Perfect Homemade Pizza Recipe 

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Creating pizza at home is an enjoyable and satisfying activity. This recipe will walk you through making an ideal homemade pizza, complete with a tasty dough, rich tomato sauce, and your choice of toppings. Relish the experience and the flavor of a freshly baked pizza right from your own oven. 

Ingredients 

Pizza Dough: 

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (160 g) 
  • 1 tsp yeast 
  • 1 tsp sugar 
  • ¼ tsp salt 
  • 1 tbsp olive oil 
  • 3 fl oz warm water (90 ml) 

Tomato Pizza Sauce: 

  • 14 oz tomatoes (400 g), canned or fresh 
  • 1 garlic clove, minced 
  • 4-5 basil leaves, chopped 
  • 1 tbsp oregano 
  • 2 tbsp olive oil 
  • Black pepper to taste 
  • ¼ tsp salt 
  • 1 tsp sugar 
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste 

Pizza Toppings: 

  • Pepperoni sausage slices 
  • 7 oz mozzarella cheese (200 g), shredded 
  • Sliced onion 
  • Sweet corn 

Instructions 

Prepare the Dough: 

  1. Activate the Yeast: 
  • In a small bowl, mix together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes until bubbles form and the mixture becomes foamy. 
  1. Make the Dough: 
  • In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt thoroughly. Create a hollow in the middle and pour in the olive oil followed by the yeast mixture. 
  • Mix until a dough forms. Adjust the consistency as needed: add more flour if the dough is too sticky or a bit more water if it’s too dry. 
  1. Knead the Dough: 
  • Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, drape a damp cloth over the top, and allow it to rest in a warm environment for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in volume. 
  1. Let the Dough Rise: 
  • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. 

Prepare the Tomato Sauce: 

  1. Cook the Sauce: 
  • Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until it’s warm. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. 
  • Add the tomatoes, basil leaves, oregano, salt, black pepper, sugar, and tomato paste. Stir to combine. 
  • Let the sauce simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring now and then, until it reaches a thicker consistency. 

Assemble the Pizza: 

  1. Preheat the Oven: 
  • Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Preheat your oven and, if available, place a pizza stone inside to warm up. 
  1. Roll Out the Dough: 
  • Deflate the risen dough by pressing it down, then move it to a floured surface. Roll it out into a circle or your desired shape, about ¼ inch thick. 
  1. Add the Sauce: 
  • Spread a thin layer of the prepared tomato sauce over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. 
  1. Add Toppings: 
  • Distribute the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly atop the sauce. 
  • Add the pepperoni slices, sliced onion, and sweet corn as desired. 

Bake the Pizza: 

  1. Bake: 
  • Transfer the pizza to a baking sheet or a preheated pizza stone. 
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. 

Serve: 

  1. Slice and Serve: 
  • Take the pizza out of the oven and allow it to cool briefly for a few minutes. 
  • Cut the pizza into slices and serve while still hot. 

Conclusion 

This homemade pizza recipe offers a delightful combination of a crispy crust, savory tomato sauce, and flavorful toppings. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or a fun cooking project with family and friends. Enjoy your homemade pizza and the satisfaction of creating it from scratch!