Homemade Pizza

🕒 Prep: 30 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Welcome to the world of homemade pizza, where you can craft a pie just the way you like it. This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures that you can easily customize.

Ingredients for Homemade Pizza

Active dry yeast is the magic behind our dough's rise, giving it that lovely, airy texture. Make sure your warm water is just right at 110°F to activate the yeast properly. All-purpose flour forms the base of our dough, while olive oil helps keep it tender and adds a hint of richness. A touch of sugar feeds the yeast, and salt enhances the overall flavor. For toppings, we have a classic combo: tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Finally, a sprinkle of oregano, basil, and garlic powder adds an aromatic finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding the toppings.
  • Use a pizza stone if you have one for an even better crust texture.
  • Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar or gouda for a unique flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This pizza pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad, perhaps with a balsamic vinaigrette. For drinks, consider a chilled glass of white wine or a light beer. If you’re feeling indulgent, a side of garlic bread never hurts!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it a day in advance. Just let it rise in the fridge overnight.
What if I don't have a pizza pan?
No worries! A regular baking sheet works just fine.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely! Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months.

Homemade Pizza Recipe Walkthrough

Start by dissolving the yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, until it's nice and frothy. While waiting, mix your flour and salt in a large bowl. Once the yeast is ready, add it to the flour mixture along with the olive oil. Stir until a dough begins to form.

Now for the fun part: kneading. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for a good 6-8 minutes. It should feel smooth and elastic under your hands. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about an hour.

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Once the dough has risen, give it a gentle punch to deflate it, and then divide into two balls. Roll each one out on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer to a greased pizza pan or baking sheet, and you're ready to top!

Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, keeping a small border for the crust. Load on the mozzarella, and then arrange your pepperoni, bell peppers, and mushrooms on top. Finish with a sprinkle of oregano, basil, and garlic powder. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let it cool just a bit before slicing up this masterpiece.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Simple ingredients that are easy to find.
  • Customizable toppings to suit any taste.
  • Quick dough rising time ensures you won't be waiting around for hours.
  • A perfect balance of crispy crust and gooey cheese.

Ingredients

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
1/2 cup sliced bell peppers
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with sugar. Let stand until frothy, about 10 minutes.
2. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and olive oil; mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
5. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
6. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two balls for two pizzas.
7. Roll out each dough ball on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
8. Transfer dough to a greased pizza pan or baking sheet.
9. Spread tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
10. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
11. Arrange pepperoni, bell peppers, and mushrooms over the cheese.
12. Sprinkle oregano, basil, and garlic powder on top.
13. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
14. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

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