How to Make Homemade Pizza: Recipe and Instructions

Making pizza at home can be a fun and delicious activity. Here's a basic recipe for making homemade pizza:

Ingredients:

For the pizza dough:

HOW TO MAKE PIZZA

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
¾ cup warm water

2 tablespoons olive oil

For the pizza sauce:

1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste

For the toppings:

Shredded mozzarella cheese
Your choice of additional toppings such as sliced pepperoni, cooked sausage, sliced bell peppers, sliced onions, mushrooms, etc.

Instructions:

Prepare the pizza dough:In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.


Prepare the pizza sauce:

In a saucepan, combine the crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.

Cook the sauce over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Remove the sauce from heat and let it cool.


Preheat the oven:

Preheat your oven to the highest temperature setting (usually around 475-500°F or 245-260°C). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven while it preheats.


Shape the pizza dough:

Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide it into desired portions for individual pizzas.
Roll out each portion into a round or rectangular shape, about ¼ inch thick. You can also stretch the dough by hand if you prefer a more rustic look.


Assemble the pizza:

Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza peel or the back of a baking sheet dusted with flour or cornmeal.
Spread a thin layer of the pizza sauce onto the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
Add your desired toppings on top of the cheese.


Bake the pizza:

Carefully transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.


Serve and enjoy:

Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
Slice the pizza and serve it while it's still warm and fresh.

Feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite toppings, herbs, or spices. Enjoy your homemade pizza!