Homemade Pizza

Homemade Pizza Recipe

Making homemade pizza allows you to customize the flavors, crust, and toppings to your liking. Here's a basic recipe for homemade pizza:

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)

• 2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• Salt and pepper to taste

For Toppings:

• Shredded mozzarella cheese

• Your favorite toppings (pepperoni, sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pizza Dough:

1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of flour and salt. Make a well in the center.

3. Pour the yeast mixture into the well, add olive oil, and gradually incorporate the flour until the dough comes together.

4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If it's too sticky, add more flour as needed.

5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.

2. Make the Pizza Sauce:

1. In a bowl, mix together crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasonings to taste.

3. Preheat the Oven:

1. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can go (usually around 475°F/245°C).

4. Roll Out the Dough:

1. Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a floured surface.

2. Roll the dough into your desired pizza shape and thickness. If you prefer a thin crust, roll it thinner; for a thicker crust, leave it a bit thicker.

5. Assemble the Pizza:

1. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza stone or a baking sheet.

2. Spread an even layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

3. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.

4. Add your favorite toppings.

6. Bake the Pizza:

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Serve:

1. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.

2. Optionally, sprinkle fresh basil or grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

Enjoy your delicious homemade pizza! Feel free to experiment with different toppings and crust variations to suit your taste.