Ordering pizza is cool, but making it is even more exciting. When you know how make a pizza at home, you can make any flavour you wish to enjoy at any time. Also, you get to make it into your preferred texture — thin and crispy or thick and chewy. Think of the magic you could create for different family gatherings and special occasions, or even for simple family snacks and fun times.
Homemade pizzas have a way of leaving a unique and memorable taste on the tastebud. More so, with this detailed description of the steps involved in making your own pizza, you can hardly go wrong. You are only a few scrolls away from becoming a Pizzaiolo. So, let’s get baking!
Recipe for Easy Pizza
The ingredients and procedure described below are for making two 12-inch (30 cm) pizzas in 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the rising time and baking time.
Ingredients for Pizza
For the dough:
- 2 ¼ cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the sauce:
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings (choose your preference from the options):
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- sliced pepperoni
- sliced mushrooms
- bell peppers
- onions
- olives, etc.
Optional Ingredients:
- Torn fresh basil leaves
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
How to Prepare the Dough for Pizza
Step 1: Proofing the Yeast
Start this recipe homemade pizza dough by proofing the yeast. Put ¾ cup of lukewarm water in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast into it. Then stir gently and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. The yeast should turn frothy after this time, indicating that it is still active and alive. In the case of instant yeast, however, the froth may be minimum.
Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients
Next step on how make a pizza at home, add the dry ingredients to the large mixing bowl. Then take the 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour and add 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt to it. Give it a good mix so that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Adding the Olive Oil
To give our dough a nice flavour and texture, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Drizzle the olive oil into the bowl and continue mixing everything together. You’ll notice that the dough will start to come together, but it might still be a bit sticky. That’s completely normal!
Step 4: Kneading the Dough
After that, dust a clean surface with some flour, and transfer the dough onto it. Start kneading the dough by pushing it away from you with the palms of your hands, then folding it back towards you. Repeat this motion, pushing and folding, for about 5-7 minutes. Kneading helps develop the gluten in the dough, giving it a nice elasticity and structure.
Step 5: Checking the Dough Consistency
As you knead the dough, you’ll notice it becoming smoother and less sticky. Keep kneading until the dough feels soft and elastic. If it still feels too sticky, you can sprinkle a little more flour on your hands or the surface. Be careful not to add too much flour, as it can make the dough dry and tough. That’s how make a pizza at home to get the right texture.
Step 6: Allowing the Dough to Rise
Once you’ve kneaded the dough to the right consistency, it’s time to let it rise. Take a clean bowl and grease it with a little olive oil. Place the dough in the greased bowl, turning it around so that it gets coated with the oil. This will prevent it from sticking to the bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to create a warm and humid environment for the dough to rise. Leave for 1-2 hours or until it doubles the size. You can prepare the sauce while you wait.
How To Make Sauce for Pizza at Home
Step 1: Mix Tomatoes and Seasonings
Take a can of crushed tomatoes and open it using a can opener. Then, pour the crushed tomatoes into a mixing bowl. You can use a spoon to scrape out all the tomato goodness from the can. Next, add 1 clove of finely minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1 teaspoon of dried basil. Also, add salt and pepper to taste and mix thoroughly.
Step 2: Letting the Flavors Marry
To allow the flavours to meld together, cover the bowl of sauce with plastic wrap or a lid and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes at room temperature. This resting period allows the herbs and garlic to infuse their flavours into the crushed tomatoes, resulting in a more flavourful sauce.
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How to Make a Pizza at Home
Step 1: Punching Down the Dough
After patiently waiting for the dough to rise, you’ll notice that it has puffed up and doubled in size. It’s time to punch it down! So, gently press your fist into the centre of the dough to release the trapped air. This step helps redistribute the yeast and gives the dough a more uniform texture.
Step 2: Preparing the Work Surface
Sprinkle a clean work surface with flour or cornmeal to prevent the dough from sticking. Then, transfer the punched-down dough onto the floured surface.
Step 3: Shaping the Dough
Divide the dough into equal portions. Then take one portion of the dough and shape it into a ball by tucking the edges underneath and rolling it in a circular motion on the floured surface. Repeat this process with the remaining portions of dough. That’s how make a pizza at home with great shape.
Step 4: Resting the Dough
Cover the dough balls with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rest for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and makes the dough easier to stretch and shape.
Step 5: Shaping the Pizza Crust
Take one of the rested dough balls and place it on a floured surface. Then flatten it with your hand (preferred) or a rolling pin, starting from the centre and working your way outward. Continue to stretch and shape the dough into a round or rectangular shape, depending on your preference. Aim for a thickness that suits your taste, whether it’s thin and crispy or thick and chewy. Also, keep the centre slightly thicker than the edges.
Step 6: Transferring the Dough
Once the dough is shaped, transfer it to a pizza peel or a baking sheet dusted with flour or cornmeal. This helps prevent sticking and makes it easier to slide the pizza into the oven later. If using a peel, make sure it’s well coated with flour or cornmeal to ensure a smooth transfer.
Step 7: Adding the Sauce and Toppings
Spread a generous amount of sauce onto the shaped dough, leaving a small border around the edges of the crust. Then, use the back of a spoon or a ladle to evenly distribute the sauce. After that, sprinkle a layer of shredded or sliced cheese over the sauce. Then, add your toppings. Arrange them evenly over the cheese, covering the pizza to your liking.
Step 8: Final Touches
For how make a pizza at home for an extra burst of flavour, you can add some torn fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on top of the toppings. Overall, these optional additions can elevate the taste and presentation of your pizza.
Step 9: Baking the Pizza
Preheat your oven to the highest temperature setting (usually around 500°F or 260°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating to ensure it gets nice and hot. Once the oven is hot, carefully slide the prepared pizza onto the preheated stone or place the baking sheet directly in the oven. Bake the pizza for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
How To Make a Pizza at Home With a Grill
If you’re looking for a smoky and charred flavour, grilling your pizza is a fantastic option for making your own pizza. Firstly, preheat your grill to medium-high heat and prepare your pizza dough and toppings. Once the grill is hot, brush some oil on one side of the rolled-out dough and place it directly on the grill grates, oiled side down.
Close the lid and let it cook for a couple of minutes until the bottom is lightly charred and has grill marks. Then, carefully flip the dough using a spatula or tongs, add your sauce and toppings, and grill for a few more minutes until the crust is cooked and the cheese is melted to perfection. Grilling pizza adds a unique smoky flavour that’s hard to resist.
Final Words
Now that you know how make a pizza at home, go ahead and enjoy this fun process of preparing delicious pizza for you and your family. You could even try different flavours for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Remember that you can always store any excess dough in the refrigerator for up to three days and use it at room temperature when you are ready to give your family another threat.
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