If you’re a pizza lover but tired of ordering the same old pies from delivery places or spending a fortune at pizzerias, making pizza at home is the perfect solution. Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need to be a professional chef or have fancy equipment to whip up a delicious homemade pizza. With a simple recipe, basic ingredients, and a little patience, you can create a mouthwatering pizza that rivals those from your favorite restaurants. So, let’s dive into the easiest recipe for homemade pizza that will have you enjoying a fresh, hot slice in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dough
The foundation of any great pizza is its dough. For this easy recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients to make the dough:
2 1/4 teaspoons (or 1 packet) of active dry yeast: Yeast is what makes the dough rise, giving your pizza a light and airy texture.
1 teaspoon of sugar: The sugar helps feed the yeast, promoting fermentation and a good rise.
1 cup of warm water: The water should be warm to the touch, not hot. It activates the yeast and helps bind the ingredients together.
2 1/2 cups of all – purpose flour: This is a versatile flour that provides the right amount of structure for the dough.
1/2 teaspoon of salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the dough.
2 tablespoons of olive oil: Olive oil adds moisture and a subtle flavor to the dough, making it more tender.
Sauce
A delicious sauce is key to a great – tasting pizza. You can make a simple tomato – based sauce with these ingredients:
1 can (14.5 ounces) of crushed tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes are convenient and have a great texture for pizza sauce.
1 teaspoon of dried oregano: Oregano is a classic Italian herb that gives the sauce a traditional flavor.
1 teaspoon of dried basil: Basil adds a fresh, aromatic note to the sauce.
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder: Garlic powder provides a garlicky flavor without the need to chop fresh garlic.
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder: Onion powder complements the garlic and other flavors in the sauce.
A pinch of salt and pepper: To taste, these seasonings enhance the overall flavor of the sauce.
1 tablespoon of olive oil: Olive oil helps blend the flavors and gives the sauce a nice consistency.
Toppings
The beauty of making your own pizza is that you can customize the toppings to your liking. Here are some basic and popular topping ideas, but feel free to get creative:
8 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella is the classic pizza cheese, known for its stretchy and creamy texture when melted.
Your choice of toppings such as pepperoni slices, cooked sausage, sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, olives, or fresh tomatoes. You can also add herbs like fresh basil leaves for a burst of freshness.
Making the Dough
Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 – 10 minutes. You should see the mixture start to foam and bubble. This indicates that the yeast is active. If there’s no foam, your yeast may be dead, and you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
Add the wet ingredients: Pour the activated yeast mixture and the olive oil into the well in the dry ingredients.
Knead the dough: Use a wooden spoon or your hands to stir the ingredients together until a rough dough forms. Then, transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5 – 7 minutes, adding more flour as needed if the dough is too sticky. The dough should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticking to your hands or the surface.
Let the dough rise: Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 – 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. A warm spot in your kitchen, like near a sunny window or on top of a pre – warming oven, works well.
Preparing the Sauce
Combine the sauce ingredients: In a medium – sized bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
Taste and adjust: Give the sauce a taste. If you want a stronger flavor of any particular herb or a bit more saltiness, you can add a little more of the respective ingredient. Remember, the sauce will intensify in flavor as it bakes on the pizza.
Assembling the Pizza
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats. A pizza stone helps create a crispy crust, but if you don’t have one, you can use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased pizza pan.
Punch down the dough: Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release any air bubbles. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
Roll out the dough: Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a circular or rectangular shape, depending on your preference and the size of your baking surface. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 – 1/2 inch. You can also stretch the dough by hand, starting from the center and working your way out to the edges.
Transfer the dough: Carefully transfer the rolled – out dough onto the preheated pizza stone, baking sheet, or pizza pan.
Add the sauce: Spread the prepared pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1 – inch border around the edges for the crust. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to spread the sauce.
Sprinkle the cheese: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. The cheese will melt and create a delicious, gooey layer on your pizza.
Add the toppings: Arrange your chosen toppings on top of the cheese. Be careful not to overload the pizza with too many toppings, as this can make the crust soggy.
Drizzle with olive oil (optional): For an extra – rich flavor and a crispy crust, you can drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the toppings.
Baking the Pizza
Bake the pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12 – 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on the pizza as it bakes, as oven temperatures can vary, and you don’t want it to burn.
Check for doneness: You can check if the pizza is done by gently lifting the edge of the pizza. The bottom should be crispy and browned. If it’s still pale or soft, let the pizza bake for a few more minutes.
Serving and Enjoying
Let it cool: Once the pizza is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This allows the cheese to set and makes it easier to slice without the toppings sliding off.
Slice and serve: Use a sharp pizza cutter or a large knife to slice the pizza into pieces. Serve it hot and enjoy your delicious homemade pizza! You can pair it with a simple salad, a glass of your favorite beverage, or even some garlic bread for a complete meal.
Tips and Variations
Make – ahead dough: You can make the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator. After kneading the dough, place it in an airtight container and let it rise in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to make the pizza, take the dough out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling it out.
Gluten – free option: If you’re gluten – intolerant, you can use a gluten – free all – purpose flour blend instead of regular all – purpose flour. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the flour package for the right dough consistency.
Vegetarian and vegan variations: For a vegetarian pizza, load it up with plenty of fresh vegetables like spinach, artichokes, and zucchini. To make a vegan pizza, use a vegan cheese substitute and omit any meat – based toppings. You can also make a vegan sauce by using tomato paste thinned with water and adding extra herbs and spices.
Different shapes: Don’t be afraid to get creative with the shape of your pizza. You can make mini – pizzas for individual servings, square – shaped pizzas, or even braid the dough for a unique look.
Making homemade pizza doesn’t have to be complicated. With this easy recipe, you can enjoy a delicious, freshly – made pizza in the comfort of your own home whenever the craving strikes.
Conclusion
Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a casual get – together with friends, or just for yourself, this homemade pizza is sure to be a hit. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and start creating your own pizza masterpieces today!
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