Bert Swope
Pizza is an effortless, delectable meal to make at home. This classic cheese pizza recipe requires only a few ingredients and takes no time at all to prepare – perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and place a baking steel or stone in the middle of the oven. Bake your pizza on this hot metal or stone for an extra-crisp bottom crust.
Crust
Homemade cheese pizza is an irresistible and straightforward recipe that anyone can make. It’s ideal when you have limited time on weeknights or special occasions like birthdays.
For a homemade crust, combine flour, salt and yeast with water to form a soft dough. You can either knead the dough by hand or use your stand mixer; either way will work!
Once the dough has formed, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Stretch it to fill a greased pizza pan or baking sheet, then top with your favorite sauce and toppings.
Place the pan or baking sheet into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges start to turn golden and cheese is bubbly. Watch carefully so your pizza doesn’t burn!
For a crispier bottom crust, drizzle some olive oil onto the pan before placing your dough. The more oil you use, the crispier your pizza will be!
Repeat this step twice more until you have a 12-inch circle of dough. At this point, top it with sauce, your desired toppings and some shredded cheese for decoration.
Place the pizza on the lowest rack of your oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until it begins to brown and the cheese is bubbly. You can serve immediately or store it in the refrigerator up to four days.
Sauce
The sauce is one of the most essential elements to any pizza, as it can make or break the experience. A tasty pizza sauce requires just tomato paste, oil, garlic, salt and pepper for flavor; then add Italian seasoning and some sugar for balance.
To prepare the sauce, place all ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste the sauce to adjust seasoning as needed.
This sauce makes enough to fill two to three large pizzas and it takes only minutes to prepare; plus, it can be frozen for up to four months – ideal for busy weeknights!
Are you in search of an easy and fast cheese pizza recipe? Look no further! With just a few ingredients and the versatility of using both shredded cheddar and dry parmesan, this dish can be ready in no time!
Once the dough has been made, knead it on a floured surface until it becomes springy and less sticky. Cover with cling film and set aside in a warm place to rise until doubled in size (about an hour).
Once your pizza crust is prepared, spread the sauce on it and top it off with various toppings. Finally, bake in the oven until your pie is cooked through and piping hot!
Cheese
Cheese is a dairy product available in various flavors and textures. Its production involves the coagulation of milk protein casein with the addition of an enzyme known as rennet.
Cheeses come in a wide range of textures and flavors, from hard rinded varieties to soft spreadable ones. Their consistency and taste can range from creamy to tangy, sour or bitter; depending on the milk used and production method used for production some are more susceptible than others to bacterial growth than others.
Cheese production is also affected by environmental elements like humidity and temperature. These can influence the development of specific bacteria that lead to different varieties of cheese.
Cheese made without salt typically appears green (it lacks a rind), while one salted is usually white. Combining these parameters allows cheesemakers to create various varieties, as certain bacteria prefer certain conditions while others do not.
Cheese has been produced for thousands of years from milk of various animals such as cows, sheep and goats – and it remains a major agricultural commodity today.
Cheese is popular because it’s tasty, convenient to store, and relatively cost-effective. Plus, it provides calcium and vitamin D which support strong bones as well as protein – an important nutrient for human bodybuilding. Cheese makes a great snack to take with you on the go!
Add some herbs
Herbs are an excellent way to add flavor and variety to pizzas. You can use fresh or dried herbs, or combine the two for maximum impact. Common herbs used on pizza include garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil and black pepper for seasoning.
Garlic is the staple flavor of many Italian dishes, especially pizza sauce. It also pairs well with various meats and vegetables to provide sweetness and savoriness in recipes.
Oregano is an essential pizza herb that pairs perfectly with tomatoes, olives and capers. Its bittersweet balance helps bring out flavors in the sauce; you can use it as a topping or sprinkle on top for extra flavor.
Rosemary is an aromatic herb that adds a unique taste to pizza dishes. However, its potent nature may overpower other ingredients, so use it sparingly.
Thyme is an aromatic herb that goes great on Italian dishes and pizza. However, it has more potency than oregano, so use it sparingly to avoid overpowering other flavors.
Herbs can easily be grown at home or purchased from a farmer’s market or garden store. They require little upkeep, and should be planted in full sun with healthy soil and drainage. Herbs make wonderful additions to any kitchen and can be used in many recipes.
Pizza stone vs pizza pan
Selecting the ideal baking tool can make all the difference when crafting the ideal homemade pizza. But with so many options, choosing which one works best for you can be overwhelming.
Two common cooking surfaces for homemade pizza are the pizza stone and pan. Both can be used to cook a delicious pie, but each has its own distinct advantages.
Pizza stones are circular slabs of stoneware you can place inside your oven for cooking. Their porous surface absorbs and distributes heat evenly for optimal cooking results.
Microporous surfaces on pizza pans help absorb moisture from dough, creating a crispy and crusty exterior. They are considered superior for baking pizza than metal pans due to their micropores that help absorb moisture from dough and create an optimal crust.
However, it’s essential to remember that pizza stones cannot adapt rapidly to drastic temperature changes; thus, give it some time to preheat in your oven before using.
Pizza pans come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They’re typically constructed out of metal like aluminum or steel and lightweight yet easy to clean and durable – plus dishwasher safe! That makes them great for home chefs; the only drawback being that it takes more time to bake your pizza than using a stone.
Preheating and Oven temperature
First and foremost, preheating your oven is essential. You can do this by inserting a pizza stone or using an ordinary baking sheet in the oven.
Preheating your oven is essential for several reasons, one of which being that it allows the bottom of your pizza to become golden and crisp. Furthermore, preheating helps ensure the dough cooks evenly.
Preheating your oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit before baking your pizza typically results in a charred and crispy crust.
Once your oven is preheated, take the pizza out of its packaging and place it on a preheated baking sheet. Alternatively, you can also transfer it directly onto the center rack of your oven if desired.
When your pizza is done, it should have a golden brown base and cheese that has melted. This should take approximately 15 minutes or less.
It’s wise to check your pizza every 5 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly and not burns the cheese. Once your pizza is done, take it out of the oven and allow it to cool.
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