Image via Pixabay by dni2012
What’s not to love about a pizza smothered in sauce, oozing with cheese, and adorned with scrumptious toppings? Have you ever thought of making your own pizza from the comforts of home? When it comes to making your own pizza, you might think it takes too much work. But did you know that the dough itself requires just a few ingredients, and you can add whatever toppings you crave?
Ingredients
These ingredients make enough dough for two 10- to 12-inch pizzas.
- 1 1/3 cups warm water (it should be between 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit)
- 1 standard packet of instant yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (you can also use bread flour, which will make for a crispier crust, since it is higher in gluten)
Instructions
- To prepare the dough, whisk the warm water, instant yeast, and granulated sugar in a bowl. If you’re using a stand mixer, fit the paddle attachment or the dough hook to it. If you don’t have a stand mixer, combine the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and use a wooden spoon to mix. Cover the bowl, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Combine the olive oil, salt, and flour. Mix on a low speed for about 2 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, and place it on a floured surface. Knead it for 3 to 4 minutes. You can use the mixer to knead the dough, although it might be too heavy to mix thoroughly. Afterward, the dough should remain soft. To determine its softness, press the dough with your finger, and if it slowly poofs back, it is ready to rise. If it doesn’t, continue kneading.
- Use oil or nonstick spray to grease a large bowl. You can use the same bowl you mixed the dough in. Cover the entire dough ball with oil, and place it in the bowl. Cover the bowl, and let the dough rise for about 60 to 90 minutes or until it doubles in size.
- If you have more time, you could allow the dough to rise for 8 to 12 hours in the refrigerator. This slow rise will give the dough more flavor. Make sure the dough has doubled in size, though, before using it. If it hasn’t, let it sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before punching it down.
Pick Your Toppings
While the dough is rising, that’s a good time to figure out what types of toppings you want on your pie. The options really are endless, and there is truly no right or wrong topping. Everyone has their favorites and probably toppings that they just cannot stand.
Keep in mind that since the recipe makes enough dough for two pizzas, make sure you have enough toppings. You should have 1/2 cup pizza sauce and 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese for each pie. You can also use fresh soft mozzarella cheese and separate it into small clumps as well as other types of cheese including feta, fontina, and Parmesan.
If you need topping ideas, here are a few popular options:
Meat and Seafood
- Anchovies
- Bacon
- Barbecue chicken
- Ground beef
- Ham
- Pepperoni
- Sausage
Vegetarian
- Basil
- Black or green olives
- Broccoli
- Green peppers
- Jalapenos
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Pineapple
- Roasted red peppers
- Spinach
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Tomatoes
Assemble the Pizza
After the dough has risen, it’s time to put the pizza together.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Cut the dough in half, as this recipe makes enough for two pizzas.
- Place the dough on a surface lightly covered with flour. Flatten the dough gently into a disc and use a rolling pin or your hands to create a 12-inch circle. Lift the edges to create a barrier to hold the sauce.
- To prevent the sauce from turning your pizza crust into a soggy mess, lightly brush the dough with olive oil. Top with the sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings.
How to Bake
You aren’t limited to just cooking your homemade pizza in the oven, although that is still a possibility. Try one of these options:
Oven-Only Method
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease the pizza pan or baking sheet with olive oil or nonstick spray.
- Prepare the pizza.
- Insert the sheet or pan into the oven.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Oven-Broiler Method
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease the pizza pan or baking sheet with olive oil or nonstick spray.
- Prepare the pizza.
- About 5 minutes before you plan to cook the pizza, turn on the broiler. This method results in a perfectly cooked pie.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Grilling Method
- Heat your gas grill to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit or get your charcoal grill lit and burning.
- Grease a baking pan with olive oil or nonstick spray.
- Place only the dough on the pan.
- Cook the dough on the grill for about 3 minutes. Avoid closing the lid if possible to prevent charring.
- Flip the dough and immediately apply sauce, cheese, and toppings.
- Close the grill, and cook for 3 more minutes.
Freeze the Dough
Since the recipe makes two 12-inch pizzas, you can opt to freeze one of the balls of dough to make at a different time. Lightly coat the dough you wish to freeze with olive oil or nonstick spray. Place the dough ball in a freezer-safe, zipped-top plastic bag, and seal tightly. Make sure you remove as much air as possible before placing the bag in the freezer. You can freeze the dough for up to three months.
When you’re ready to use the frozen dough, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for about eight hours or overnight. Before you make the pizza, remove it from the refrigerator and let it rest for about 30 minutes on the counter.
It’s easy for you to create your own pizza at home. Sure, it won’t turn out exactly like one from Pequod’s Pizza, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be delicious. So what are you waiting for? Head to the store and grab all the ingredients you need to make your own pizza so you can enjoy a piping hot pie today.