Homemade Pizza Dough

Ingredients (Makes 2 medium pizzas):

• 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
• 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm water (around 110°F/45°C)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Make the dough:
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast.
   Gradually add the warm water and olive oil.
   Mix until a sticky dough forms.
2. Knead the dough:
   Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. Let it rise:
   Lightly grease a bowl with olive oil and place the dough inside, turning to coat it.
   Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
4. Prepare for baking:
   Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into two portions.
   Roll each portion out on a floured surface to your desired thickness.

Pro Tip: If you prefer a chewy crust, let the rolled-out dough rest for 15 minutes before adding toppings.

Homemade Pizza Sauce

Ingredients (Makes enough for 2 medium pizzas):

• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried basil
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the sauce:
   In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
   Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
   Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.
   Season with salt and pepper.
2. Simmer and thicken:
   Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together.
3. Cool and use:
   Let the sauce cool slightly before spreading it over your pizza dough.

Putting It All Together

1. 1. Preheat the oven:
   Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
   If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat as well.
2. Assemble the pizza:
   Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the rolled-out dough.
   Add your favorite toppings (mozzarella, pepperoni, veggies, etc.) and finish with a drizzle of olive oil for a golden crust.
3. Bake:
   Transfer the pizza to a baking sheet or hot pizza stone.
   Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
4. Slice and serve:
   Let the pizza cool slightly, slice it up, and enjoy your homemade masterpiece!

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces tortellini pasta
• ½ pound Italian ground sausage
• ½ medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup cooked chopped bacon
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Sliced pepperoni
• 24 ounces pizza sauce

Directions:

1. Boil tortellini according to package instructions.
2. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté onions in olive oil until soft.
4. Add ground beef and sausage, cook until browned.
5. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute.
6. Season with Italian seasoning.
7. Drain grease and return meat to skillet.
8. Add bacon.
9. Add pizza sauce and cooked tortellini.
10. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
11. Top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
12. Cover, turn off heat, and let steam melt the cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 520 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pre-made pizza dough or your favorite homemade dough
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: balsamic glaze for drizzling

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
2. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
3. Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness.
4. Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or an inverted baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Brush the dough lightly with olive oil.
6. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
7. Spread the ricotta cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
8. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top of the ricotta.
9. Distribute the fresh blackberries and basil over the cheeses.
10. Drizzle the honey evenly over the toppings.
11. Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
12. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
13. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
14. Optional: Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
15. Cut into slices and serve immediately.
16. Enjoy the unique combination of sweet blackberries, creamy ricotta, and aromatic basil on a crispy crust.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 350 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Flour
• 1 1/4 cups Warm Water (about 100-120 degrees)
• 1 tablespoon Yeast
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 tablespoon Oil

​Instructions:​

1. Heat water until warm and stir in yeast.
2. Let sit and proof.
3. Bubbles should form on the top.
4. While the yeast is proofing, add the flour, sugar, and salt to a large bowl.
5. Stir to combine.
6. Add the oil and proofed yeast.
7. Stir until the flour is all moistened.
8. Gather the dough and transfer to a well-floured surface, it might be sticky at first.
9. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, adding more flour as needed as you are kneading to keep it from sticking.
10. The dough should be smooth and elastic after kneading and ready to use in any recipe calling for pizza dough.​

Notes:

This dough is perfect for when you’re short on time but still want homemade pizza.
You can freeze any unused dough for later use. Just be sure to thaw it well before you need it.
No need to let the dough rise, making it a quick option for busy days.

Ingredients:

• 1 package crescent roll dough
• 32 slices pepperoni
• 4 mozzarella string cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Pizza sauce for dipping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Unroll the crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles.
4. Place 4 slices of pepperoni along the wide part of the crescent dough.
5. Place half of a string cheese in the center of the pepperoni and roll the dough up as you normally would.
6. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough.
7. Melt the butter in the microwave.
8. Finely mince the garlic and stir into the butter along with the parsley and onion powder.
9. Spoon over the crescent rolls.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
11. Serve hot, with warm pizza sauce for dipping.