Description
This Authentic Italian Pizza Recipe guides you through making a classic homemade pizza with fresh mozzarella, a flavorful San Marzano tomato sauce, and fragrant basil leaves, all baked to perfection in a hot oven. Enjoy the taste of traditional Italian pizza with a crispy crust and rich toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water (100°F – 110°F)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Sauce:
- 1 can (15 oz) San Marzano tomatoes (crushed)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- Salt to taste
Toppings:
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, combine warm water and active dry yeast; let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to activate the yeast. In another bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour and kosher salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture to the flour while stirring until fully incorporated.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the crushed San Marzano tomatoes and minced garlic. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for approximately 15 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season the sauce with salt to taste and remove from heat.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to its highest temperature setting, typically around 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while preheating to ensure a crispy crust.
- Shape Your Pizza: Punch down the risen dough to release the air. Divide it into two equal portions. On a floured surface, roll out each portion to your preferred thickness for the pizza base.
- Assemble Your Pizza: Spread an even layer of the prepared tomato sauce over each rolled-out dough base. Top with slices or chunks of fresh mozzarella cheese and scatter fresh basil leaves on top. Transfer the assembled pizzas to the preheated pizza stone or baking tray.
- Bake the Pizza: Bake each pizza in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven, slice, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, preheat a pizza stone and bake the pizza directly on it.
- Use fresh mozzarella for the best melt and flavor.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area to ensure proper fermentation.
- Adjust the tomato sauce seasoning to taste, adding a pinch of sugar if tomatoes are too acidic.
- Slice the mozzarella thinly to allow even melting.
