How to Make An Italian Homemade Pizza That Everyone Will Love

Is there anyone who doesn’t like pizza? With all of the possible variations, pizza has always been a favorite food for people of all ages. Plus, every family member can get involved in cooking a pizza, making it fun for the whole family.

Even if you consider the kitchen foreign territory, you can make an Italian homemade pizza with just a few easy steps. The first step is making the dough. If you’re short on time, you can purchase pre-made pizza dough at your local grocery store. However, handmade pizza dough is not difficult to make, not to mention it’s delicious!

For this Italian pizza recipe, try using Father Dominic Garramone’s recipe for making pizza crust. A Benedictine priest, Father Dominic has written educational and inspirational books on spiritual growth through baking bread. He also hosted the PBS television show, “Breaking Bread with Father Dominic.”. This recipe will yield one 15 inch thick-crust pizza or two smaller thin-crust pizzas.

Ingredients:
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 cup warm water
½ cup cold milk
1¼ tsp. salt
2 Tbs. of olive oil
3 to 3 ½ cups all purpose flour

Using a medium sized bowl, stir the yeast and brown sugar together in warm water until dissolved. Let it rest for about five minutes. Stir in the cold milk, olive oil and salt. Using 1/2 cup at a time, add 2 1/2 cups of flour, then mix until thoroughly incorporated. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead for about five minutes, adding small amounts of flour to keep the dough manageable. Lightly oil the surface of the dough. Place it in a medium size clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in the refrigerator for at least two hours or overnight.

Around two hours before you plan to make your pizza, punch down the dough, then knead it lightly. Then, form it into a ball. Place the dough on the counter and cover with a clean, dry towel. Let it rest there until it comes to room temperature. To form the crust, flatten the dough with your hand and then roll out on a lightly floured board to the desired size. Father Dominic suggests preheating the oven to 500 degrees fahrenheit and preparing the crust on a pizza stone.

When the dough is prepared, then it’s time to choose the toppings. What Italian pizza recipe is complete without Italian meat? The best place for Italian meat toppings is Volpi Foods, America’s oldest and most prestigious producer of authentic, hand-crafted Italian meats. Whether you use your favorite tomato sauce or plain olive oil as your base, Volpi’s wide variety of dry cured meats will add flavor and excitement to any pizza.

For a twist on the traditional pepperoni pizza, try using Volpi’s hot Sopressata for a spicy pizza pie. If you’re in the mood for a salty and sweet combination, use slices of Volpi’s famous melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto. Add fresh spinach leaves, sprinkle with goat cheese crumbles, then layer with thin slices of prosciutto. Bake in the oven until the crust is light golden brown, then slice and serve immediately.

This simple and delicious Italian pizza recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser for parties or a family cooking night at home. Try it tonight at your house. You’ll be transported to Tuscany at first bite. Buon appetito!