Randy Chandler
Pizza is a family favourite, and a classic cheese and tomato pizza is a great, easy meal to make at home. The base is simple to prepare, and you can add whatever toppings you like, from peppers and pepperoni to pineapple and mushrooms. The key to a great pizza is in the preparation of the dough and the preheating of the oven. The dough needs to be kneaded until it is smooth and elastic, and the oven should be preheated for at least 10 minutes to ensure an even cook.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough | Made with flour, salt, olive oil, sugar, yeast and warm water |
| Dough preparation | Mix dry ingredients, then add water and oil. Knead for 8-10 minutes. Leave to rest for at least 1 hour |
| Oven temperature | 200°C for fan oven, 220°C for conventional oven, 500-550°F for broiler |
| Baking time | 12-15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling |
| Toppings | Tomato sauce, mozzarella, Grana Padano, basil, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, meat, pineapple, jalapeños |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza dough
First, add flour, sugar, salt, and yeast to a bowl, and stir in olive oil and warm water. Mix the dough with your hands until it forms a soft, sticky consistency. Then, turn the dough onto a work surface and knead until it becomes smooth and elastic. To knead the dough, push and stretch it away from you with the heel of your hand.
Once the dough is kneaded, transfer it to an oiled bowl and cover it with clingfilm. Leave the dough to rest for at least an hour to allow it to rise. For a more flavourful dough, you can leave it overnight so that the yeast can ferment.
When you're ready to bake your pizza, divide the dough into two and roll each piece into a ball. Then, roll out the dough balls into circles, leaving the edges slightly thicker than the centre.
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Pizza sauce
For a basic pizza sauce, start by mixing tomato paste and sauce in a bowl until well combined. Then, add your choice of herbs and spices, such as oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, garlic salt, pepper, and sugar. Mix until everything is evenly distributed. This sauce can be used immediately without cooking, but it's best to let it stand for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend.
If you want to make a thicker, richer, and more complex sauce, you can follow a New York-style recipe. Start by puréeing whole peeled tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, and Italian seasoning. Then, heat a combination of olive oil and butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, oregano, pepper flakes, and salt, cooking until fragrant. Finally, add the puréed tomatoes, onion halves, basil, and sugar, and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
You can also make pizza sauce with fresh tomatoes. First, cut an "X" on the bottom of each tomato and blanch them in boiling water for about 30 seconds. Then, transfer them to ice water and remove the skins. Blend the tomatoes until liquefied, then pour them into a saucepan. Add onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, and simmer until the sauce reduces to your desired consistency.
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Cheese
Mozzarella is the classic choice for a cheese and tomato pizza, with its mild flavour and stretchy, melty texture creating that perfect, cheesy pull with each slice. It is often paired with other cheeses to add extra depth of flavour. Franco Pepe, for example, combines mozzarella with aged Grana Padano and creamy buffalo mozzarella in his famous pizza recipe. Other popular cheeses to combine with mozzarella include Parmesan and provolone.
When it comes to adding cheese to your pizza, the amount you sprinkle on is up to you. However, it is important not to overload your pizza with too many toppings, as this can lead to a soggy pizza and uneven cooking. A thin layer of cheese, evenly spread, will ensure your pizza cooks through evenly and achieves that desired, golden, bubbly texture.
For a vegetarian cheese and tomato pizza, you could add sliced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, or cherry tomatoes for added flavour and texture. Meat lovers might opt for pepperoni, cooked sausage, bacon, or ham, while those seeking a gourmet touch could try high-quality, thinly sliced Italian cured meats like prosciutto or salami.
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Toppings
A classic cheese and tomato pizza is a great base for any toppings of your choice. The traditional Margherita pizza is a simple yet elegant combination of fresh basil leaves, white mozzarella, and red tomato sauce, representing the colours of the Italian flag.
For a vegetarian option, you can add sliced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, or cherry tomatoes. Sautéing the veggies lightly before adding them to the pizza can enhance the depth of flavour. If you want to add meat to your pizza, try slices of pepperoni, cooked sausage, bacon, or ham. For a gourmet touch, use high-quality, thinly sliced Italian cured meats, such as prosciutto or salami.
Feel free to get creative and experiment with unique flavour combinations. You can include spicy jalapeños, sweet pineapple chunks, or even chicken (although it is recommended to use cooked chicken and spread out the pieces thinly to ensure quick cooking).
Remember, the key to a delicious pizza is not to overload it with toppings and to use ingredients that are either cooked or will cook quickly.
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Cooking
To make a cheese and tomato pizza, you'll first need to make the dough. To do this, add flour, sugar, salt, and yeast to a bowl and mix. Then, add warm water and olive oil. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. You can also do this step by hand, pushing and stretching the dough away from you with the heel of your hand. Continue kneading for another 3-5 minutes.
Next, divide the dough into two and roll each piece into a ball. Roll out the dough balls into circles, leaving the edges slightly thicker than the centre. You can also divide the dough into four if you want to make a thinner base. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gently press and stretch it into a rough 8-inch circle, leaving the outer 1-inch higher than the rest. Stretch the dough into a 10-12-inch circle about 1/4-inch thick.
Preheat your oven to 200°C (fan) or 220°C (conventional) for at least 30 minutes before baking the pizza. You can also preheat to the highest possible temperature (500-550°F/260-290°C) for at least 45 minutes. Use a pizza stone or preheated baking sheet to achieve a crispier crust. Preheating the baking surface will ensure the pizza cooks evenly, resulting in a perfectly crispy base.
Now it's time to add your toppings. First, spread a thin layer of sauce over the pizza, leaving a border around the edge. You can use ready-made passata, pizza topping sauce, or pasta sauce, or make your own by cooking garlic, onion, canned tomatoes, and oregano until thick. You can also use one part concentrated tomato and one part water. Then, add your cheese. Mozzarella is a classic choice and will give you that iconic cheesy pull, but you can also use Grana Padano or buffalo mozzarella. Sprinkle on as much cheese as you like!
Finally, bake your pizza in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through and the cheese is bubbling. For a pizza with cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil, bake for 3-6 minutes, or until the edges are puffed and lightly charred and the bottom is crisp.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need pizza dough, tomato sauce, and cheese. For the dough, you will need flour, salt, olive oil, sugar, yeast, and water. For the sauce, you can use canned tomatoes, tomato paste, or passata, and add herbs and spices. For the cheese, mozzarella is a popular choice.
Mix flour, salt, olive oil, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Then, add warm water and mix until it forms a soft, sticky dough. Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead until it is smooth and elastic.
You can cook garlic and onions in olive oil, then add canned tomatoes and dried oregano and cook until thick. Alternatively, use passata or tomato paste and add herbs and spices.
Preheat your oven to a high temperature (at least 200°C). Roll out the dough thinly, then spread on the sauce, leaving a border. Add cheese and any other toppings. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the dough is cooked through.
You can add fresh basil leaves, meats such as pepperoni or prosciutto, or vegetables like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or olives.
