Andy Montoya
A cheese pizza is a simple yet delicious dish that can be made at home with a handful of ingredients. The dough can be made from scratch or store-bought, and the pizza sauce can be homemade or store-bought as well. The cheese is the star of the show, with mozzarella being a classic choice, but other cheeses like cheddar, provolone, goat cheese, and burrata can also be used. Additional toppings such as parmesan, chives, and oregano can be added to enhance the flavor. The pizza is then baked in the oven until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Ingredients for Cheese Pizza
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough | Pizza dough, yeast, sugar, flour, olive oil, salt |
| Sauce | Tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, provolone, goat cheese, burrata cheese, gorgonzola, fontina |
| Toppings | Chives, basil leaves, fresh herbs |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza dough
Ingredients:
The fundamental ingredients for pizza dough are flour, water, yeast, and salt. You will also need olive oil, which adds flavour and moisture to the dough. Additionally, sugar is often included to help activate the yeast and contribute to a golden crust.
Preparation:
Start by dissolving yeast and sugar in warm water (around 90-100°F). Let the mixture rest until bubbles form, indicating that the yeast is active. In a separate large bowl, combine flour and salt. Create a well in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture, along with olive oil. Mix the ingredients until a cohesive dough forms.
Kneading:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Kneading the dough is essential for developing gluten, which gives the dough strength and elasticity. Use the heel of your hand to fold and knead the dough for about 3 minutes. You can also use a food processor with a blitzing function for this step.
Proofing:
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Choose a warm spot to let the dough proof (rise) for about 2 hours, or until it doubles in size. This process allows the yeast to ferment, producing air bubbles that give the dough a light and airy texture.
Shaping:
After proofing, gently punch down the dough to remove excess air. Divide the dough as needed for your desired number of pizzas. Shape each portion into a ball, then use your hands or a rolling pin to flatten and stretch the dough into a circle. Aim for a thickness that suits your preference—a thinner crust will bake more quickly and result in a crispier texture.
Baking:
Preheat your oven to a temperature suitable for pizza baking, typically around 220-250°C. If using a pizza stone or baking steel, be sure to preheat it as well for optimal results. Place the shaped dough onto a floured surface or a greased and floured baking sheet to prevent sticking. Bake the dough for a few minutes before adding toppings to ensure a crisp base.
Preparing pizza dough from scratch requires time and patience, but the outcome is well worth the effort. Experiment with different types of flour, adjust the proofing time, or incorporate additional ingredients like herbs to make the dough your own. Remember, practice makes perfect, and soon enough, you'll be crafting delicious, chewy, and crispy pizza bases like a pro!
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Tomato sauce
A good tomato sauce is essential for a cheese pizza, and it's easy to make. You can use either cooked or raw tomato sauce, and there are many options for the latter, including canned, jarred, or even spaghetti sauce in a pinch. If you're using raw sauce, try Muir Glen Organic Tomato Sauce. All you need to do is open the can, grate in some garlic, add a generous amount of olive oil, and stir in some fresh oregano, salt, and pepper. You can also add fresh herbs like basil to garnish your pizza. This sauce has a bright, sweet, and savory flavor that's perfect for cheese pizza.
If you want to make your own cooked tomato sauce, you can use cherry or Roma tomatoes as a base. Simply cook the tomatoes until they form a sauce with the right consistency. You can also add other ingredients like garlic, olive oil, and herbs to taste.
For a more complex flavor, you can steep the olive oil with garlic for about 10 minutes before adding it to the sauce. This will infuse the oil with the flavor of garlic, adding an extra layer of flavor to your pizza.
When it comes to applying the sauce to your pizza, it's important not to overdo it. Spread the sauce onto the dough, leaving a border of about 1 inch around the edge. This will ensure that your pizza doesn't get soggy and will also give it a nice, even shape.
Finally, don't assemble your pizza until right before it goes into the oven. This will help reduce the risk of sticking and make transferring it to the oven much easier. So, get creative, and enjoy making your own cheese pizza with the perfect tomato sauce!
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Mozzarella
Shredded mozzarella is a popular choice for pizza as it melts evenly and creates a classic, stretchy layer of cheese. It also browns nicely in the oven, giving your pizza those golden spots that indicate melting perfection. If you're using shredded mozzarella, opt for the low-moisture variety as it will give you that coveted cheese pull. This type of mozzarella is also less likely to make your pizza watery.
Fresh mozzarella, on the other hand, creates pools of melted, gooey cheese that add textural contrast to the chewier low-moisture variety. It is standard in Italian pizzas, with fior di latte (made with cow's milk) and mozzarella di bufala being common choices.
When preparing your pizza, you can slice your own mozzarella or buy it pre-shredded. If you're feeling creative, try cubing fresh mozzarella to add an extra layer of texture and a beautiful, pristine white colour to your pizza.
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Parmesan
When making a cheese pizza, it is important to consider the type of parmesan to use. Grated parmesan is a good option, as it can be sprinkled over the pizza before baking. This will ensure an even distribution of flavour and help to create a barrier between the crust and sauce. Parmesan can also be shredded and tossed together with other ingredients, such as chives, oregano, and mozzarella, before being scattered over the pizza.
The amount of parmesan used can vary depending on taste preferences and the desired level of saltiness. However, it is important not to overuse parmesan, as it has a strong flavour that can overpower other ingredients. A sprinkle of parmesan over the pizza before baking is usually sufficient.
When using parmesan on a cheese pizza, it is also important to consider the other ingredients and their proportions. For example, if using mozzarella, it is recommended to use a low-moisture variety, as this will provide the desired melt and stretch without making the pizza watery. Additionally, the type of pizza dough and sauce used can affect the overall flavour and texture of the pizza, so choosing a high-quality dough and sauce is important.
Overall, parmesan is an essential ingredient in a cheese pizza, adding flavour and texture to the dish. When used in combination with other cheeses, such as mozzarella, and with the right dough and sauce, parmesan can help to create a delicious, savoury pizza with a perfect balance of flavours.
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Toppings
A classic cheese pizza is made with two or three types of cheese. The most common cheese used is mozzarella, which is usually shredded or low-moisture, but can also be fresh. Fresh mozzarella gives the pizza a gooey, melted texture, while low-moisture mozzarella is stretchier and browns nicely in the oven.
Other cheeses that can be used include parmesan, cheddar, provolone, goat cheese, burrata, gorgonzola, and fontina. Parmesan adds a savoury, salty flavour and acts as a barrier between the crust and the sauce.
In addition to the cheese, toppings for a classic cheese pizza can include fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, or chives, which add a subtle onion-garlic flavour. You can also add salt, pepper, and olive oil. For a garlic cheese pizza, steep olive oil with garlic for 10 minutes before adding it to the pizza.
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Frequently asked questions
The ingredients for a classic cheese pizza are pizza dough, tomato sauce, and cheese. The dough can be homemade or store-bought, and the sauce can be homemade or store-bought pizza sauce. For the cheese, mozzarella is a classic choice, but you can also use cheddar, provolone, goat cheese, or burrata cheese.
Most cheese pizzas use two or three types of cheese.
Some good combinations of cheese for a pizza are mozzarella and parmesan, mozzarella, gorgonzola, fontina, and parmesan, or mozzarella and cheddar.
You can store leftover cheese pizza in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. To prevent the pizza from taking on smells in the refrigerator, wrap it in plastic wrap.
