How To Prepare Pizza at Home

Pizza is a savory dish usually consisting of a round, flattened base of leavened wheat-based dough topped with tomatoes, cheese, and often various other ingredients. Often accompanied by a delivery person, this delicious dish can also be prepared in the comfort of your kitchen nice and easy.

How To Make Pizza at Home

There are certain things to consider before you start making your pizza. Firstly, you need to decide the source of your dough (self-made or to purchase from a grocery store). Afterward, get the ingredients and the equipment ready for your pizza.

INGREDIENTS

1. 1/2 pound pizza dough.
2. 1/2 to 1 cup sauce: tomato sauce, white sauce, or other spread.
3. 2 to 3 cups of your favorite toppings: sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, pepperoni, etc.
4. 1 to 2 cups shredded or sliced cheese.
5. Cornmeal or all-purpose flour (optional).

Read: How to Roast Cashew Nuts

EQUIPMENT

1. Pizza stone or baking sheet.
2. Pizza peel or baking sheet
3. Parchment paper (optional).

DIRECTIONS

1. Arrange the oven rack to be in the lower middle part of the oven and place a baking stone on the rack. Then heat the oven to a temperature above 500°F for at least 30mins.
2. Roll out the dough working with one piece of the dough at a time, form it into a large disk with your hands and place it on the parchment. Then, using a rolling pin, flatten the dough until it is 1/4-inch thick or less. If the dough starts to shrink back, let it rest for 5 minutes and then continue rolling.

OR

Sprinkle a handful of cornmeal or flour on a pizza peel or on an upside-down rimmed baking sheet. Then working with one piece of the dough at a time, work it into a large disk with your hands and place it on the peel. With a rolling pin, flatten the dough until it is 1/4-inch thick or less. Shake the peel or baking sheet frequently as you shape to make sure the dough isn’t sticking. If the dough starts to shrink back, let it rest for 5 minutes and then continue rolling.

OR

Brush a thin film of olive oil on a baking sheet. Working with one piece of the dough at a time, form it into a large disk with your hands and place it on the baking sheet. Use your hands or a rolling pin to flatten the dough until it is 1/4-inch thick or less. If the dough starts to shrink back, let it rest for 5 minutes and then continue rolling.

Whichever method you decide to use, you will arrive at your desired destination.

1. Using a spoon, add half of the sauce onto the center of the pizza and use the back of the spoon to spread it out to the edges. Pile on half of the toppings and half of the cheese.

2. Bake the pizza using a pizza peel or the backside of a baking sheet, slide your pizza with the parchment, or cornmeal onto the baking stone. In the absence of a baking stone, bake the pizza right on the baking sheet.

3. Bake for 5 minutes, then rotate the pizza. If using parchment, slide it out from under the pizza and discard. Bake until the crust is golden-brown and the cheese is melted and browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes more.

4. Transfer the pizza to a cooling rack and let cool slightly, just until you’re able to handle it. Transfer to a cutting board, slice, and serve your delicious yummy pizza with your desired drink.