Indulge in the flavors of Italy with this easy homemade pizza recipe featuring classic toppings like fresh arugula, fresh mozzarella, and savory prosciutto. Bringing together crisp textures and authentic tastes, this recipe promises to deliver a slice of Italy right to your kitchen.
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Creating your own homemade pizza is not only deeply satisfying but also allows you to tailor each element to perfection. From the crisp, golden crust to the flavorful toppings, making pizza from scratch guarantees a fresh and delicious meal every time.
This homemade pizza recipe is an ideal choice for a quick dinner with guests, family, or friends, sure to leave everyone in awe! Follow these simple steps to create a delicious homemade pizza that's perfect for any occasion.
If you love Italian dishes, you will absolutely love my pasta recipes! You have to try my Marry Me Chicken Pasta, Creamier Carbonara & Shrimp Linguine!
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What You'll Need to Make this Homemade Pizza!
Pizza Dough:
- All Purpose Flour
- Instant Yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Olive Oil
- Warm Water
Toppings:
- Tomato Sauce
- Ketchup
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Prosciutto
- Fresh Arugula
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Oregano Seasoning
- Sweet Balsamic Glaze (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Follow instructions to make the dough.
Add tomato sauce, cheese & prosciutto.
Bake in the oven.
Add the extra toppings if you'd like!
Preparing your Pizza Dough:
1. Start with combining in a large bowl all your dry ingredients, 1 cup of flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Now add in your olive oil and warm water, stirring with a wooden spoon until well combined.
3. Gradually mix in another 1 cup of flour. Add more if needed (up to ⅓ cup), until the dough forms a cohesive ball that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Drizzle olive oil into a separate large bowl, coating the sides with a pastry brush.
5. Lightly flour your hands, shape the dough into a ball, and place it in the oiled bowl. Roll the dough in the bowl to coat with oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 450°F.
7. Once risen, gently deflate the dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead briefly until smooth, about 3-5 times.
8. Now shape your dough by hand or using a rolling pin into a 12-15 inch circle on a floured pizza pan. Pinch or fold the edges to form a crust.
Topping your Pizza:
1. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
2. Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil on top of the sauce for added richness and flavor.
3. Sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt and a dash of oregano across the sauce to enhance its taste.
4. Grate the mozzarella cheese generously over the pizza, making sure to cover the dough completely while leaving a small border for the crust.
5. Crack fresh black pepper over the cheese to add a subtle, peppery kick.
6. Arrange the fresh prosciutto slices evenly on top of the cheese.
7. Preheat your oven to 450°F and bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese melts and bubbles.
8. Once out of the oven, scatter fresh arugula leaves, thick slices of fresh mozzarella, and halved cherry tomatoes over the hot pizza.
9. For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle a sweet balsamic glaze over the toppings. This step is optional but adds a delightful tangy sweetness.
10. Finally, slice the pizza into portions and serve immediately to enjoy its delicious flavors and textures.
Substitutions for this Homemade Pizza
Pizza Dough:
You can substitute with store-bought pizza dough!
Toppings:
Tomato Sauce: Marinara sauce, Pizza sauce or Crushed tomatoes (seasoned with Italian herbs)
Mozzarella Cheese: Monterey Jack cheese, Cheddar Cheese or any Pizza Cheese you prefer!
Fresh Mozzarella: Burrata cheese, Stracciatella cheese or Ricotta cheese (though the texture is different)
Prosciutto: Canadian bacon, sausages or Pancetta.
Fresh Arugula: Basil or Baby spinach leaves.
Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes or Plum tomatoes (diced)
Olive Oil: Avocado oil, Canola oil or Grapeseed oil.
Kosher Salt: Sea salt
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- Pizza Pan
- Rolling Pin
- Spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Pizza Cutter
- Cheese Grater
Storage
Storing Instructions:
After baking your homemade pizza, allow it to cool completely.
- Wrap the pizza slices or store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the pizza slices in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1-2 months.
Reheating Instructions:
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Place the pizza slices on a baking sheet.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is warmed through.
Skillet Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Place the pizza slice(s) in the skillet, cover with a lid, and heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Microwave Method:
- Place a single pizza slice on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave on high for 30-60 seconds, or until heated through. Time may vary depending on your microwave's power.
3 Top Tips for Success!
1. Use High-Quality Ingredients: Start with the best quality ingredients you can find, especially for key components like the dough, sauce, and cheese. Fresh ingredients like good quality mozzarella or fresh herbs can make a significant difference in flavor.
2. Preheat Your Oven and Use a Pizza Stone or Steel: Preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible (typically around 500-550°F / 260-290°C) for at least 30 minutes before baking. This ensures a crispy crust and properly melts the cheese. If you have a pizza stone or steel, preheat it along with the oven. These tools help to evenly distribute heat and mimic the effect of a professional pizza oven.
3. Master Your Dough: Pay attention to your pizza dough. Whether you make it from scratch or use a store-bought dough, allow it to rest and rise properly. Stretch or roll out the dough evenly to achieve a uniform thickness. Brush the edges with olive oil for a golden crust. Experiment with different dough recipes to find one that suits your taste and texture preferences.
FAQ's
The key to good homemade pizza is using high-quality ingredients and properly preheating your oven with a pizza stone or steel to achieve a crispy crust and well-melted cheese.
You can tell homemade pizza is done when the crust is golden brown and crisp, the cheese is fully melted and bubbly, and any toppings like vegetables or meats are cooked through. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes in a preheated oven at high temperature (around 500°F / 260°C).
Homemade pizza allows you to customize toppings and flavors to your liking, ensuring freshness and quality of ingredients. It's also a fun and satisfying cooking experience that can be shared with friends and family.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite desserts to serve with this Homemade Pizza Recipe:
Easy Italian Style Homemade Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start with combining in a large bowl all your dry ingredients, 1 cup of flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Now add in your olive oil and warm water, stirring with a wooden spoon until well combined.
- Gradually mix in another 1 cup of flour. Add more if needed (up to ⅓ cup), until the dough forms a cohesive ball that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil into a separate large bowl, coating the sides with a pastry brush.
- Lightly flour your hands, shape the dough into a ball, and place it in the oiled bowl. Roll the dough in the bowl to coat with oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Once risen, gently deflate the dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead briefly until smooth, about 3-5 times.
- Now shape your dough by hand or using a rolling pin into a 12-15 inch circle on a floured pizza pan. Pinch or fold the edges to form a crust.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
- Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil on top of the sauce for added richness and flavor.
- Sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt and a dash of oregano across the sauce to enhance its taste.
- Grate the mozzarella cheese generously over the pizza, making sure to cover the dough completely while leaving a small border for the crust.
- Crack fresh black pepper over the cheese to add a subtle, peppery kick.
- Arrange the fresh prosciutto slices evenly on top of the cheese.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F and bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Once out of the oven, scatter fresh arugula leaves, thick slices of fresh mozzarella, and halved cherry tomatoes over the hot pizza.
- For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle a sweet balsamic glaze over the toppings. This step is optional but adds a delightful tangy sweetness.
- Finally, slice the pizza into portions and serve immediately to enjoy its delicious flavors and textures.
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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