Description
Savor the ultimate homemade pizza delight that brings Italian culinary magic straight to your kitchen. Crispy crust, melted cheese, and fresh toppings combine for a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups (591 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (473 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (237 ml) warm water
Dough Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Sauce and Toppings:
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) pizza sauce
- Pepperoni (optional)
- Mushrooms (optional)
- Bell peppers (optional)
- Onions (optional)
- Sausage (optional)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by dissolving it with sugar in warm water, allowing the mixture to become frothy and bubbly for approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate flour, salt, and oil into the yeast mixture, blending until a cohesive dough forms.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and methodically knead for 10 minutes, developing a smooth and elastic texture.
- Nestle the dough in a greased bowl, drape with a clean cloth, and position in a draft-free zone to rise until volume doubles, roughly 1 hour.
- Heat the oven to 475F, positioning a pizza stone if available to ensure optimal crispy crust development.
- Deflate the risen dough and roll it out carefully to achieve desired thickness on a generously floured workspace.
- Delicately transfer the stretched dough onto a prepared baking sheet or pizza peel.
- Distribute pizza sauce evenly across the dough’s surface, creating a uniform base layer.
- Generously scatter mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then artfully arrange selected toppings.
- Slide the pizza into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust turns golden and cheese becomes melted and slightly caramelized.
- Allow the pizza to rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve while warm for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.
Notes
- Activate the yeast properly by ensuring water temperature is warm (not hot), which helps it bloom without killing the microorganisms.
- Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a stretchy and smooth texture that results in a crispy yet chewy crust.
- Allow sufficient rising time in a draft-free, warm area to help dough double in volume and enhance flavor complexity.
- Experiment with alternative flour types like whole wheat or gluten-free blends for dietary accommodations without compromising pizza quality.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg