Easy recipe for basic pizza dough.  Recipe makes enough dough for two 14″ – 15″ pizzas.  Make ahead and freeze so you always have some on hand.

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Pizza Dough

Easy recipe for basic pizza dough. Make ahead and freeze so you always have some on hand.

Course Breads

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Rise Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings 2 14" Crusts

Author Christoph

Ingredients

• 4½ - 5 cups flour
• 1 package of instant dry yeast 2¼ teaspoons
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1¾ cup warm water - Not Hot! 85 - 90 degrees F
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil plus some for bowl

Instructions

• Put 2 cups of flour, yeast and salt into food processor and pulse 5 - 6 times to mix.
• Pour in water and pulse another 5 – 6 times.  Add olive oil and pulse.
• Add remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time pulsing to mix, scrape the sides of the bowl and continue to pulse until a ball forms.
• Turn dough out on to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, working the dough as little as possible. 
• Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn to coat all sides.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm location to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to an hour.
• Punch down dough and divide into 2 equal parts.  Each part will make about a 14″ pizza.
• Roll out dough to desired thickness and place on a corn meal dusted stone or parchment lined baking sheet. Top with ingredients and bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes or until crust is light brown.

Notes

If you are only making one pizza, you can freeze the other half. Place the dough in a freezer bag. When ready to use move dough to refrigerator a day ahead. Will thaw at room temperature in 3 - 4 hours.

Pizza dough is also fun to cook on the grill. Simply heat your grill on high, brush it clean, and lightly oil. Reduce the heat to medium. Roll out your dough to the desired size and thickness. Place the dough directly on the grill. Watch for bubbles to form, and for the edges to lightly brown. Turn the dough with a spatula or tongs, and grill until golden.