Party Pizza Recipe
24 Slices / 21" Party Pizza with 1-topping.
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Ingredients
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Dough (one 21" pizza, 24 slices)
Sauce
Cheese & Topping (one 1-topping pizza)
Finishing
Method
Dough (one 21" pizza, 24 slices)
- 1
Activate yeast
In a small bowl, combine warm water (about 105–115°F / 40–46°C), sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- 2
Mix dough
In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer with dough hook), combine flour and salt. Make a well and add the foamy yeast mixture and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Mix until a rough dough forms. If using a mixer, run on low 3–5 minutes until dough comes together; by hand, mix with a wooden spoon then turn out onto a floured surface and knead.
- 3
Knead
Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes (or 6–8 minutes in a mixer) until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. Add small dustings of flour only if extremely sticky.
- 4
First rise
Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough ball inside, cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let rise in a warm draft-free place for 60–90 minutes, or until roughly doubled in size.
- 5
Sauce
- 6
Prepare sauce
In a medium bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 teaspoon sugar if desired. Stir until smooth and taste-adjust for seasoning.
- 7
Simmer (optional)
For a brighter, fresher sauce you can use it as-is. For a deeper flavor, simmer in a small saucepan over medium-low heat 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, then let cool slightly before using.
- 8
Spread
Using the back of a large spoon or an offset spatula, spread an even layer of sauce over the stretched dough, leaving a 1/2–3/4" rim for crust. Use about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of sauce total, depending on desired sauciness.
Cheese & Topping (one 1-topping pizza)
- 9
Preheat oven
Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes with the rack in the lower-middle position. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating; otherwise use the pizza pan.
- 10
Add cheese
Evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella over the sauce, aiming for about 7–8 cups for a hearty, evenly covered 21" pie. Leave the rim uncovered so the crust can brown.
- 11
Add topping
Scatter the chosen topping (example: pepperoni) evenly over the cheese so every slice will have topping. Use about 2 cups of pepperoni slices (or equivalent amount of other topping).
Bake & Finish
- 12
Brush crust
Lightly brush the exposed crust with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle optional dried oregano or red pepper flakes if desired.
- 13
Bake
Slide the pizza into the preheated oven (onto the stone or pan). Bake at 500°F (260°C) for 10–14 minutes, rotating halfway through if your oven has hot spots, until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and starting to brown in spots. Baking time may vary 8–16 minutes depending on oven and equipment.
- 14
Rest & garnish
Remove pizza from oven and let rest 3–5 minutes. Sprinkle grated Parmesan if using. Slice into 24 slices with a pizza wheel or large knife and serve hot.
