Simple and Delicious Italian Pizza Recipe

Italian pizza is a favorite among food enthusiasts for its simplicity yet delicious taste. In this article, we will guide you through making your very own homemade version of this classic dish. This recipe serves four people and takes approximately 35 minutes to prepare.

To start preparing the pizza, first gather all necessary ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 package of active dry yeast (about 2½ teaspoons)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cheese (any type of your choice, e.g., mozzarella, Parmesan)
• Toppings: sliced ham, mushrooms, pepperoni, bell peppers, etc.

Mix the yeast with 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl and add warm water. Stir well to dissolve the yeast, then let it sit until bubbles start forming (about 5 minutes).

Combine flour, salt, and pepper on your work surface or directly into the mixing bowl of your stand mixer. When you add the dissolved yeast mixture along with olive oil, mix it thoroughly until a dough forms.

Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes either by hand or using the dough hook attachment in your stand mixer. The texture should be smooth and elastic when done. Place this into a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature for approximately an hour until doubled in size.

Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release excess air. Divide the dough evenly among four small round pans or plates (about 8 inches each), then form it into circles about 1 inch thick. Let them sit again to relax a little while you prepare your toppings and preheat oven to 425°F.

For the cheese layer, sprinkle half of the amount needed over the base of each pizza. Arrange your desired toppings evenly across all four pizzas after that. Finally, add another layer of shredded cheese on top covering all visible parts.

Place these prepared pies into an oven preheated to 425°F and bake them for approximately twenty minutes or until golden brown and crispy on the edges but still soft in the middle when poked gently with a knife. Remove from ovens, let cool slightly before slicing and serving immediately while still warm.

Tips & Tricks:

1. Use pizza stone instead of regular baking sheet if possible for better crust texture.
2. Parchment paper can be placed on the pan for easier removal later but remember to poke holes through it so that steam doesn't build up inside during cooking which could result in soggy bottom layers.
3. If you prefer thinner crusts, roll them out more thinly before baking.

Italian Pizza is not only enjoyable when served hot straight from the oven but also makes an excellent cold snack later on. You can store leftovers properly wrapped up for a few days in your refrigerator if desired; however, fresh ingredients will yield better results each time you make this dish!

Enjoy your homemade Italian pizzas! They are quick to prepare and serve, making them perfect for casual dinner parties or family dinners.