Basic Homemade Pizza Dough

Pizza dough

 

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Prep: 90 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 110 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Yield: 1 pizza dough

There are a few key recipes you need to master to have a complete arsenal of dishes that you can mix and match, alter, and make on repeat to have a successful menu each week. In addition to sauces, stews, soups, roasted meats, casseroles, basics like rice and pasta, and one or two fool-proof cakes, coveted pizza dough is a must in your box of memorized recipes. You can make pizza, of course, but also an infinite number of dishes that steam from this fluffy goodness. Hand pies, calzones, empanadas, flatbreads, pita crackers, breadsticks, stuffed rolls, garlic knots, fruit pies, and sweet bread can all come from pizza dough. Our basic recipe will put you one step closer to achieving home cooking greatness—and it's also very easy.

Our pizza dough recipe will make one 12- to 14-inch pizza, which will provide 8 to 10 slices depending on the size. Double the recipe if you're cooking for larger parties but also keep in mind the toppings you're adding, because more toppings make for more filling slices. For this recipe, you need five ingredients, plus water. Before you start, keep a few things in mind. First, check the expiration date on your yeast. If unsure, buy a new one, as old yeast could be dead and not proof sufficiently to yield the doughy texture needed for a great pizza crust. Secondly, as the ingredients are few, go for great quality. Great olive oil and great flour make all the difference. Finally, find bread flour, as it produces a better dough than all-purpose. Bread flour is a type of wheat flour used in making bread. It is very high in protein, which means it will produce lots of gluten and guarantees a product that has great rise and traps lots of air in between the dough structure making your bread and doughs chewier. If finding bread flour is not easy, use all-purpose but remove three teaspoons of flour from the two cups needed and replace them with vital gluten.

Knead this pizza dough by hand, in the bread machine, or using a stand mixer with a dough hook. Once the dough is proved and ready for the oven, top with your favorite ingredients and bake for 20 minutes at 425 F. A very hot oven is needed when making pizza, so give it enough time to heat up while the dough is resting. Use jarred tomato sauce and cheese for an easy pizza, or try something new and top it with Brie and apples for a different take. For a great make-your-own pizza party, offer cold cuts, different types of cheese, tomato sauce, white sauce, fresh herbs, and lots of peppery arugula. Extra virgin olive oil and pepper flakes are the final touches for a successful pizza dinner.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup warm water, about 105 F to 110 F

  • 2 cups bread flour

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 teaspoons sugar

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

Steps to Make It

  1. Combine the warm water and yeast in a small bowl; stir to blend and let stand for about 5 minutes.

  2. Mix the flour, sugar, and salt together. Add the yeast mixture and oil and blend thoroughly.

  3. Knead, adding small amounts of flour if the dough is sticky, until smooth. If using a bread machine, add ingredients following the order suggested by your bread machine manufacturer.

  4. Transfer to an oiled bowl and turn to coat the dough with the oil.

  5. Cover bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in a warm place free from drafts. This will take about 60 minutes.

  6. Punch dough down and roll out to fit your 12- to 14-inch pan or stone. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes. Top with sauce and toppings. Bake pizza at 425 F for about 20 minutes or until crust is lightly browned, or follow the directions for your particular recipe and method.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
176 Calories
6g Fat
26g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 176
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 7%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 201mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 6mg 0%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 45mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)