Ingredients:
For the pizza dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup warm water (110°F or 43°C)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the pizza sauce:
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the toppings:
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- Your favorite toppings (e.g., pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, etc.)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pizza Dough: a. In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy. b. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. c. Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture. d. Mix until a dough forms. e. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. f. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Pizza Sauce: a. In a small saucepan, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. b. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute until fragrant. c. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. d. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
3. Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can go (usually around 500°F or 260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven during this time to preheat as well.
4. Shape and Assemble the Pizza: a. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into the number of pizzas you want to make. b. On a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into your desired pizza crust thickness. c. Transfer the rolled-out dough onto a pizza peel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Add Toppings: a. Spread a layer of the prepared pizza sauce over the dough. b. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce. c. Add your favorite toppings.
6. Bake the Pizza: a. If you have a pizza stone, carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated stone in the oven. If not, just place the baking sheet with the pizza in the oven. b. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
7. Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a minute or two, slice, and enjoy your homemade pizza!
Feel free to customize your homemade pizza with your favorite ingredients and experiment with different toppings to create your perfect pizza. Enjoy!