Description
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma and delicious taste of homemade pizza, especially when it’s wonderfully cheesy and simple to create. This recipe is your ticket to a perfect pizza night, bringing that classic pizzeria experience right into your own kitchen with minimal fuss. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with a truly satisfying, cheesy delight. This is the pizza that dreams are made of, with a perfectly baked crust topped generously with gooey, melted cheese and your favorite pizza sauce. The flavor profile is rich tomato flavor from the sauce, savory from the cheese, and a warm, comforting taste from the baked crust. Textures include a delightful contrast of a slightly crisp crust, a luscious layer of melted cheese, and a smooth, flavorful sauce. Perfect for novice pizza makers.
Ingredients
1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade), brought to room temperature for 1 hour
1/2 cup high-quality pizza sauce (smooth, not chunky)
2 cups (8 oz) low-moisture whole milk mozzarella cheese, freshly grated from a block
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Cornmeal (for dusting the pan or peel)
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
Set your oven to its highest temperature, typically between 500F and 550F (260C to 285C). Place a pizza stone or an upside-down heavy baking sheet inside to heat up for at least 45 minutes.
Lightly coat a pizza peel or parchment paper with cornmeal.
Gently shape the dough into a 12 to 14-inch circle using your hands, being careful not to deflate the air bubbles. Place the shaped dough onto the prepared peel or parchment.
Brush a thin layer of olive oil along the outer 1-inch edge of the dough for a nicely browned and crisp crust.
Spread a smooth layer of pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving the oiled edge clear.
Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the sauce, then cover generously with the freshly grated mozzarella cheese.
Carefully transfer the pizza, still on parchment if you used it, directly onto the hot pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven.
Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, keeping a close eye on it until the crust is deeply golden with some charring and the cheese is bubbly and browned in spots.
Remove from the oven, add dried oregano if you like, and let it sit for 3 minutes before cutting so the melted cheese can set a little.
Notes
For an extra crispy bottom crust, you can place the pizza directly on the oven rack if using a sturdy pre-made crust. Alternatively, preheating a pizza stone or baking steel in the oven before adding the pizza can also help.
Distribute the cheese evenly across the sauce to ensure consistent meltiness and flavor in every slice.
Oven temperatures can vary. Keep an eye on your pizza during the last few minutes of baking to prevent the cheese from burning or the crust from getting too dark.
Allowing the pizza to rest for a couple of minutes after baking helps the cheese firm up slightly, preventing it from sliding off when you slice it.
- Prep Time: Approximately 30 minutes (active)
- Cook Time: 8-12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American