Let's Make Homemade Pizza Dough

I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for YouTube videos of Italian grandmothers making homemade pizza dough. I'm not Italian...but I sure wish I was. I watch, and I am fascinated by all that goes into making really good pizza dough.

But, I work all day and need a "go to" pizza dough recipe that's easy and good.

Don't get me wrong, even with a global pandemic, I'm not cooking at home all of the time. We are still doing our part to keep our local economy going! We are still ordering pizza for delivery and carry out - from some of our favorite local places and national chains too.

I really like pizza. I might even say I love pizza. Some of you already know an easy way to get me to a business meeting across town or across the country is to promise to order pizza for the meeting. Total truth.

If I had to pick just one food to eat for an entire year, or any other crazy duration, I think I would pick pizza. It's been like that my entire life.

Growing up in Cincinnati, I was raised on LaRosa's - traditional crust, pepperoni under the cheese. Buddy LaRosa was a household name. I talk about him like he's a family member. We've never met.

This pizza dough recipe is not a replica of any famous pizzeria. That wasn't even the attempt when I went searching for it.

I just needed a dough that could hold the sauce and the toppings that would not take a long time to make and be idiot proof. I enjoy cooking, but I'm not earning any stars here in the Miller kitchen.

I've made this recipe now at least a half dozen times - and can assure you it will turn out okay. I've played around with doubling the recipe, because everyone always wants seconds. Come on, it's pizza, who wouldn't?!

Ingredients You Will Need on Hand

Yeast, sugar, water, olive oil, flour, salt

Steps to Making Your Own Pizza

1. Put on an apron

2. Proof the yeast - all this means is get a medium-sized bowl out and stir together 1 Tablespoon yeast (or 1 packet), 1 Tablespoon sugar, and 1 cup of warm water (not hot!) - let sit 5 minutes

3. Mix in 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 2 cups of flour, and 1 teaspoon salt, stir to combine and add more flour if needed

4. Knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes

5. Optional: Let rise if you want (I skip this step a lot)

6. Form and roll the dough to 1/2" thick

7. Pre-bake 5 minutes at 450 degrees (grease cookie sheet!)

8. Add sauce and toppings - bake 10 - 20 minutes at 450 degrees

9. Let rest 5 min before cutting

Keep a close eye on the pizza in step #8 - cheese will go from melty and bubbly to burnt quite quickly.

I'm not going to hyperlink to any sauce recipes. I've tried several homemade sauces, and at the end of the day, I haven't found one I love. So I buy jar sauce most of the time. Life is busy. Don't overthink it.

Quick tip: No rolling pin? No problem. Grab an unopened bottle of wine and use it instead.