If you’re a pizza lover, you’re in for a treat! Today, we’ll be sharing a fantastic homemade pizza recipe that will make your taste buds dance with joy. This delicious pizza is perfect for those who appreciate the simple pleasure of a classic cheese pizza or enjoy adding their favorite toppings.
Dough that’s Delightfully Golden
To make the perfect pizza, it all starts with the dough. Don’t worry; we’ll guide you through the process step by step. For the dough, you’ll need:
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- 1¼ cups room temperature water
- 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon + 4 tablespoons olive oil
Begin by whisking together the flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Then, add the water and melted butter, and mix until fully combined. You can use a dough hook if you have a mixer or mix everything by hand if you prefer. Once the dough becomes glossy, smooth, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, you’re ready for the next step.
A Sauce that Brings Flavors to Life
While your dough is rising, we’ll prepare a flavorful sauce. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup grated onion
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the grated onion, dried oregano, and salt, and cook until the liquid has evaporated and the onion turns golden brown. It should take about 5 minutes. Next, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, around 30 seconds.
Now, stir in the crushed tomatoes and sugar, increase the heat, and bring it to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until the sauce reduces to about 2½ cups. Once it’s done, take it off the heat and stir in the basil, olive oil, and season it with salt and pepper. Your aromatic sauce is now ready to be slathered on the pizza!
Luscious Layers of Flavor
As the dough rises, it’s time to laminate it for added fluffiness. Here’s how to do it:
- Roll the dough into a 15×12-inch rectangle on a dry work surface.
- Spread the softened butter over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border along the edges.
- Roll the dough tightly into a cylinder, starting from the short end. Then, flatten the cylinder into an 18×4-inch rectangle, making sure the seam is at the bottom.
- Cut the rectangle in half crosswise and fold each half into thirds, like a business letter. Pinch the seams together to form two balls.
- Place the dough balls back into the oiled bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and let it rise in the refrigerator until nearly doubled in volume. This should take around 40 to 50 minutes.
The Art of Assembling the Pizza
As your dough balls are rising, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and coat two 9-inch round cake pans with olive oil. Here’s how to assemble the pizzas:
- Take one dough ball and roll it out into a 13-inch circle on a dry work surface.
- Gently roll the dough around a rolling pin and unroll it onto the pan, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
- Press the dough lightly into the pan, working it into the corners and 1-inch up the sides. If the dough resists stretching, let it relax for 5 minutes before trying again.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough ball.
Toppings that Add a Cheesy Smile
Now comes the fun part – adding your favorite toppings! In this recipe, we’ll focus on a classic cheese pizza, but feel free to get creative with your toppings. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese (about 4 cups)
- Pepperoni (optional)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sprinkle 2 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the surface of each pizza. If you’re using any additional toppings like pepperoni, now is the time to add them on top of the cheese. Then, spread 1¼ cups of tomato sauce over the cheese and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan over the sauce.
Baking Your Masterpiece
Place your pizzas in the preheated oven (lower rack) and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the crust turns a lovely golden brown. Once the pizzas are done, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before you slice and serve.
Prepare yourself for a delightful, homemade pizza that will impress everyone at the table! Enjoy your creation, and don’t forget to share this recipe with your pizza-loving friends.
We hope you enjoy making this delicious homemade pizza recipe as much as we did! If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to leave a comment below. We’d love to hear about your pizza-making adventures and any unique toppings you tried. Happy baking!
