Homemade Italian Pizza Dough Recipe

Basic Pizza Dough Recipe

Cook Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours
Recipe Category: Vegetable
Keywords: European, Kid Friendly, Oven, Less than 4 Hours

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (1/4 oz) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• White cornmeal (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast:

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   • In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1 cup of lukewarm water. Let it stand for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.

2. Prepare the Dough:

   • In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the salt in the remaining 1/4 cup of lukewarm water. Add the dissolved yeast mixture to this.

3. Mix the Dough:

   • Stir in 2 1/2 cups of the all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms. Beat well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.

4. Knead the Dough:

   • On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough, gradually adding the remaining flour until the dough is smooth and elastic. This should take about 8-10 minutes of kneading.

5. First Rise:

   • Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning it to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

6. Punch Down and Divide:

   • Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release excess air. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a ball.

7. Second Rise:

   • Place each ball of dough into separate oiled bowls, turning them to coat with oil. Cover again with the kitchen towel and let them rise for another 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until doubled in size.

8. Prepare for Baking:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Sprinkle a 10-inch pizza pan with white cornmeal.

9. Shape the Dough:

   • On a lightly floured surface, stretch and shape each ball of dough to fit your pizza pan. Create a rim around the edges to form a crust.

10. Bake the Pizza:

    • Add your favorite toppings and bake the pizzas in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

11. Serve:

    • Remove from the oven and let the pizzas cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes:

• For a thicker Sicilian-style pizza, use one portion of dough in a 9×13-inch pan and top with crushed tomatoes, grated Romano cheese, herbs, and your favorite toppings.
• Experiment with different toppings like mozzarella, olives, sausage, and peppers to create your perfect pizza!

This versatile Basic Pizza Dough recipe is perfect for creating delicious homemade pizzas and can also be used for other savory bakes like focaccia or calzones. Enjoy making and customizing your pizzas with this simple and flavorful dough!