Homemade Pizza

One of our favorite quick meals at our house is homemade pizza. Pizza can be made at home in less time than it takes to have a pizza delivered, and cheaper too depending on your topping choices.

I am going to give you our basic pizza crust recipe and how we top a quick week night pie. Topping your own pizza is completely customizable and up to your families’ tastes and preferences. The best part of this recipe is the ability to make the crust the night before and stash it in the fridge for the next days use. Dinner will be ready in a snap.

Homemade Pizza Crust

½ to ¾ Cup Warm Water (Not hot, it will kill the yeast)

1 Package Active Rise Yeast

1 tsp. Granulated Sugar

2 Cups All Purpose Flour

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 tsp. Salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a small bowl or measuring cup combine ¼ Cup warm water, 1 tsp. Sugar, and 1 package active rise yeast. Stir to combine and allow to sit for 5 minutes. The mixture will bubble a bit, this means the yeast is good and active.

Meanwhile in the bowl of a food processor combine the flour, olive oil, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and process for 10 seconds.

While the food processor is running slowly pour in the remaining water until the dough begins to come together. At first it will look crumbly.

Keep processing and add a bit more water until the dough forms a ball and scrapes the sides of the bowl. Let the dough spin and scrape the sides about 14 revolutions.

Place dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 3 to 4 times. Shape dough into a disk, cover with a dish towel and allow to rest for ten minutes. (At this point you could cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill for the next days use. Just be sure to give it the ten minute rest time after pulling it from the fridge.)

While the dough rests I usually prep my other ingredients. We top our pizza with about ½ cup pasta sauce, mushrooms. Olives, and 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese.