Pizza, a quintessential Italian dish, is a delectable culinary creation that has captured the hearts and taste buds of people worldwide. Its irresistible allure lies in the harmonious blend of flavors and textures, making it an enduring favorite. Whether you prefer a classic Margherita with its simplicity or a more extravagant creation adorned with an array of toppings, the key to crafting the perfect pizza lies in the foundation – the dough. This article will guide you through the intricacies of creating an authentic Italian-style pizza dough, ensuring that your homemade pizzas will rival those served in the bustling pizzerias of Italy.
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ITALIAN PIZZA DOUGH RECIPE
Cooks everywhere agree: this is the best pizza dough recipe! It's a trusted resource for how to make pizza dough with the perfect chewy texture-every time.For the best possible pizza dough, we recommend this pizza stone. Here's why we love it.
Provided by Sonja Overhiser
Categories Essentials
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Combine the flour, salt, and yeast in a bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Stir to combine. Add the water and olive oil and stir until a raggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.
- Knead the dough by pushing with the base of your palm, then reforming it into a ball. Continue kneading for 8 minutes until the dough feels pillowy and has a smooth, stretchy exterior. If the dough is very sticky, add a small amount of flour while kneading. Alternatively: attach the dough hook to a stand mixer and start the mixer on medium-low speed, then allow the mixer to knead for 8 minutes.
- After the kneading is finished, divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Using floured hands, gently shape each half into a boule (ball shape) by folding the dough under itself. Set each boule on a floured surface and dab the dough with a bit of olive oil to keep it moist. Cover all boules with a damp towel and allow them to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- The dough can be used immediately. However for the BEST flavor, transfer the dough to separate sealed containers, large enough for the dough to double in size again, and store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. (We always do this. But if you think ahead, it makes for a noticeably nutty, unique flavor that truly is the best homemade pizza dough you've ever had!)
- The day of serving, remove the dough from the containers, place it on a lightly floured surface covered with a towel, and allow it to come to room temperature before stretching, 30 to 45 minutes.
- When the oven is ready, dust a pizza peel with cornmeal or semolina flour. (If you don't have a pizza peel, you can use a rimless baking sheet or the back of a rimmed baking sheet. But a pizza peel is well worth the investment!)
- Stretch the dough into a circle; see How to Stretch Pizza Dough or follow these instructions: To stretch the dough, place it on the pizza peel or a lightly floured surface and gently press it into a circle, flipping several times and adding a pinch of flour if it is too sticky. Once you have about an 8-inch circle, pick up the dough and gently drape it over the knuckles on both of your hands. Slowly rotate it around, allowing gravity to stretch it into a circle about 11 inches in diameter. Do not overwork or fold the dough. If the dough starts to resist stretching, put it down and allow it to rest for a few minutes, at which point it will stretch more easily.
- We bake our pizzas at 500F and use a pizza peel to transfer it to a preheated pizza stone in the oven: the bake time is around 5 to 7 minutes. See our pizza recipe posts for baking instructions.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize Slices, Calories 81 calories, Sugar 0.1 g, Sodium 114.2 mg, Fat 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 16 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 2.3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
AN ITALIAN'S CLASSIC PIZZA DOUGH
Cooking for a couple of decades you are always tweaking. I have several dough recipes, but this is the one that consistently gets the high marks from my guest. A hot pizza stone works best, but a good hot oven is the key.
Provided by Country Chef
Categories Breads
Time 1h
Yield 2 pies, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a small bowl combine salt, honey, olive oil, and cool water.
- Mix well and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Allow to proof for ten minutes.
- After proofing combine honey mixture and yeast in one large mixing bowl.
- Add flour, one cup at a time, into the combined liquid mixture. Dough is an art - depending on your paradigm you may want to work this with your hands, add a T of water if it is dry.
- Place dough ball on lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
- Place dough in covered buttered (melted) bowl and allow dough to rest for 30 minutes. A slightly warmed oven (90 degree) is great.
- Divide into two equal sized dough balls.
- If using a pizza stone, place stone in oven and preheat oven to 450 for at least ten minutes.
- Roll out into two pies and add your favorite sauce and topping combinations.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 473.6, Fat 13.6, SaturatedFat 4.7, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 637, Carbohydrate 76.6, Fiber 3, Sugar 4.6, Protein 10.5
ITALIAN PIZZA DOUGH
My home-made pizza dough; I make it 3 to 4 times a week.
Provided by Ignazia Vella
Categories Bread Pizza Dough and Crust Recipes
Time 1h25m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Stir yeast and sugar into lukewarm water, using a fork. Let stand in a warm place until a creamy layer forms on top of the water, about 10 minutes.
- Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Mix olive oil into flour and stir for 2 minutes. Pour yeast mixture and beaten egg into flour mixture and stir to make a stiff dough. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until springy and smooth, about 8 minutes. Place dough into a floured bowl and cover with a piece of plastic wrap wiped with a thin film of olive oil.
