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Easy Pizza Recipe

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time14 minutes
Resting time2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time2 hours 54 minutes
Servings: 8

Equipment

  • Pizza Steel for Oven

Ingredients

For (3) Individual Pizza Crusts:

  • 1 cup Warm Water
  • 2 1/2 tsp. 1 package Instant Yeast
  • 1 tbsp. Granulated Cane Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Salt
  • 1/3 cup Milk
  • 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
  • 3 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1/4 cup Finely Ground Cornmeal

For Margherita-Style Pizzas:

  • 3/4 cup Pizza Sauce
  • 2 1/2 cups Low-Moisture Mozzarella grated or shredded
  • 1 block Fresh Mozzarella thinly sliced
  • Parmesan or Pecorino Cheese finely grated
  • Fresh Basil chopped, for garnishing
  • Freshly Cracked Black Pepper for garnishing

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water, sugar, and instant yeast. Mix just to combine and set aside for 5-10 minutes, until frothy.
  • Add the olive oil, milk, salt, and 3 cups flour to the stand mixer bowl. Using the hook attachment, mix on LOW speed for 2-3 minutes, until a shaggy dough. Increase speed to Medium to knead with the dough 3-5 minutes, until smooth and pliable. When you press a finger into the dough, it should slowly bounce back.
  • Cover to rest 20 minutes.
  • Divide the dough into 2-3 pieces. Place in a greased baking pan, drizzle the tops with a little olive oil, then cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm environment for 1.5 - 3 hours, depending on how cold your kitchen is. The dough should be doubled in size when ready to use.
  • Preheat the oven to 500F for 30 minutes. Place the pizza rack in the oven to heat, as well.
  • Sprinkle the cornmeal on a clean surface to help gently stretch out the pizza to have a thin bottom and 1/2" thick crust.
  • Carefully remove the pizza rack from the oven and place on a heat-safe surface. Add the stretched-out pizza dough onto the pizza rack.
  • Drizzle lightly with olive oil, then spoon a thin layer of the pizza sauce on top.
  • Add about 3/4 cups shredded mozzarella, 3-4 fresh mozzarella slices, and freshly grated pecorino or parmesan.
  • Bake for 8-12 minutes, until golden and crispy to desired preference.
  • Garnish with more freshly grated pecorino or parmesan, chopped basil, and cracked black pepper. Repeat with the remaining pizza doughs. Enjoy warm!
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