Description
This Authentic Italian Pizza Recipe brings the classic flavors of Italy to your home kitchen. Featuring a tender handmade dough, a rich San Marzano tomato sauce infused with garlic, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fragrant basil leaves, this pizza is baked to golden perfection on a hot oven stone or tray. Perfect for serving two, this recipe captures the essence of traditional Italian pizza with simple, high-quality ingredients and straightforward steps.
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 with active dry yeast and let sit for 5 minutes to activate. In another bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with kosher salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture to the flour and stir until fully combined to form the dough.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for approximately 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the Sauce: Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the crushed San Marzano tomatoes along with minced garlic. Let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season with salt to taste and remove from heat.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to its highest temperature, around 475°F (245°C). Place a pizza stone inside the oven if you have one, to preheat as well, ensuring a crisp bottom crust.
- Shape Your Pizza: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions. On a floured surface, roll out each portion to your preferred thickness, shaping them into rounds or desired pizza shapes.
- Assemble Your Pizza: Spread a generous layer of the prepared tomato sauce across each pizza base. Evenly distribute slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and scatter fresh basil leaves on top. Carefully transfer the pizzas onto the preheated pizza stone or baking tray.
- Bake the Pizza: Bake the pizzas in the oven for about 12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling. Remove from the oven and serve hot.
Notes
- For best results, use San Marzano tomatoes for authentic flavor.
- If you don’t have a pizza stone, a preheated baking tray works well as an alternative.
- Letting the dough rise fully will make the crust light and airy.
- You can add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on top before serving for enhanced flavor.
- Ensure the water used to activate yeast is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
