Homemade pizza

Happy new year!  Are you a resolution maker?  While I don’t really make resolutions, I do like the fresh start of a new year.  And whether you’re resolving to eat healthier, spend more time with your family, cook more meals at home, save money, or you just want a delicious meal, I’ve got the recipe for you!  Homemade pizza!

I’m a big fan of pizza, but let’s be honest most pizza places are greasy and not exactly health food.  However, making pizza at home you have more control, you can add whatever toppings you like to develop your perfect pizza.  This is also a great meal to do with the family or friends, just make enough dough for everyone to get one (or share) and have everyone make their own pizzas.  And by cooking at home you’re saving money that you’d normally be spending on delivery pizza.  In conclusion, this is a win.

This was even more fun for me, because I got to make use of my fun new kitchen gadgets!  I made the dough using my new stand mixer, found the dough recipe from the wonderful Smitten Kitchen cookbook, and used my new kitchen scale.  Fun new projects!  I’ll try not to get too crazy with lots of recipes that require special equipment, but I have to say, making dough in the stand mixer was SO easy!  I also tried this recipe with about 1 cup of whole wheat flour in place of 1 cup of bread flour, this made the dough a big thinner and crispier, but still delicious.

Leisurely Pizza DoughHomemade pizza

Makes 2 pizzas (about 12″ round)

Adapted from the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

Dough:

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 3/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 3 cups (380 grams) bread flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • olive oil, for the bowl

Pour water into large mixing bowl and sprinkle yeast over.  Let sit for 5 minutes.  Add flour and salt and mix with a wooden spoon until rough mass forms.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.  (If using a stand mixer, turn to medium until rough loose mass forms, and then reduce speed and continue to mix for 5 minutes.)  Lightly grease a bowl with olive oil and place dough inside and cover with plastic wrap.  Let sit in the fridge overnight.  An hour or two before you want to use it, bring back to room temperature to allow to rise.

Sauce:Mushroom Squash and Corn Pizza

  • 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 2 small cloves garlic, minced or pressed
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (more or less to taste, this was very subtle)
  • 1/8 tsp sugar

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.  Sauce will cook on the pizza, so no need to heat it ahead of time.  Scale up if making more than two pizzas.

Assembly:

Preheat oven to highest temperature (my oven went to 550°F).  Pour a little coarse cornmeal onto a baking sheet and stretch dough out on it.  Top with a spoonful or two of tomato sauce and then top with your favorite toppings.  I recommend fresh sliced mozzarella, shredded sharp cheddar, sautéed mushrooms, roasted butternut squash, corn…or at least that’s what I used this time.  Use what ingredients you have on hand, and feel free to experiment!Homemade Pizza

Once you have reached your ideal pizza (although don’t pile toppings too high or the center won’t cook), slide pan into the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, rotating pan halfway through.  When the crust is beginning to brown and the cheese is bubbly, it’s done!  Carefully slide pizza onto a cutting board, and cut up.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

6 thoughts on “Homemade pizza

    1. I love it! I might have to go a little Julie/Julia on it and cook my way through each recipe!
      I haven’t tried the rapid one yet, I’m sure it’d be just as delicious. I want to try adding some herbs to the crust next time too…hmmm how many times is too many to have pizza for dinner?

      1. OMG I totally agree. You *must* try the roasted cauliflower and caramelized onion tart from the SK cookbook. It’s pretty epic. And the flat roasted chicken too (I’ve already made this twice). I’m gonna make the pizza dough tomorrow night so we can have pizza night on Friday! And don’t worry, you can always have more pizza. Always.

Leave a Comment