solution. Or sprinkle some cornmeal or semolina flour onto the stone or baking sheet; this will make it easier for the dough to slip off.
Margarita Pizza (Gluten-Free) Question: Is this gluten free dough?
Yes, gluten-free flours like almond, rice, or chickpea flours can be made into pizza dough. Certain brands allow simplicity by offering a pre-mixed gluten free pizza flour to make things easier and save time.
How to make a pizza vegan?
Just use vegan cheese or skip the cheese altogether in favour of flavourful toppings like roasted veggies, olives and fresh herbs. Gluten-free flours are also free from non-vegan products so they can either be made with the use of regular flour, gluten-free flours or both.
Should I pre-cook my toppings before putting them on the pizza?
Some toppings should be cooked first (raw meats or any dense veggies such as mushrooms, onions. That street level so they are all the way done by the time the crust in the chees are all the way done
So why is this homemade pizza of mine soggy?
Too much sauce, food overload or undercooked pizza can give you a soggy pizza. They can help to reduce the soggy crust if you use a pizza stone, par-bake the dough, and sparse with toppings.
Anyway, how on God s green earth can I save pizza?
Leftover pizza can be stored in the fridge for 3 days, in an airtight container. To reheat, place in a preheated oven or toaster oven for best results and to crisp it back up.
Question: How to make pizza without an oven?
Question: Can you cook pizza on the stove?Answer: Yes, you can use a cast-iron skillet to bake a stovetop pizza. Spread the dough out on the hot skillet at the back, cook it for a few minutes, so it is golden on one side, flip it up, pile on your toppings, cover the skillet, and cook until the cheese has melted, and the crust is cooked through.
Additional Topping Ideas
If you want to branch out a little, here are some unique topping suggestions:
Margherita Originale: Fresh mozzarella, basil & tomatoes
BBQ Chicken: BBQ sauce, chicken, red onions and cilantro
House Special: One of a kind with Bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, spinach and artichocks.
Carnivore:Pepperoni, sausage, bacon and ham
Mediterranean: Feta cheese, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes.
Conclusion
The possibilities are endless for homemade pizza which makes it a great dish for friends and family. With this guide, some practice with the toppings, along with the pro tips and tricks, you will create scrumptious pizzas at home in no time! And, when you make your own pizza, you’re in total control of the ingredients, so it’s healthier and you can definitely make it more to your preference than what comes in a box.
Pizza recipe at home is, whether you are a bit of an expert cook or not, one of those dinners which is both satisfying and tastes good. Enjoy your pizza night!