Traditional Homemade Pizza

🕒 Prep: 1 hour 30 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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There’s something magical about making pizza from scratch. This traditional homemade pizza recipe brings the cozy feeling of an Italian kitchen right to your home. With a crispy crust and flavorful toppings, it's a surefire way to impress family and friends.

Ingredients for Traditional Homemade Pizza

All-purpose flour is the backbone of our pizza dough, providing structure and chewiness. Active dry yeast is what makes our dough rise, giving it a light and airy texture. A pinch of sugar helps activate the yeast, while salt enhances the dough's flavor. Warm water is crucial for dissolving the yeast, and olive oil adds richness and helps create a tender crust. For the toppings, pizza sauce provides a tangy base, mozzarella cheese melts beautifully, and pepperoni and black olives add savory depth. Finally, a sprinkle of dried oregano and basil brings a fragrant, herby finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your kitchen is cold, let the dough rise in a slightly warmed oven (turned off) to speed up the process.
  • Use a pizza stone if you have one for an extra crispy crust.
  • Brush the crust with a little garlic butter before baking for added flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This pizza pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette. A glass of chilled white wine or a crisp soda complements the savory toppings beautifully. For dessert, consider a simple fruit sorbet to cleanse the palate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. Let it rise once, then punch it down and refrigerate in a covered bowl for up to 24 hours.
How can I make it a vegetarian pizza?
Simply skip the pepperoni and load up on veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions.

Traditional Homemade Pizza Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a large bowl and mixing together the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. This dry mix is your dough's foundation. Next, pour in the warm water and olive oil. Stir until everything comes together in a shaggy dough. When it starts sticking together, it's time to knead.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Knead it for about 6-8 minutes, pushing it down and folding it over itself. You'll know it's ready when it's smooth and elastic, bouncing back slightly when poked.

Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise. Find a warm spot in your kitchen and let it sit for about an hour, or until it's doubled in size.

While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Once risen, punch down the dough to release the air. Roll it out to fit a 12-inch pizza pan, creating a slight lip around the edges for that classic crust.

Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border for the crust. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese across the sauce, then layer on the pepperoni and olives. Finish with a sprinkle of oregano and basil.

Bake your pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. You'll know it's done when the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing, then serve up your homemade masterpiece.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy-to-follow for beginner to seasoned cooks.
  • Customizable with your favorite toppings.
  • Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
  • Quick rise time compared to other dough recipes.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup warm water (110°F)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Add warm water and olive oil, then mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 6-8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
6. Punch down the dough and roll it out to fit a 12-inch pizza pan.
7. Spread pizza sauce over the crust, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
8. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then add pepperoni and olives.
9. Sprinkle oregano and basil over the toppings.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
11. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

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