With Italy right next door, we often have the chance to eat delicious pizzas, and during our trips to the United States we noticed that Americans eat quite a lot of pizza too, often with a thicker crust.

Some time ago I found a simple and perfect pizza dough recipe. I do not remember the original source anymore, but I adapt it depending on what kind of pizza I want to make. This recipe only takes a few minutes of work, because most of the magic happens during the resting time. So if you also want to become a pizza maker at home, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients for the pizza dough

– 500 g flour

– 1/4 liter lukewarm water

– 1 packet baker’s yeast

– 1 teaspoon salt (you can add more if you like salty food)

– 1 teaspoon sugar

– Olive oil

Method

Pour the flour into a large bowl and make a well in the center. In another container, mix the baker’s yeast with the teaspoon of salt and sugar. Add 1/4 liter of lukewarm water to the mixture and let it rest for 15 minutes, covered with foil or plastic wrap. Once a thick brownish foam appears on top, the mixture is ready and can be poured into the well in the flour.

Start mixing with a wooden spoon and then continue by hand. Once the dough no longer sticks, knead it on a floured work surface for a few minutes. Then pour in a little olive oil, knead again for a few more minutes, and shape the dough into a ball. You can also flavor the dough with herbs if you want a variation.

Let the dough rest for at least 1 hour under a damp kitchen towel in a warm place. Once the dough has rested, knead it again before rolling it out on a floured surface. You can make one large square pizza, two pizzas, or several small ones — simply divide the dough as needed.

Place the rolled-out dough on a baking tray either brushed with olive oil or lined with parchment paper. Add your toppings to the pizza dough: tomato sauce, ham, mushrooms, olives, cheese, artichoke hearts, tuna, salmon, and so on. Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C / 425°F for about 10 minutes. And that is it — your pizza is ready to enjoy.

Today, ours was topped with tomato sauce, herbs de Provence, cheese, ham, and mushrooms.

Enjoy your meal!