Description
This homemade pizza recipe features a thin, crispy crust topped with a flavorful garlic-infused tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella pearls. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe makes two delicious 25cm teardrop-shaped pizzas, perfect for a satisfying homemade meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 300g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 200ml warm water (not too hot)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Tomato Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 200ml passata
Toppings
- 8 mozzarella pearls, halved
- Small bunch fresh basil
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Tip the flour into a bowl, stir in the yeast and salt. Make a well in the center, then pour in warm water and the olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a soft, fairly wet dough forms.
- Knead and proof the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth. Cover with a tea towel and leave to rise for about an hour or until doubled in size. Alternatively, leave the rough dough in the bowl, cover, and refrigerate overnight to proof slowly.
- Make the tomato sauce: Heat olive oil in a small pan, add crushed garlic and fry briefly without browning. Add passata and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Shape the dough: Once risen, quickly knead the dough to deflate it. Turn onto a floured surface and divide into two balls. Roll each ball out into a thin, teardrop shape about 25cm across.
- Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 240°C (220°C fan/gas mark 9) with a large baking sheet inside to heat up.
- Assemble the pizza: Place one dough base on a floured baking sheet. Spread the cooled tomato sauce evenly over it with the back of a spoon. Scatter half the mozzarella pearls on top, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake the pizza: Transfer the pizza (on its baking sheet) onto the heated baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is crisp and golden.
- Repeat and garnish: Repeat the assembly and baking process for the second pizza. Scatter fresh basil leaves on top before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the water used for the dough is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Teardrop shapes fit the baking sheet better than round bases, making baking easier.
- Do not over-brown the garlic when frying to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- Allow the tomato sauce to cool before spreading on the dough to prevent sogginess.
- You can leave the dough to prove overnight in the fridge for better flavor development.
- Use a hot baking sheet to achieve a crispy base similar to a pizza stone.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: homemade pizza, pizza dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella pizza, easy pizza recipe, Italian pizza
