Pizza
Pizza is a cornerstone of Italian culture. It is much more than just food. It’s a true experience that brings people together. In Italy, pizza holds a special place in both daily life and festive occasions. It’s not only about satisfying hunger but also about celebrating tradition, creativity, and community.
After experimenting with countless recipes and dough techniques, I finally discovered my favorite recipe through the Anna TV YouTube channel. With a few tweaks gained through trial and error, I’ve refined her method into the recipe I now use regularly. It’s the best homemade pizza dough I’ve ever made: crispy on the outside, light and airy on the inside, and packed with flavor. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) this delicious pizza as much as I do.
As you can imagine, pizza is an essential part of Italian culinary culture. It goes beyond simply being a dish. It’s a social ritual. In Italy, some of the most common places where people gather to socialize are pizzerie and bars (coffee shops). Whether it’s a quick lunch, a casual dinner with friends, or a weekend outing with family, pizza plays a central role in connecting people.
Type of Pizza
Pizza comes in many varieties and flavors. It can be traditional, like the classic Margherita, or more modern and inventive, featuring unexpected combinations of ingredients. Nowadays, ordering a pizza at a pizzeria can feel like a challenge. In fact, you are often faced with a menu offering 20 to 30 different types! Some popular categories include:
- Pizze Classiche (classic pizzas like Margherita, Capricciosa, or Diavola)
- Pizze Bianche (white pizzas, made without tomato sauce)
- Calzoni (folded pizzas filled with traditional ingredients)
- Pizze Stagionali (seasonal pizzas made with ingredients available at specific times of the year, such as Radicchio Trevigiano in winter)
Types of Ingredients
In the end, whether you are making pizza at home or enjoying it in a cozy pizzeria, it remains one of the most beloved and versatile foods in the world.
The quality of the ingredients is essential in making a truly great pizza. One of the most important elements is the flour. Choosing the right flour depends not only on quality but also on personal taste and dietary needs. Options include Type 00 flour (very fine and soft, ideal for traditional Italian pizza), whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor, or gluten-free alternatives for those with dietary restrictions. Each type contributes to a different texture and flavor profile.
Easy Homemade Pizza
Course: PizzaCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Medium1
servings29
minutes10
minutesPizza is an essential part of Italian culture and cuisine—it’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience. I’ve experimented with various recipes and techniques for perfecting the dough rise, and so far, this method has given the best results.
Ingredients
360 g of water
600 g of flour
36 g of olive oil
25 g of active dry yeast (I use Caputo Lievito – Dry Yeast)
1 tbsp of salt
1 tbsp of honey
Directions
- In a mug, add 100 g of warm water (heated for 30 seconds in the microwave), then mix in 1 tbsp of honey and the dry yeast. Let the yeast activate for 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl (I use my KitchenAid bowl), add the flour, salt, and olive oil. Once the yeast is ready, add it to the bowl with the flour.
- Using a KitchenAid stand mixer with a dough hook, mix on speed 2 for 1 minute. Slowly add the remaining water. Once all the ingredients are well combined, increase to speed 6 and knead for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the dough attaches to the hook and cleans the sides of the bowl.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into smaller balls (about 200 g each). Place them in a container with high sides, cover with foil, and let them rest for at least 3-4 hours.
- Once ready (the dough balls should have doubled in size), take the first dough ball and use a rolling pin to shape your pizza base. Add your favorite toppings.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 450°F for about 5-7 minutes.