- Let dough rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down and roll out to desired shape.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 207.7 calories, Carbohydrate 32.6 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fat 5.8 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 5.7 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 207.5 mg, Sugar 0.5 g
REAL ITALIAN PIZZA DOUGH
Pizza dough as it is made in Italy. When I first moved to Italy, I was surprised to see that deciding to eat a pizza for dinner meant whipping up pizza dough with a few common ingredients a couple of hours before. Using fresh, compressed yeast, it rises in an hour. Stretchy, chewy, and so full of flavor, there's no need to order out. This dough works for calzone as well as focaccia, and the recipe doubles perfectly!
Provided by Buckwheat Queen
Categories Bread Pizza Dough and Crust Recipes
Time 1h35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to the lowest setting possible.
- Combine 4 cups flour and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment; turn mixer on low speed. Crumble yeast into small pieces and add to the flour. Slowly pour in water. Scrape the sides to make sure all flour is incorporated and mix until dough begins to pull away from the sides and form a ball. Drizzle in oil and mix until fully incorporated.
- Knead on low speed for 5 or 6 minutes, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons extra flour if needed. Remove dough from the bowl and use your hands to form a ball. Return dough to the bowl and score the top with an "x." Cover with a damp cloth.
- Turn oven off and place dough in the oven to rise for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.
- Remove dough from the oven and reattach the bowl to the stand mixer. Uncover and punch down dough. Knead on low speed for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place a pizza stone or tray on the bottom oven rack and preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- Cut dough into 4 equal pieces and roll each one into ball. Dust with flour if needed. Place balls on a sheet pan and cover with a damp cloth. Roll out each ball into a 9-inch circle and top with desired toppings (no more than 1 cup sauce per pizza).
- Place pizza on the pizza stone in the preheated oven. Immediately lower the temperature to 410 degrees F (210 degrees C) and bake for 10 to 12 minutes; actual length of time will depend on your toppings. Repeat to make remaining pizzas.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 532.7 calories, Carbohydrate 95.5 g, Fat 9.7 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 13.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 1167.7 mg, Sugar 0.4 g
CLASSIC ITALIAN PIZZA
An Italian-style pizza with a simple selection of the perfect ingredients.
Provided by Sam O'Sullivan
Time 30m
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 39
Steps:
- To make the dough, mix the yeast with the warm water, sugar and oil and leave for 1-2 minutes. Add the flours into a mixing bowl with 1/2 tsp salt and briefly mix before making a well ready for the liquids. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir into the flour using a fork, until the mixture comes together and can be finished off by hand. Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes on a floured surface, then place in a clean, lightly oiled mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has risen to double its size.
- Meanwhile, make the tomato sauce by blending all of the ingredients together.
- Preheat the oven to 240°C (220°C fan, gas mark 9). Place the dough back onto a floured surface and knead for another minute to knock the air out. Any dough not used immediately can be refrigerated for up to 2 days - allowing to stand for 2 hours before making the pizzas.
- Roll out the dough and place on a large baking tray. Spread the tomato base over the pizza before topping with the blue cheese and mozzarella, then the mushrooms and cherry tomatoes.
- Cook in the hot oven for around 15 minutes or until the dough is crisp around the edges. Top with the parmesan and a good grating of pepper and serve.
CLASSIC PIZZA
This Italian sausage pizza tastes just as good as its bigger counterparts. The one-serving recipe comes from our Test Kitchen.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 35m
Yield 1 serving.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Crumble sausage into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. On a lightly floured surface, knead the two rolls together. Roll dough into a 7-1/2-in. circle. , Transfer to a greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Spread pizza sauce over dough; sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese, sausage, mushrooms, onion and remaining cheese. Top with Italian seasoning. , Bake at 375° for 20-22 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 587 calories, Fat 31g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 89mg cholesterol, Sodium 1398mg sodium, Carbohydrate 46g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 32g protein.
Tips:
- Use the right flour: A good pizza dough starts with the right flour. Use a high-quality Italian 00 flour, which is finely ground and has a high protein content. This will result in a dough that is both crispy and chewy.
- Use cold water: Cold water helps to slow down the yeast fermentation process, resulting in a dough that is more flavorful and has a better texture.
- Let the dough rise slowly: A slow rise allows the dough to develop more flavor and a better texture. Let the dough rise in a warm place for at least 2 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten, which is responsible for the dough's elasticity and texture. Knead the dough for at least 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Use a hot oven: A hot oven is essential for getting a crispy pizza crust. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible, usually around 500°F (260°C).
- Don't overcrowd the pizza: Don't overload the pizza with toppings, as this will make it soggy. Use a moderate amount of toppings, and make sure they are evenly distributed.
Conclusion:
Making pizza dough from scratch is a rewarding experience, and it's easier than you might think. By following these tips, you can make a delicious pizza dough that will impress your friends and family. So next time you're craving pizza, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed.
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