Description
This homemade pizza recipe features a crisp, thin teardrop-shaped base topped with a rich, flavorful homemade tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella pearls, finished with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh basil. The dough is made from strong white bread flour, yeast, and olive oil, then rolled thin and baked at a high temperature to achieve a perfect crust. It’s a classic Italian-inspired pizza that’s simple to make and delicious to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 300g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 200ml warm water
- 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 pepper, to season
Instructions
- Make the Dough: Tip the flour into a bowl, stir in the instant yeast and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the warm water along with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Stir together with a wooden spoon until a soft, fairly wet dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth. Cover with a tea towel and set aside for about an hour until the dough has doubled in size. Alternatively, leave the dough covered in the fridge overnight to prove slowly.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small pan. Add the crushed garlic and fry briefly, ensuring it does not brown. Add the passata and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Shape the Dough: Once risen, quickly knead the dough to knock it back and tip it onto a floured surface. Divide into two balls and roll each into a thin teardrop shape about 25cm across, which fits baking sheets better than rounds.
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 240°C (220°C fan)/ gas mark 9. Place a large baking sheet inside to heat.
- Assemble the Pizza: Transfer one pizza base onto a floured baking sheet. Spread the cooled tomato sauce evenly over the surface using the back of a spoon. Scatter half the mozzarella pearls evenly over the base. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza on its baking sheet onto the preheated hot baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is crisp and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, scatter over fresh basil leaves, drizzle with a little more olive oil if desired, then slice and serve immediately. Repeat the process with the second dough ball for a second pizza.
Notes
- For a more flavorful dough, consider allowing it to prove slowly overnight in the fridge.
- To avoid soggy pizza, ensure the sauce is cooled before spreading on the dough.
- Use a hot baking sheet in the oven to help create a crispy crust.
- The teardrop shape of the base makes it easier to fit on standard baking sheets.
- If fresh basil is not available, dried basil or oregano can be used as alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: homemade pizza, pizza with homemade sauce, mozzarella pizza, easy pizza dough, Italian pizza recipe, thin crust pizza
