How to Make Restaurant-Quality Pizza at Home

By /

Craving the perfect pizza but don’t want to leave the house? You can easily make restaurant-quality pizza right in your kitchen. With a few simple ingredients and techniques, you’ll enjoy delicious, crispy pizza that tastes like it’s straight from a pizzeria.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

  • 2 1/4 cups bread flour
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water (110°F)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For the sauce:

  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • Salt and pepper

Toppings:

  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Olive oil for drizzling
  • Other toppings of your choice (pepperoni, mushrooms, etc.)

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the dough

  1. In a bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it bubbles.
  2. In another bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
  3. Mix until the dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes.
  4. Place in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the sauce

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté garlic for 1 minute.
  2. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Shape the dough

  1. Preheat the oven to 500°F. Heat a pizza stone if you have one.
  2. Divide dough into two balls. Roll out each ball into a circle on a floured surface.

Step 4: Add the toppings

  1. Spread sauce over the dough. Add mozzarella and Parmesan.
  2. Top with your favorite ingredients. Drizzle with olive oil.

Step 5: Bake the pizza

  1. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
  2. Top with fresh basil and serve immediately.

A Little Pizza History:

Pizza as we know it comes from Naples, Italy. The iconic Margherita pizza, with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, was invented in 1889. Today, pizza is beloved all over the world, with endless variations.

Nutritional Information:

  • Calories per slice: 250-300
  • Protein: 10-12g
  • Carbs: 30-35g
  • Fat: 10-12g

For a healthier option, try using whole-wheat dough or adding more veggies.