Description
Create the ultimate homemade pizza with a foolproof dough that comes together quickly. This recipe captures the joy and connection Sara and Liam bring to cooking, turning your kitchen into a stage for delicious discovery.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 cup pizza sauce (your favorite)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your favorite toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, etc.)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy. This shows the yeast is active.
- Mix the dough: Add the flour, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If it feels too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- First rise: Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for 60 to 90 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat and prepare: About 30 minutes before the dough is done rising, place a pizza stone or baking sheet in your oven and preheat to 475°F (245°C).
- Shape the crust: Gently punch down the risen dough. Divide it in half (this recipe makes two medium pizzas). On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll one half into a 12-inch circle or rectangle.
- Assemble: Carefully transfer the dough to a piece of parchment paper dusted with cornmeal. Spread half the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a one-inch border. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and your desired toppings.
- Bake: Slide the parchment paper and pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, rotating halfway through, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven. Let it cool for a minute before slicing and enjoying the connection you created.
Notes
- For a fast rise, place the dough in an oven that is turned off but has the light on to create a warm environment.
- If you want a crispier crust, place the baking surface in the oven while it preheats; this heats the surface before the dough touches it.
- Don’t overload your pizza with toppings. Too many wet ingredients cause a soggy center.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pizza)
- Calories: Approximately 250
- Sugar: Approximately 3g
- Sodium: Approximately 400mg
- Fat: Approximately 8g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: Data not calculated
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 35g
- Fiber: Approximately 2g
- Protein: Approximately 11g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 15mg