A cheese pizza is a classic dish comprising a fluffy and crispy crust topped with a layer of tomato sauce and an assortment of melted cheeses. The main focus is on the primary cheese, mozzarella, which becomes wonderfully gooey and deliciously stringy when baked. This uncomplicated yet flavorful pizza allows the rich combination of cheese and tomato to take center stage. Baked until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly, each bite offers a simple yet satisfying taste.
What is Homemade Cheese Pizza?
Homemade cheese pizza is a delicious and comforting dish that brings together simple ingredients to create a tasty meal. This iconic dish consists of a pizza crust, a luscious tomato sauce, and a layer of melted cheese, topped with fresh basil. The main cheese melted on this pizza is fresh mozzarella, which has a neutral flavor profile allowing other flavors to shine. In addition, parmesan is sprinkled on top and fresh basil is added after cooking.
What do you need to make it?
Pizza dough: The foundation of the pizza is made with flour, yeast, salt, sugar, water, and olive oil.
Tomato sauce: A flavorful tomato sauce is spread over the pizza crust to provide a tangy and savory base. The sauce is typically made from tomatoes, garlic, vinegar, and various herbs and spices.
Mozzarella cheese: Its exceptional meltability and mild, creamy taste make it an ideal choice for achieving that quintessential gooey, stretchy layer of cheese pizza is known for. Its neutral profile allows it to complement other toppings and sauces without overpowering them.
Parmesan cheese: Parmesan, with its rich, nutty, and savory profile, adds depth and complexity to a homemade cheese pizza. Often grated or shaved, Parmesan cheese is sprinkled over the mozzarella layer. Its salty and umami notes provide a contrast to the mildness of mozzarella, enhancing the overall taste of the pizza.
Basil: Basil is a fragrant herb that brings freshness and a delightful aromatic element to the cheese pizza. Its vibrant green leaves are typically torn or thinly sliced and scattered over the top of the pizza after baking. The sweet, slightly peppery flavor of basil cuts through the richness of the cheese.
Different cheeses can be substituted in, as can other toppings, such as mushrooms or olives.
serving suggestions
Homemade cheese pizza is best served fresh, while it is still warm. It can be served with a side salad or alongside a variety of dips for dipping the crust. Top the pizza with some crushed red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese, olive oil, or a balsamic vinegar glaze.
Homemade Cheese Pizza
Yields: 3 12-inch pizzas
Ready in: 3 hours
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Inactive time: 2 hours
Ingredients
For the dough
- 525 grams of all-purpose flour
- 1 8 gram sachet of instant yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar
- 1 1/3 cups of lukewarm water
- 1 tablespoons of olive oil
For the Dough
- 2 14.5oz cans of diced tomatoes, blended
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 5 cloves of garlic, grated
- 1/2 teasooion of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 teaspoons of brown sugar
- 2 basil leaves
For the Topping
- 24oz of fresh mozzarella cheese, torn or sliced
- 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
- 3 basil leaves
Method
Prepare the dough
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a bowl and stir to combine. Add the water and olive oil, and stir until a shaggy dough (lumpy, yet well-mixed) forms. Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
Step 2
Knead the dough (by pushing the dough with the base of your palm and reforming it into a ball) for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is pillowy and has a smooth and stretchy exterior.
If the dough is very sticky, add some more flour.
Step 3
Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place each one in a lightly greased bowl. Cover each bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise, or until it has doubled in size (about 2 hours)
Prepare the Sauce
Step 1
Heat the oil in a medium pot. When the oil is hot, add the crushed rd pepper flakes and grated garlic, stirring constantly so the garlic does not burn. After about 1 minute, pour in the blended tomatoes.
Step 2
Bring the sauce to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add the vinegar, salt, and brown sugar. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 3
After the sauce has simmered for 10 minutes, tear te basil lead and add it tohe sauce. Remove from the heat.
Top & Cook the pizza
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 425F.
Step 2
On a lightly floured surface, roll out a ball of dough into a 12-inch circle. Spread about 1 1/2 cups of sauce on top and top with 1/3 of the cheeses. Repeat for the remaining balls of dough.
Step 3
Cook the pizzas for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden. Tear one basil leaf onto each pizza after cooking.
Delicious Defined 
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