Description
This homemade pizza recipe features a crispy, golden crust topped with a rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and optional pepperoni slices, perfectly seasoned with dried oregano and basil. Ideal for a cozy family dinner or casual gathering, this easy-to-make pizza offers delicious homemade flavor from scratch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 2.25 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 packet instant yeast (approximately 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
- 0.75 cup warm water (about 110°F)
For the Toppings
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup sliced pepperoni (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (for garnish)
- 0.5 teaspoon dried basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar to ensure the ingredients are well distributed.
- Add wet ingredients and form dough: Stir in the olive oil and warm water until a dough forms, incorporating all the flour.
- Knead the dough: On a floured surface, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten for a chewy crust.
- Let dough rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven and prepare dough: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Punch down the risen dough to release air, then roll it out on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle.
- Assemble the pizza: Transfer the rolled dough to a pizza stone or baking sheet. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Add pepperoni slices if desired.
- Bake: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with dried oregano and dried basil. Slice into pieces and serve hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use warm water around 110°F (43°C) to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
- For a crispier crust, use a pizza stone if available and preheat it in the oven before baking.
- You can substitute the all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
- The pepperoni is optional – feel free to add your favorite toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives.
- Let the dough rise in a draft-free, warm spot to ensure it doubles properly.
- If you prefer a thinner crust, roll the dough out larger than 12 inches, adjusting baking time as needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 pizza
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: homemade pizza, pizza dough recipe, easy pizza recipe, Italian pizza, mozzarella pizza, pepperoni pizza
