Bushra Griffith
There's nothing quite like a classic cheese pizza, and making one at home can be even more satisfying than ordering in. The key to a great cheese pizza is the blend of cheeses that melt together to create a gooey, golden topping. While some recipes call for just mozzarella, others suggest adding provolone or parmesan for extra flavour. The dough is also important – a simple combination of warm water, sugar, yeast and flour can be kneaded and stretched to form the perfect base. After adding your sauce and cheese, the pizza is baked until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted. For an authentic pizzeria experience, you can even use a pizza stone to achieve a crispy exterior with a soft and chewy interior.
How to Prepare Cheese Pizza:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough | Homemade or store-bought |
| Dough ingredients | Water, sugar, yeast |
| Dough tools | Stand mixer, hand |
| Dough shape | 12-14 inch circle |
| Sauce | Homemade or store-bought |
| Sauce ingredients | Fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, oregano |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, cheddar |
| Other toppings | Basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt |
| Oven temperature | 425-550°F |
| Baking time | 5-20 minutes |
| Baking tools | Pizza stone, baking pan, parchment paper |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the dough
Ingredients
First, gather your ingredients. For a basic dough, you will need warm water, sugar, yeast, and flour. The water temperature is crucial—it should be between 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to check, as water that is too cold will slow down rising, and water that is too hot can kill the yeast. The sugar is added to feed the yeast and speed up fermentation, so your dough rises nicely.
Mixing and Kneading
In a large mixing bowl, combine the water, sugar, and yeast. Give it a quick stir to mix everything, and let it sit for a few minutes. You will notice the yeast becoming frothy and bubbling—this indicates that it is active and ready to use.
Now, gradually add the flour and mix until a soft dough forms. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step, or knead the dough by hand on a floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
Rising
Once the dough is kneaded, place it in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Keep the bowl in a warm, draft-free place, and let the dough rise until it has doubled in size. This should take about an hour, depending on the temperature of your environment.
Shaping
After the dough has risen, punch it down to remove any air bubbles, and divide it into three or four portions, depending on how many pizzas you want to make. Roll each portion into a ball, and use your hands or a rolling pin to stretch and flatten the dough into a circle. The dough should be thin, but not so thin that it tears. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
Now, you are ready to assemble your pizza! Place the dough on a greased and floured sheet of heavy-duty foil or parchment paper. This will make it easier to transfer your pizza into the oven later.
Remember, the key to great pizza dough is patience. Take your time with each step, and you will be rewarded with a delicious, chewy crust that is the foundation of a perfect cheese pizza.
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Choosing the cheese
The cheese is the star of the show in a classic cheese pizza, so it's important to choose the right blend of cheeses that will melt together and create a delicious, gooey texture.
The most popular choice for a classic cheese pizza is mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella will make your pizza seriously gooey, while shredded mozzarella will act as the glue that sticks it all together. If you're short on time, you can use pre-shredded mozzarella, but for the best flavour and texture, opt for a whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella block that you can grate by hand.
To add a salty kick to your pizza, sprinkle some shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan on top. Provolone slices are another great option to add to your mozzarella base. They melt nicely and smoothly and add a lovely flavour to your pizza.
For a more complex flavour profile, you can add a third type of cheese to the mix. Cheddar cheese, for example, will give your pizza a sharper taste.
Remember, the key to a great cheese pizza is finding the right balance of cheeses that will melt well together and create a delicious, gooey texture. So feel free to experiment with different combinations and amounts until you find your perfect blend!
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Preparing the sauce
For an extra flavourful sauce, you can sauté some garlic in olive oil before adding the tomatoes and oregano. This will give your sauce a deeper, more complex flavour. You can also add other ingredients to the sauce, such as onions, carrots, or celery, to give it a more robust flavour. Simply sauté these ingredients with the garlic before adding the tomatoes.
If you're short on time, you can even use store-bought spaghetti sauce as a base and add your own fresh herbs and spices to taste. This can be a great option if you're in a pinch and don't have time to make your sauce from scratch. However, making your sauce from scratch will always result in a more flavourful and fresh-tasting pizza.
Once you have your sauce prepared, you can spread it onto your pizza dough. Be sure to leave a thin edge around the crust untouched so that the sauce doesn't make the crust soggy. You can use the back of a spoon to spread the sauce evenly, creating a thin layer for your cheese to sit on.
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Baking the pizza
Once you've prepared your pizza dough, sauce, and cheese, it's time to assemble your pizza. First, transfer your dough to a pizza peel or pan. If your dough shrinks, don't worry—just reform it. Next, spread your sauce over the dough, leaving a thin edge for the crust. Now, scatter your cheese mixture over the sauce. You can use a blend of cheeses like mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar, or even add provolone slices for extra gooeyness.
Before baking, it's important to preheat your oven. Most home ovens only go up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so you may need a longer baking time. Preheat your oven for about an hour with a pizza stone, baking steel, or an upside-down baking sheet on the upper third rack. This setup will ensure your pizza crust is baked evenly. If you're using a pizza stone, preheat it while preparing your pizza. You can also grease your baking sheet or pan with a light coating of oil to prevent sticking.
Now, it's time to bake your pizza! Slide the pizza off the peel and onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Alternatively, transfer the pizza parchment paper and all onto the hot stone. Bake for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on your oven temperature and the desired doneness of your crust and cheese. For a classic, crispy-bottomed, and airy crust, bake at 450° Fahrenheit (232° Celsius) for 6 to 15 minutes. If you're comfortable with higher temperatures, you can increase the heat to 550° Fahrenheit (288° Celsius) for an even better crust. Just be cautious of hot air escaping when opening the oven door.
Your pizza is ready when the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted with golden spots. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. Finally, brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle basil leaves on top for a delicious finishing touch. Now, your homemade cheese pizza is ready to be served and enjoyed!
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Serving the pizza
Once your pizza is baked to perfection, it's time to serve it! But before you do, there are a few final touches you can add to enhance the flavour and presentation.
Firstly, transfer the pizza from the oven to a cooling rack. This will prevent the crust from becoming soggy. If you've baked your pizza on parchment paper, you can slide it off the paper and directly onto the rack. If you've used a pizza stone or baking sheet, carefully lift the pizza off with a spatula and place it on the rack.
Next, it's time to add some extra flavour. Brush the crust with olive oil, and sprinkle basil leaves or other herbs of your choice over the surface. This step is optional, but it adds a nice touch of colour and freshness to your pizza. You can also add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or dried chilli flakes for an extra kick.
Finally, cut the pizza into slices. For a classic triangle shape, cut the pizza into wedges, dividing it first into quarters, and then cutting each quarter into two or three slices. You can also cut the pizza into squares if you prefer, especially if you've made a thicker, more bread-like pizza.
Now, your pizza is ready to be served! Enjoy it while it's still hot and fresh from the oven. For an extra indulgent touch, serve your pizza with a side of dipping sauces, such as garlic butter or ranch dressing.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need pizza dough, pizza sauce, and cheese. You can make these yourself or buy them from a store.
Mozzarella is a classic choice, but you can also use provolone or parmesan.
Start by kneading the dough with warm water (90-100°C). You can roll it out with a rolling pin or stretch it with your hands into a 12-14 inch circle.
Spread the sauce over the dough, leaving a thin edge for the crust. Add the cheese and any desired seasonings, such as oregano, basil, or garlic powder.
Bake the pizza for 5-20 minutes, depending on your oven temperature. The pizza is done when the cheese has melted and the crust is golden brown.
