How to make Italian Pizza

Making authentic Italian pizza involves a few key steps, from preparing the dough to selecting quality ingredients. Here's a basic recipe for making traditional Italian pizza:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

1. 4 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 ½ teaspoons salt
3. 1 teaspoon sugar
4. 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
5. 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
6. 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:

1. 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2. 2 cloves garlic, minced
3. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
4. 1 teaspoon dried basil
5. Salt and pepper to taste
6. 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
For Topping:

1. Fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
2. Fresh basil leaves
3. Additional toppings of your choice (e.g., sliced tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, prosciutto)
Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:
a. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
b. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
c. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
d. Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
e. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.

2. Prepare the Sauce:
a. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
b. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
c. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach (typically around 500°F or 260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.

4. Shape the Pizza:
a. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into the desired number of pizza crusts.
b. On a floured surface, roll out each portion into a round shape, creating a thin crust.

5. Assemble the Pizza:
a. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza peel or an inverted baking sheet.
b. Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce over the dough.
c. Add slices of fresh mozzarella and any additional toppings of your choice.

6. Bake the Pizza:
a. If using a pizza stone, carefully transfer the pizza onto the hot stone in the oven. If not, place the pizza on a baking sheet.
b. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

7. Garnish and Serve:
a. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
b. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and additional toppings if desired.

Now you have a delicious homemade Italian pizza! Enjoy!