Italian Pizza

This homemade Italian Pizza recipe is so much easier than you think. It can all be made in your standard oven and tastes so good!

Making homemade Italian Pizza is so much easier than you think, and I’m going to show you how!

Pizza has to be one of everyone’s favourite foods, I mean who doesn’t love pizza right?

This Italian Pizza recipe doesn’t require any fancy equipment or a pizza oven. It can all be made in your standard oven and tastes so good, you’ll be wanting to make it all the time!

If you love making your own pizza and bread, you have to check out my focaccia pizza, yogurt flatbread and protein pizza which are so easy and taste amazing!

You can get creative as you like with the toppings and make it just as you like!

Table of Contents

• Ingredients to make Italian Pizza recipe
• Toppings
• How to make Italian Pizza
• Tips for making Italian Pizza
• FAQs
• More Italian Recipes
• More Bread Recipes
• Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients to make Italian Pizza recipe

• OO Flour is the preferred flour to use for Italian Pizza as it’s much finer to create a softer pizza base. You can purchase this at most supermarkets or at Italian and Mediterranean grocers. If you can’t purchase OO flour, plain all-purpose flour can also be used, however you will need to knead for slightly longer 
• Instant yeast is used so that you don’t have to let the dough rise for long period or overnight. You can still use fresh yeast which is traditionally used for Italian pizzas but it’s best to let your dough rest for a longer period 
• Warm water is required to mix with the yeast before adding to the flour 
• Salt and Extra Virgin Olive Oil is added for flavour and texture

Toppings

Its important to use the highest quality of ingredients to make it taste like a pizza from Italy! 

• Tomatoes
• Mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil or basil oil
• Olives
• Parmigiano Regiano cheese
• Mushrooms
• Artichoke
• Onions
• Capsicum /Peppers
• Pepperoni/salami
• Eggplant
• Chicken
• Pesto

How to make Italian Pizza

1. Prepare the dough. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt together. Add the yeast to warm water and let it stand for a few minutes for bubbles or foam to appear.
   
   Pour yeasty water into the flour bowl slowly, mixing with a spoon at the same time. Once all the water has been added, add olive oil and mix with a spoon to combine
2. Knead dough. Transfer the dough to a bench that’s been dusted with flour. Knead with your hands for about 10 minutes until the dough is elastic and smooth
3. Resting time. Roll into a ball, tucking under the sides and allow to rest covered with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap for 30 -60 mintues
   
   The dough would have doubled in size. Divide into 3 even balls then add a touch of olive oil to the top of the balls and let them rest covered with cling wrap or a damp cloth for a minimum of 2 hours
4. Make the pizza. Peheat oven to its highest setting for 30 minutes with your pizza stone or oven tray inside. 
   
   To make the pizza shape, dust your bench with semolina flour and using your hands gently stretch into a pizza shape
5. Add toppings. Add your tomato sauce and favourite toppings, all except the mozzarella cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and brush some onto the crust too
6. Cook the Pizza. Gently move the pizza base to your heated pizza pan or oven tray. Cook in the oven on the lowest level for approximately 4-5 minutes
   
   Remove from oven, add mozzarella cheese and place back in the oven for 3-4 minutes until the cheese has melted.
   
   Tear over some fresh basil leaves and enjoy!

Tips for making Italian Pizza

1. When kneading the pizza dough, add a dusting of flour to your bench or table. If the dough is too wet or sticky, add a touch of flour
2. When allowing the dough balls to rest in a bowl or tray, add a dusting of flour or some olive oil to the bottom of the tray or bowl first. This ensures the dough won’t get stuck to the bottom. Also, add a touch of olive oil to the top of the dough balls before they rest
3. If resting the dough balls overnight in the fridge, wrap your tray well with cling wrap so no air can come inside. You’ll also need to allow the dough to come back to room temperature for 2-3 hours before the pizza is going to be made
4. When making the pizza shape and stretching the base, be very gentle especially if you have let your dough rest overnight as it will be very soft and can tear easily
5. Dust your bench with semolina flour, as it’s much easier to stretch the dough without it sticking. The less the dough is touched the better when stretching the dough
6. If using fresh mozzarella cheese which is in water, you’ll need to dry out the excess liquid. It’s best to cut it into strips or in smaller pieces, and place the cheese on paper towels or a colander for at least a few hours or overnight to dry out the excess water. If you miss this step, water puddles will come out of the cheese when it’s cooked and you’ll have a watery pizza

FAQs

More Italian Recipes

• Pasta Al Limone
• Spinach Lasagna
• Italian Hot Chocolate
• Limoncello Recipe
• Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca
• Pasta e Fagioli
• Bruschetta
• Sugo Recipe (Homemade Tomato Sauce)
• Saffron Risotto

More Bread Recipes

• No Knead Focaccia
• Yogurt Flatbread
• Healthy Banana Bread
• 2 Ingredient Bagels
• Cheesy Pull Apart Bread with Pesto

I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Italian Pizza photo on Instagram so I can share the love!

Recipe