Pizza Dough
Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups warm water (110°F or 45°C)
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
Activate Yeast:
In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Mix Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil.
Mix the ingredients until a dough forms. You can use a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
Knead Dough:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead by hand for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 5-7 minutes.
First Rise:
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Shape Dough:
Punch down the dough to release the air. Divide it into two equal parts for two large pizzas or four parts for smaller pizzas.
Shape each portion into a ball and let them rest for about 10 minutes.
Roll Out Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough ball into a circle, about 12 inches in diameter for a large pizza.
Marinara Sauce
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to taste)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Heat Oil:
In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Sauté Garlic:
Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add Tomatoes:
Add the crushed tomatoes to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
Season Sauce:
Add sugar (if using), salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well.
Simmer Sauce:
Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Taste and Adjust:
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or sugar if desired.
Serve:
Use the marinara sauce as a base for your pizza. You can also garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Assembling the Pizza
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
Prepare Pizza:
Place the rolled-out pizza dough on a pizza peel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
Add Toppings:
Add your desired toppings, such as cheese, vegetables, meats, and herbs.
Bake Pizza:
Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven (onto the pizza stone if using) and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Serve:
Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a couple of minutes, slice, and enjoy!