Pizza is a beloved dish enjoyed by people all over the world. It’s no wonder why – with its crispy crust, gooey cheese, and endless topping possibilities, pizza is the ultimate comfort food. While ordering pizza from your favorite pizzeria is always a great option, there’s something special about making homemade pizza from scratch. Not only does it allow you to customize your pizza to your liking, but the process of making the dough and sauce from scratch is truly rewarding.
If you’ve never made homemade pizza before, don’t worry – it’s easier than you think. With a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a delicious homemade pizza that rivals any pizzeria. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps of making homemade pizza from scratch.
1. The Dough
The first step in making homemade pizza is the dough. While you can certainly buy pre-made pizza dough from the store, making your own dough from scratch is not as intimidating as it may seem. To make pizza dough, you’ll need flour, yeast, salt, water, and olive oil.
Start by mixing the flour, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add in the water and olive oil, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for about an hour, until it has doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air bubbles, then divide it into two equal pieces. Roll out each piece into a round shape, about 12 inches in diameter, and place it on a pizza stone or baking sheet.
2. The Sauce
While the dough is rising, you can prepare the pizza sauce. To make a basic tomato sauce, you’ll need canned tomatoes, garlic, onion, olive oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs such as oregano and basil.
Start by sautéing the garlic and onion in olive oil until they become translucent. Add in the canned tomatoes, salt, pepper, and dried herbs, and simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes, until it has thickened. Use a hand blender to puree the sauce until smooth.
Spread a generous amount of sauce over the rolled-out pizza dough, leaving a border around the edges for the crust.
3. The Toppings
Now comes the fun part – adding the toppings! The options are endless when it comes to pizza toppings, so feel free to get creative. Some classic options include mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and olives.
Start by adding a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Then, add your desired toppings, making sure not to overload the pizza as this can weigh down the crust and make it soggy.
4. Baking the Pizza
Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can go, typically around 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the pizza in the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Once the pizza is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade pizza with a side salad or garlic knots for the perfect meal.
Making homemade pizza from scratch may take a little time and effort, but the end result is well worth it. Not only will you have a delicious pizza that you can customize to your liking, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you made it from scratch. So next time you’re craving pizza, skip the delivery and try making your own homemade pizza – you won’t be disappointed!
