Pizza, a delectable dish with a rich history, has captivated taste buds worldwide. Originating in Naples, Italy, this culinary masterpiece has evolved into a global phenomenon, enjoyed in homes, restaurants, and pizzerias alike. Its versatility lies in its endless variations, from classic Margherita to creative gourmet toppings, catering to diverse preferences and dietary restrictions.
This comprehensive guide delves into the art of preparing the perfect pizza dough, providing step-by-step instructions for both traditional and modern methods. Whether you prefer the classic hand-kneaded technique or the convenience of a stand mixer, we've got you covered.
For those seeking a healthier alternative, we offer a selection of whole wheat, gluten-free, and vegan dough recipes that compromise on neither taste nor texture. And for those with time constraints, our no-knead and quick-rise dough recipes offer effortless pizza-making solutions.
Once you've mastered the dough, explore our curated collection of pizza sauce recipes, ranging from the classic tomato sauce to unique pesto, white sauce, and arrabbiata variations. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, you'll create flavorful sauces that elevate your pizza experience.
No pizza is complete without toppings, and our extensive toppings section features everything from classic mozzarella and pepperoni to gourmet options like artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and artisanal cheeses. We also provide guidance on portion control and topping combinations to ensure a well-balanced and visually appealing pizza.
To ensure a perfectly baked pizza, we delve into the intricacies of oven temperatures, baking times, and techniques. Whether you're using a traditional oven, a pizza oven, or even a grill, our expert tips will help you achieve that crispy crust and gooey, melted cheese that defines a great pizza.
And for those who love pizza but may be short on time or kitchen space, we've included a section on pre-made dough and frozen pizza options. We provide tips on selecting the best store-bought dough and frozen pizzas, as well as suggestions for customizing them with your favorite toppings and sauces.
With this comprehensive guide, you'll embark on a culinary journey that will transform you into a pizza-making maestro. From mastering the dough to selecting the perfect toppings, we've got everything you need to create pizzas that will impress your family and friends. So, put on your apron, preheat your oven, and let's get started on your pizza-making adventure!
RUSTIC ITALIAN PIZZA DOUGH RECIPE
The absolute best, easy, thin and crispy rustic Italian pizza dough recipe you will ever make.
Provided by Florentina
Categories Pizza
Time 17m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat your oven as high as it will go for at least 45 minutes to one hour.
- In the bowl of your kitchen aid and using the paddle attachment mix the flour, sea salt and active dry yeast (
- Switch to the dough hook and mix together on low speed for 8 to 10 minutes. The dough should be smooth and sticky but should not stick to the sides of the bowl, only a little to the bottom.
- (If the dough sticks to the sides sprinkle in a little more flour, if it is too dry then add a bit more water).
- After the 8 minutes have passed remove the dough from the kitchen aid and cut it into 6 pieces and form them into rounds. Place them on a lightly oiled cookie sheet and drizzle with 1 tbs of extra virgin olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit at room temperature and rise for 2 hours in a draft free area. ( I prefer the oven )
- Sprinkle the counter with a little bit of flour, take one piece of dough and press down on it with your fingers until you have 1/2" thick circle or oval. Using your fists and knuckles start stretching the dough until 10" in diameter making sure not to tear it ( this should be easy since it is a small pie).
- Dust your pizza peel (or a piece of cardboard) very well with semolina flour or corn meal and set your pizza dough on it making sure it slides easily when moved. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of the pizza sauce in the center and spread it around with the back of a spoon leaving 1 inch of space at the edges and making sure not to get any on the peel. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and add your favorite toppings. ( Don't add too many toppings, keep in mind this is a thin crust and a couple of toppings will suffice ).
- Gently slide the pie on the preheated pizza stone in a hot 525 degree or more oven, and bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. When making the breakfast pizza I find that the egg cooks perfectly in 6 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the basil and freshly grated parmigiano reggianno. Allow to rest for a few minute for the cheese to set.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 353.3 kcal, Carbohydrate 73.3 g, ServingSize 1 serving
THE BEST PIZZA DOUGH
This easy pizza dough recipe is the key to making an extraordinary homemade pizza. We use all-purpose flour because double zero is hard to find. But if you're lucky enough to live near an Italian market or willing to purchase double zero flour online, using this flour will take your crust to the next level. You won't be disappointed with the results! -Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 2 crusts (8 servings each).
