Homemade Pizza Recipe

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water (around 110°F / 43°C)
• 3 ½ – 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp salt

For the Sauce:

• 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes (or cook down your own)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

For the Toppings:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)
• Additional toppings of choice (pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, etc.)

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Add olive oil, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Mix well, then gradually add the remaining flour until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes, until it becomes elastic and smooth. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour as needed.
4. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar. Let the sauce simmer on low for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Adjust seasoning to taste, then remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step 3: Assemble the Pizza

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
2. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two portions for two pizzas, or keep it whole for one large pizza.
3. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. For a thicker crust, let the dough rest for another 10 minutes.
4. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a baking sheet or a pizza peel (if using a stone).
5. Spread a thin layer of the sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Sprinkle an even layer of mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
6. Add your desired toppings evenly across the pizza.

Step 4: Bake

1. Carefully transfer the pizza to the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
2. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

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Tips

• For extra crispiness: Pre-bake the crust without toppings for 5 minutes, then add toppings and bake until done.
• For a chewy crust: Substitute ¼ cup of flour with bread flour, which has more gluten.
• Storage: Store leftover dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it for later use.

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Enjoy your homemade pizza!

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