Description
Making pizza at home has never been easier or more delicious! This homemade pizza recipe gives you a crispy, chewy crust topped with fresh pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, and your favorite toppings. Whether you like classic pepperoni or prefer a veggie-loaded pizza, this recipe allows you to create the perfect pie right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm water (110°F or 43°C)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Pizza:
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, sausage)
Instructions
- Make the Dough:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then stir until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the Pizza:
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
- Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles, then divide it into two portions (for two pizzas) or keep it whole for one large pizza.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness (about 12 inches for one pizza).
- Transfer the rolled-out dough to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or preheated pizza stone.
- Assemble the Pizza:
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then add your favorite toppings.
- Bake the Pizza:
- Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve:
- Slice the pizza and serve hot with any additional toppings or seasonings of your choice.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, you can pre-bake the dough for 5-7 minutes before adding the sauce and toppings.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, sauces, and toppings to create your perfect pizza.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour rising time)
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Pizza, Italian, Homemade
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Vegetarian (can be modified to be gluten-free with the right dough)