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a small bowl, mix warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar; add yeast and whisk until dissolved. Let stand until bubbles form on surface. In a large bowl, whisk 3 cups flour, salt, remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and, if desired, dried herbs. Make a well in center; add yeast mixture and oil. Stir until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead, adding more flour to surface as needed until no longer sticky and dough is smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes; transfer bowl to refrigerator and chill overnight. Allow dough to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes, before rolling.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 144 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 121mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
ITALIAN PIZZA DOUGH
My home-made pizza dough; I make it 3 to 4 times a week.
Provided by Ignazia Vella
Categories Bread Pizza Dough and Crust Recipes
Time 1h25m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Stir yeast and sugar into lukewarm water, using a fork. Let stand in a warm place until a creamy layer forms on top of the water, about 10 minutes.
- Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Mix olive oil into flour and stir for 2 minutes. Pour yeast mixture and beaten egg into flour mixture and stir to make a stiff dough. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until springy and smooth, about 8 minutes. Place dough into a floured bowl and cover with a piece of plastic wrap wiped with a thin film of olive oil.
- Let dough rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down and roll out to desired shape.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 207.7 calories, Carbohydrate 32.6 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fat 5.8 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 5.7 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 207.5 mg, Sugar 0.5 g
BASIC PIZZA DOUGH (ITALIAN)
Make and share this Basic Pizza Dough (Italian) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by gourmet_hunter
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h18m
Yield 2-3 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the yeast into a small bowl and sprinkle with the sugar. Add 125 mL of lukewarm water, then stir to dissolve the yeast and sugar. Cover with a clean tea towel and prove in a warm spot for 30 minutes.
- Sift the flour into a large bowl. Make a hollow in the centre and pour the yeast mixture, salt, olive oil and 5-7 tbsp of water into it.
- .
- Knead everything into a smooth silky dough, shape into a ball.
- Dust the ball with a little flour, cover and set for an hour or until the dough doubles in volume.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1104.9, Fat 22.9, SaturatedFat 3.2, Sodium 1171.4, Carbohydrate 193.3, Fiber 7.6, Sugar 1.7, Protein 27.4
QUICK AND EASY PIZZA CRUST
This is a great recipe when you don't want to wait for the dough to rise. You just mix it and allow it to rest for 5 minutes and then it's ready to go!! It yields a soft, chewy crust. For a real treat, I recommend you use bread flour and bake it on a pizza stone, but all-purpose flour works well too. Enjoy!
Provided by CHEF RIDER
Categories Bread Pizza Dough and Crust Recipes
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or baker's peel dusted with cornmeal. Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 169.8 calories, Carbohydrate 28.1 g, Fat 4 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 292.8 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially flour and yeast. Fresh, active yeast is essential for a light and airy dough.
- Make sure the water is warm, but not hot, to activate the yeast. Hot water will kill the yeast.
- Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. This will help develop the gluten in the flour and make the dough strong.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for at least an hour, or until it has doubled in size. This will give the yeast time to ferment and produce carbon dioxide, which will make the dough light and airy.
- Preheat the oven to the highest temperature possible before baking the pizza. This will help create a crispy crust.
- Use a pizza stone or baking sheet to bake the pizza. This will help conduct heat evenly and prevent the bottom of the pizza from becoming soggy.
- Don't overload the pizza with toppings. Too many toppings will make the pizza soggy.
- Bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Conclusion:
Making pizza dough from scratch is a rewarding experience. With a little practice, you'll be able to make delicious pizza dough that you can use to create your own unique pizzas. Just remember to use high-quality ingredients, follow the instructions carefully, and let the dough rise properly. With a little patience and effort, you'll be able to make pizza dough that is just as good as, if not better than, what you get at a pizzeria.
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