Making pizza from scratch at home is an easy and cost-effective option. However, the outcome may differ from the pizzas you order and have delivered. With this process, you can make 4-5 pizzas for the cost of one from your favorite delivery place. Though the taste may not be the same, you might even find it better. This method involves making your dough from scratch and using canned chopped tomatoes for sauce, with the option of using fresh mozzarella or shredding your own cheese. When buying cheese, be aware that shredded mozzarella from the store is more expensive, and starch is added to prevent it from sticking together. It is better to get a block of mozzarella or gouda cheese and shred it yourself.
The recipe for the dough is simple and works best with a stand mixer. After dividing the dough into balls, let them rise for 1 hour while you make the sauce. Once the two main components are ready, it’s time to discover the cooking method that delivers pizzeria-quality pizza at home.
While using a pizza stone is an option, it can yield mixed results in a home oven. The pizza needs to be cooked at a high temperature, so the stone needs to be heated in the oven for some time. It also needs to be prepared with coarse semolina flour so that the pizza peel can slide and the pizza won’t stick to the stone. Using a pizza stone on a grill works better and provides a great taste, but it may not be practical in all weather conditions.
To achieve a crispy crust without burning the cheese, once the dough balls have doubled in size, roll out one portion to fit your pan. Spread the cooled sauce on the pizza, and pre-cook the dough and sauce in an oven set to the highest temperature for about 10 minutes. Check the pizza constantly to ensure that the crust doesn’t brown too quickly. Remove the pizza, add your cheese and toppings, and place it back into the oven for another 10 minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble.
After removing the pizza from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the cheese to cool slightly. You can add any toppings of your choice to your pizza, such as garlic and thyme butter with mozzarella. It’s worth trying!