How to Make Authentic Italian Pizza

                                                                                                                                   How to Make Authentic Italian Pizza

Pizza is a delicious and popular food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of toppings, and it can be cooked in a variety of ways.

While there are many different ways to make pizza, there is one way that is considered to be the most authentic: the Italian way. Italian pizza is made with a simple dough of flour, water, yeast, and salt. It is then topped with a variety of fresh ingredients, such as tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, and olive oil.

If you want to make authentic Italian pizza at home, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients:

                                                                                             For the dough 

1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing the bowl
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the surface
                                                                   For the sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the toppings:

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
                                                                                    Instructions 

                                                                               Make the dough 

In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy.
Stir in the olive oil, salt, and 2 cups of the flour. Stir until a dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
                                                                                Make the sauce 

While the dough is rising, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add the onion and garlic and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until softened.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
                                                                             Assemble the pizza 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Punch down the dough and divide it in half.
Roll out each half of the dough into a 12-inch circle.
Place the dough circles on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Spread the sauce over the dough circles, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.
Sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
                                                                                                                 Tips 

For a crispier crust, preheat a baking sheet in the oven while it is preheating. Then, place the pizza on the hot baking sheet before baking.
If you don't have a pizza baking stone, you can bake the pizza on a regular baking sheet. Just be sure to preheat the baking sheet in the oven for a few minutes before adding the pizza.
If you want to add more toppings to your pizza, feel free to do so! Some popular toppings include pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and olives.
Be sure to let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will help prevent the cheese from falling off.
Enjoy!