Homemade Pizza Dough and Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 0.5 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 2 tsp instant dry yeast (If using active dry yeast, follow the instructions on the package.)
• 4 cup all-purpose flour (Plus more for dusting and lightly flouring the dough.)
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (Plus more for greasing the bowl and pizza baking tray.)
• pizza sauce (Add after the dough's initial 5-minute bake; quantity not specified.)
• pizza toppings (Use any toppings desired; quantity and types not specified.)
• cheese (Mentioned as browning during the final bake; type and quantity not specified.)

Steps

1. 1

   In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center, then add the olive oil and instant dry yeast. If using active dry yeast instead, follow the instructions on its package.

2. 2

   Using a spoon, mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough begins to form and the flour is mostly hydrated.

3. 3

   Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead for 10–15 minutes, until it is soft, smooth, and bouncy. Form the dough into a taut round.

4. 4

   Grease a clean, large bowl with additional olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it to coat it with oil.

5. 5

   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for at least 1 hour, or for up to 24 hours.

6. 6

   Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead for about 1 minute.

7. 7

   Cut the dough into 2 equal portions and shape each portion into a round.

8. 8

   Lightly flour the dough rounds, cover them with a kitchen towel, and let them rest for another 30 minutes to 1 hour while you prepare the sauce and any other ingredients.

9. 9

   Preheat the oven as high as it will allow, between 450°F and 500°F (230°C and 260°C).

10. 10

    Roll each dough round into the desired shape.

11. 11

    Lightly grease the pizza baking tray with additional olive oil and place the shaped dough on it.

12. 12

    Bake the pizza dough for 5 minutes.

13. 13

    Remove the partially baked dough from the oven and add pizza sauce and any desired toppings, including cheese if using.

14. 14

    Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 15 more minutes, or until the crust and cheese are golden brown.

15. 15

    Slice the pizza and enjoy.

Notes

The source does not specify the amount or type of pizza sauce, cheese, or other toppings. Rising may take anywhere from 1 hour to 24 hours; the total time reflects the minimum rise and rest periods. The source says to bake on a pizza baking tray but does not specify whether the tray should be preheated.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pizza
• Italian
• vegetarian-optional
• baked
• yeast-dough
• family-friendly