There’s something magical about creating your own pizza from scratch, watching the dough rise, spreading your favorite toppings, and then waiting with delicious anticipation as it bakes to perfection. The best part is, that you can customize it exactly how you like. In this guide, we’ll dive into how to make your own homemade pizza.
Pizza Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F or 45°C)
- 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- For this homemade pizza crust recipe, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. The mixture should become frothy.
- In a larger mixing bowl, combine 3 ½ cups of flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together.
- Transfer the homemade pizza dough to a floured surface. To knead, push the dough away from you with the heel of your hand, then fold it back over itself. Turn the dough slightly and repeat. Do this for about 8-10 minutes. The dough should be smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, add a bit more flour.
- Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil and place the dough inside. Turn the dough so it’s coated with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and knead it for 2-3 minutes. Divide the dough into two equal pieces if you want to make two pizzas. Shape each piece into a dough ball. Let the dough rest for about 10 minutes before rolling it out.
- Using a rolling pin or your hands, roll out the dough into your desired shape and thickness. If you prefer a thin crust, roll it out thinner. For a thicker pizza crust, leave it a bit thicker. Make sure to roll it evenly.
- Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza stone, baking sheet, or pizza pan that’s lined with baking paper or olive oil.
Extra Tips:
- If your kitchen is cold, you can let the dough rise in the oven. Preheat the oven to 200°F, then turn it off and place the covered bowl inside with the oven door slightly open.
- The dough is ready when it doesn’t spring back immediately when you poke it with your finger.
- If you don’t plan to use the dough immediately, you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.
How to Make the Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Instructions
- Open the can of whole peeled tomatoes and pour them into a large bowl. Crush the tomatoes by hand or use a potato masher. If you prefer a smoother sauce, use a blender or food processor to purée the tomatoes. Set them aside.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Add the crushed tomatoes to the saucepan with the garlic. Stir in the sugar, salt, dried oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well.
- Add the tomato paste to the saucepan to thicken the sauce.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Once it starts to simmer, reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer for about 20-30 minutes.
- After simmering, taste the tomato sauce and adjust the seasonings if required. You can add more salt, pepper, or sugar to suit your taste. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a little water.
- Once the sauce is done, let it cool to room temperature before spreading it on your pizza dough.
Extra Tips:
- Use good quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor. San Marzano tomatoes are a great choice.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer to thicken.
- If you have fresh herbs, you can use them instead of dried ones. Use about three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried.
How to Assemble and Bake the Pizza
Ingredients
- Prepared pizza dough
- Prepared pizza sauce
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, vegetables)
Instructions
- Set your oven to 475°F (245°C) and let it preheat for at least 30 minutes.
- Spread a thin layer of your homemade pizza sauce over the dough, leaving about an inch of space around the edges for the crust.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. You can also use other types of cheese like provolone, Parmesan, or cheddar.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and olives.
- Place your baking sheet or pizza pan with the prepared pizza directly in the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Once the pizza is done, use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut it into wedges.
Summary
Making homemade pizza is fun. By following this easy homemade pizza recipe, you can make a pizza that tastes just as good as your favorite pizzeria.
Ever wanted to make the perfect pizza at home? Easy to use and perfect for experimenting with various toppings, MisterChef ensures delicious results every time. Shop with us today.