Cheese Pizza Recipe
Make Cheese Pizza Recipe in just 1h 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Dough
Sauce
Topping & Finish
Method
Dough
- 1
Bloom yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. If mixture does not foam, the yeast may be inactive—start again with fresh yeast.
- 2
Mix dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp fine salt. Make a well in the center and add the foamed yeast mixture and 1 tbsp olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon or dough hook until a shaggy dough forms. If dough is very sticky, add up to 2 tablespoons more flour, 1 tbsp at a time.
- 3
Knead
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook on medium speed for 5–6 minutes.
- 4
- 5
Shape
Punch down the risen dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Shape into a ball and let rest 10 minutes. Then press or roll into a 12-inch round (or desired size) to about 1/4-inch thickness. Transfer to a pizza peel or baking sheet dusted with 1 tbsp cornmeal or semolina to prevent sticking.
Sauce
- 6
Combine
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp olive oil. Stir until well mixed. Taste and adjust salt or herbs as desired. The sauce should be bright and slightly seasoned—no need to cook for a short-bake pizza.
Topping & Finish
- 7
Preheat oven
Place a pizza stone on the center oven rack (if available) and preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes. If you don't have a stone, preheat a heavy baking sheet upside down.
- 8
Assemble pizza
Brush the shaped dough lightly with 1 tsp olive oil. Spread about 1/2 to 2/3 cup of the prepared sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce, then scatter 2 tbsp grated Parmesan on top. If you like heat, sprinkle 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to taste.
- 9
Bake
Slide the pizza (on the peel or sheet) onto the preheated pizza stone or inverted baking sheet. Bake at 500°F (260°C) for 8–12 minutes, rotating once halfway through, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly with some light browning.
- 10
Finish
Remove the pizza from the oven and let rest 2–3 minutes. Brush the crust lightly with a little olive oil if desired. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top. Slice and serve.