Italian pizza is a delicious and popular dish enjoyed all over the world. Whether you prefer a classic Margherita or a more adventurous combination of toppings, there’s no denying the appeal of a freshly baked pizza straight out of the oven. In this article, we’ll share an authentic Italian pizza recipe that you can make at home, complete with all the ingredients and steps you need to create a mouth-watering pizza that will transport you straight to Italy.
Ingredients:
For the pizza dough:
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 325ml warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the pizza toppings:
- 400g canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 250g fresh mozzarella, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves, torn
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the warm water and olive oil to the bowl, and mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough back in the mixing bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rest for about 1-2 hours, until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to heat up.
- In a small bowl, mix together the canned tomatoes, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to make the pizza sauce.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out onto a floured surface to form a 12-14 inch pizza crust.
- Transfer the pizza crust to a sheet of parchment paper and spread the pizza sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edge.
- Place the sliced mozzarella on top of the pizza sauce, followed by torn basil leaves.
- Drizzle a little bit of extra virgin olive oil over the pizza toppings.
- Use a pizza peel or the parchment paper to transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
- Bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
This authentic Italian pizza recipe is perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. With a little bit of patience and the right ingredients, you can create a delicious and authentic pizza that will impress even the most discerning pizza connoisseur. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!