Plain Cheese Pizza Recipe
Make Plain Cheese Pizza Recipe in just 2h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Dough
Sauce
Cheese & Finish
Method
Dough
- 1
Activate yeast and combine
Place warm water (about 105–110°F / 40–43°C) in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar and sprinkle the instant dry yeast over the surface. Let sit 2–3 minutes until slightly foamy (instant yeast may foam lightly).
- 2
Mix dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- 3
Form dough
Add the flour mixture and 1 tablespoon olive oil to the yeast/water. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic (or mix and knead with a stand mixer using the dough hook for 4–5 minutes). If dough is very sticky, sprinkle up to 2 tablespoons more flour, a little at a time.
- 4
First rise
Lightly oil a clean bowl with the additional 1 teaspoon olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in size, about 60–90 minutes.
- 5
Shape dough
After the dough has risen, punch it down gently. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and divide (if making two small pizzas) or keep whole for a 12–14" pizza. Flatten and stretch or roll into a 12–14" round, leaving a slightly thicker rim for the crust. Transfer to a pizza peel or baking sheet lightly dusted with cornmeal or semolina.
Sauce
- 6
Prepare quick sauce
In a small bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Stir until combined and taste; adjust seasoning. The sauce should be slightly thick — if watery, drain a little before using. No cooking required for a fresh-tasting pizza sauce.
- 7
Spread sauce
Using the back of a spoon, spread 3/4 to 1 cup of the sauce evenly over the stretched dough, leaving the rim clear (about 1/2"–3/4"). Use more or less sauce to preference but avoid over-saturating the dough.
Cheese & Finish
- 8
Add cheese
Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella across the sauce, covering to the edges of the sauce layer. Lightly scatter the grated Parmesan over the mozzarella for added flavor.
- 9
Preheat oven
Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C). If using a pizza stone, place it on the middle rack while the oven preheats for at least 30 minutes. If using a baking sheet, preheat the oven and use the preheated sheet for best results.
- 10
Bake
Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake 8–12 minutes until the crust is golden and blistered in spots and the cheese is fully melted with some light browning. Baking time will vary by oven and stone; start checking at 7–8 minutes.
- 11
Finish and rest
Remove the pizza from the oven. Brush the crust lightly with 1 teaspoon olive oil for shine and flavor and sprinkle red pepper flakes if using. Let rest 2–3 minutes to set the cheese, then slice and serve.