This recipe is for all you pizza lovers out there! Enjoy this easy 30-minute recipe inspired by our NEW! Citrine Forestry Pizza Board and Wrought Iron Pizza Cutter. Whether your a busy mom trying to feed the kids or having a cozy movie night in, you can never go wrong with having pizza on the menu.
I N G R E D I E N T S
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1/2 to 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 to 3 cups other toppings: sautéed onions, sautéed
- mushrooms, pepperoni, cooked sausage, cooked bacon,
- diced peppers, leftover veggies, or any other favorites
- 1 to 2 cups (8 to 16 ounces) cheese
I N S T R U C T I O N S
Step 1 | Choose a Baking Dish
Use the right baking equipment to achieve the type of crust you prefer. Use a baking stone for a thin crispy crust or a pizza pan for a crisp-bottomed, chewy crust. For deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza, use a round cake pan.
Step 2 | Prep the Pan
Prepare the pan by sprinkling its surface with cornmeal or brushing it with oil.
Step 3 | Spread the Dough
Remove the refrigerated pre-made pizza dough from the package and press it onto the baking surface. Bakery or pizza shop dough tends to spring back a bit more than dough from a tube and may need some additional stretching to fit it onto the pan or stone.
Topping the Pizza
Step 1 | Choose Your Toppings
Choose toppings for your store bought pizza dough. Cook raw meat toppings, such as chicken or lean sausage. Don’t forget the veggies! Vegetables that are firm or release a lot of moisture, like peppers or onions, also benefit from pre-cooking. Lightly sauté them to retain some crunch and color or extend the cooking time for soft, caramelized results.
Step 2 | Shred Some Cheese
Shred, grate or crumble the cheese. Mozzarella, provolone, Monterey jack and Gruyere melt well and complement a variety of toppings. Should you select a strong-flavored cheese such as Parmesan, Romano, pecorino or feta, you won't need to use as much, which cuts down on the dish's fat and calories.
Step 3 | Spread the Sauce
Spread your favorite pizza sauce or spread onto the pre-made pizza dough, including tomato sauce, pesto, tapenade, roasted garlic or simply a light brushing of olive oil.
Step 4 | Add the Toppings
Sprinkle the sauced pre-made pizza dough evenly with the desired toppings. Apply the toppings lightly to avoid weighing down the crust.
Baking the Pizza
Step 1 | Heat the Oven
Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for store-bought pizza dough from a tube or 450 F for thawed, bakery or pizza shop dough.
Step 2 | Bake in the Oven
Place the pizza in the lower third of the oven to promote crisping and browning, and bake it for 14 to 16 minutes for a 12-inch pizza or 10 to 12 minutes for individual 6-inch pizzas.
Step 3 | Remove the Pizza
Remove the pizza from the oven when its edges are crisp and the cheese begins to blister and turn golden brown.
Step 4 | Let It Rest
Let the pizza rest for a few minutes before diving in for neater slicing.
Add a nice side salad and a glass of wine for the perfect weekday dinner!