Authentic Italian Pizza Recipe

5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 30 min Cook Time 10 min Rest Time 1 hour Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 2 Calories: 600 Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Want to impress someone with your culinary skills or just looking for a comfort meal? This authentic italian pizza recipe checks all boxes!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes, until the yeast is foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until a dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  5. Preheat your oven to 450F/230C.
  6. Punch down the dough and divide it in half. Roll out each half into a 12-inch circle.
  7. Place the dough circles on a lightly greased baking sheet. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
  8. Bake the pizzas for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.

Tips

  • For a crispier crust, preheat a baking sheet in the oven while it's preheating. Then, place the rolled-out dough on the hot baking sheet before adding the sauce and cheese.
  • You can use any type of pizza sauce you like. For a more authentic Italian flavor, use a simple tomato sauce made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and basil.
  • You can also use any type of cheese you like. Mozzarella is the traditional choice, but you can also use provolone, Parmesan, or even goat cheese.
  • Get creative with your toppings! Some popular Italian pizza toppings include mushrooms, onions, peppers, olives, artichoke, and anchovies.
  • You can also use store-bought pizza dough, but it will not be as authentic as homemade dough.
  • If you don't have fresh basil, you can use dried basil. Just be sure to use less dried basil than fresh basil, as it is more potent.
Keywords: pizza

Frequently Asked Questions

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How can I make this pizza even better?

Use high quality ingredients, remember pizza is a very simple dish with simple taste, which means its all down to the quality of the cheese, tomato and even the flour. Make sure to pick up better ingredients once you perfect this italian pizza recipe!

Can the pizza be re-heated?

Absolutely, I recommend reheating it in the microwave.. alternatively try to reheat it in a dry pan, this last could save even the saddest italian pizza and make it better than new again!

What is the difference between Italian pizza and American pizza?

Italian pizza is characterized by its thin, crispy crust and minimal toppings. American pizza, on the other hand, often has a thicker, softer crust with a wider range of toppings, including ingredients like pepperoni, sausage, and various vegetables.

Can I customize Italian pizza with my favorite toppings?

While traditional Italian pizzas have specific ingredients, you can certainly customize your pizza with your favorite toppings. However, if you add too many toppings, it may no longer be considered an authentic Italian pizza.

Is there a specific way to eat Italian pizza?

Italian pizza is typically eaten with a knife and fork in Italy. However, in many other parts of the world, it's commonly eaten by hand.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag #themoderncookbook if you made this recipe. Follow @moderncookbook on Instagram for more recipes.

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