How to make a Pizza at Home

When my sons were younger, I used to make pizza regularly at home using the recipe below. A friend told me about this method and I found it to be inexpensive as well as quick and easy with tasty results. Because this is very easy to make, you can let your young children help or even do must of the preparation under your supervision. This can be fun for them and a good opportunity for you to both spend time with them as well as teach them some basic cooking skills. I did this with my children and we had a great time - they also learned how to cook for themselves which has come in handy now that they are beginning to move out on their own.

All of the ingredients are available at local grocery stores and can be easily stored until needed. Because pepperoni pizza was the favorite of both of my sons, that became our basic homemade type of pizza. However, on occasion when I had friends over, I would substitute or add other ingredients such as olives, green pepper and/or onion. Any other favorite toppings could also be substituted for pepperoni in the recipe.

Ingredients:

1 loaf of frozen bread dough - this can be found in the frozen foods section of grocery stores and usually comes in packages of 3 to 5 loaves which are designed to be thawed and then placed into oven and baked into a loaf of bread.

2 - 3 Eight-ounce cans of tomato sauce

Shredded mozzarella cheese (either buy it that way or purchase it as a block and shred it yourself.

Pepperoni (either pre-sliced or slice it yourself)

Dried oregano (optional)

Salt and pepper (if desired)

Utensils needed:

Shortening, Pam or other substance with which to grease the pan to keep the pizza from sticking to the pan.

Rolling pin to roll out the dough.

Clean, hard, flat surface on which to roll out the dough.

Circular, flat pan on which to place the pizza to bake.

Pizza cutter or sharp knife with which to slice the pizza when it comes out of the oven.

1.Thaw loaf of bread - I usually did this by setting the frozen loaf on a plate on the counter and covered it with a paper towel or clean dish towel before leaving for work in the morning. When I got home the dough was completely thawed.

2.Pre-heat oven to 360 degrees

3.Roll dough into a ball.

4.Dust a section of a clean, hard surface (kitchen counter top, table, etc.) with flour. Dust ball of dough and rolling pin with flour as well

5.Roll out bread dough until it forms a thin, flat circular shape. You will also have to use your hands to stretch dough as well as roll it with the rolling pin. Continue flattening until dough is between 14 and 16 inches in diameter (a smaller circle will result in a thicker crust).

6.Grease a round pizza pan with vegetable shortening or other non-stick product like Pam and place rolled out dough on the pan.

7.Place pan with dough in oven for about 5 minutes until dough becomes golden brown (the smaller the diameter of your crust - and thicker the crust - the longer you will have to allow it to bake). Check it while baking it and use a knife to poke and deflate any large air bubbles that form. Partially baking the crust in this manner will allow it to firm up and prevent the tomato sauce from soaking into it which will result in a soggy crust.

8.Remove pan from oven.

9.For a cheesier pizza, you can sprinkle some of the grated cheese directly on the crust and then pour the two to three cans of tomato sauce on the crust. Evenly distribute the sauce with a spatula or spoon.

10.For extra flavor, sprinkle any seasonings you desire over the tomato sauce. I always preferred oregano, some pepper and a little salt but other seasonings can be used as well.

11.Sprinkle cheese liberally over the top.

12.Distribute other toppings evenly on the pizza (if you choose you can put these on first and then cover with the cheese or do as I prefer and put the cheese first, then the other toppings.

13.Place back in oven and cook until cheese is completely melted.

14.Remove from oven, cut and serve.

The result is homemade taste with very little work or preparation time.