Craving a delicious pizza night but don't want the hassle of takeout or frozen options? Then you're in the right place! This fresh mozzarella pizza recipe is your ticket to a homemade, healthy, and incredibly satisfying meal. It’s surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner cooks, and the results are restaurant-quality delicious. Get ready to impress yourself and your family with this simple yet satisfying quick dinner idea.
Ingredients:
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For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
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For the Sauce:
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
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For the Toppings:
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions:
Making the Pizza Dough:
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures your yeast is alive and will create a light and airy dough.
- Combine dry ingredients: Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. This is crucial for a fluffy pizza crust.
Making the Pizza Sauce:
- Sauté garlic: Heat a little olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Simmer the sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. This slow simmer develops the flavors beautifully.
Assembling and Baking the Pizza:
- Preheat oven & prepare the pizza stone: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). If using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven as well. This ensures a perfectly crisp crust.
- Shape the dough: Punch down the dough and roll it out to your desired thickness and shape on a lightly floured surface. For a thinner crust, roll it out more thinly.
- Transfer to baking surface: Carefully transfer the dough to your pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Add the sauce and toppings: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border. Arrange the mozzarella slices over the sauce, followed by the Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
Serving Your Delicious Pizza:
Once the pizza is out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy your homemade, healthy, and delicious pizza!
Cooking Tips and Variations:
- For a crispier crust, try using a pizza stone or baking steel.
- Feel free to experiment with your favorite pizza toppings! Mushrooms, peppers, onions, pepperoni – the possibilities are endless.
- If you don’t have time to make the dough from scratch, use store-bought pizza dough.
- To make a vegetarian pizza, simply omit the pepperoni or any other meat toppings.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the size of your pizza and the toppings used. A general estimate for a 1/8th of a pizza with the ingredients listed above is around 350-400 calories, with moderate amounts of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. For more precise nutritional information, use a nutrition calculator and input your specific ingredients and quantities.
This fresh mozzarella pizza recipe is a fantastic example of a healthy meal that doesn't compromise on flavor. It's a perfect addition to your repertoire of easy recipes and best recipes for busy weeknights. Enjoy!