Perfecting the Italian Pizza: A Beginner’s Guide to Making Authentic Pizza at Home

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked pizza wafting through your kitchen. The crispy, chewy crust, the rich tomato sauce, the melty cheese, and the simple, fresh toppings come together to create one of the world’s most beloved dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, making pizza at home can be both fun and rewarding. At YEG Cooking Classes, we’re passionate about Italian cuisine, and there's no better way to start your Italian cooking journey than by mastering the art of the authentic Italian pizza. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to make your own delicious pizza from scratch—no fancy equipment or professional skills required!

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked pizza wafting through your kitchen. The crispy, chewy crust, the rich tomato sauce, the melty cheese, and the simple, fresh toppings come together to create one of the world’s most beloved dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, making pizza at home can be both fun and rewarding.

At YEG Cooking Classes, we’re passionate about Italian cuisine, and there’s no better way to start your Italian cooking journey than by mastering the art of the authentic Italian pizza. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to make your own delicious pizza from scratch—no fancy equipment or professional skills required!

1. Start with the Dough: The Heart of Your Pizza

The key to a great pizza begins with the dough. Italian pizza dough is simple but requires a little patience to get it just right. While some pizza recipes can take hours to rise, this version can be made in under 90 minutes, making it perfect for a fun evening of cooking at home.

Ingredients for the dough:

  • 500g all-purpose flour (preferably Italian “00” flour for a finer texture)
  • 1 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 325 ml warm water (not too hot, just warm to the touch)
  • 1 tsp sugar (to activate the yeast)

 

Instructions:

  1. Activate the yeast: In a bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This means your yeast is ready to go!
  2. Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Slowly add the yeast mixture and olive oil, mixing until a dough starts to form.
  3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
  4. Let it rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

 

Pro Tip: Don’t rush the dough’s rise. It’s this process that helps develop the texture of the crust. If you’re in a hurry, you can use a faster, no-rise dough recipe, but the flavour will be better if you give it time.

2. The Tomato Sauce: Keep it Simple

The best Italian pizza sauce is simple, fresh, and flavourful. Traditional pizza sauce doesn’t need to be cooked or have too many ingredients—just fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and a few herbs are all you need.

Ingredients for the sauce:

  • 1 can (400g) whole tomatoes (San Marzano are preferred)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp dried oregano or fresh basil (optional)

 

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the tomatoes: Drain the canned tomatoes and crush them with your hands or a fork in a bowl.
  2. Cook the sauce: In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, and herbs. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes to bring out the flavours.
  3. Cool and spread: Once the sauce has cooled, spread it over the pizza dough with a spoon. Be sure not to add too much sauce—just a thin, even layer is best.

3. The Cheese: Choose the Right Variety

For an authentic pizza, you want to go with high-quality mozzarella cheese. The most common choices are mozzarella di bufala (buffalo mozzarella) or fior di latte (cow’s milk mozzarella). Both provide the perfect texture and melt beautifully.

Pro Tip: For an even better result, try to tear your mozzarella into small pieces instead of using pre-grated cheese. This will give your pizza a more authentic, rustic look and ensure that the cheese melts evenly.

4. Assembling the Pizza

Once your dough has risen, it’s time to put everything together. Keep in mind that Italian pizzas are typically thin-crust and simple. This allows the flavours to shine without overwhelming the palate.

Instructions for assembling:

  1. Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven as hot as it will go (ideally around 250°C or 500°F). A pizza stone is ideal, but a baking sheet will work too.
  2. Shape the dough: On a lightly floured surface, gently stretch or roll out your dough into a thin circle, about 10 inches in diameter. Be sure to leave a small border for the crust.
  3. Add the sauce: Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving the edges clear for the crust.
  4. Top with cheese: Add the mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
  5. Optional toppings: If you want to get creative, add your favourite toppings! Classic options include fresh basil, thinly sliced prosciutto, or olives. But remember—less is more when it comes to pizza. Keep it simple to stay true to the Italian tradition.

5. Bake the Pizza: The Finishing Touch

Once your pizza is assembled, it’s time to bake! The key here is a super hot oven, which will give your crust that signature crispy texture.

Instructions for baking:

  1. Bake at a high temperature: If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats. Transfer your pizza to the stone or baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
  2. Add finishing touches: Once your pizza is out of the oven, add a few fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

6. Serve and Enjoy!

Let your pizza cool for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade creation with a glass of wine or a refreshing Italian soda. There’s no better feeling than sitting down to enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Ready to Master Pizza Making? Join Our Italian Cooking Classes at YEGCC!

Making authentic Italian pizza at home doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right ingredients, a little practice, and some patience, you can create a delicious, homemade pizza that rivals what you’d find in a traditional pizzeria.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the world of Italian cooking and learn more tips and tricks, why not join us at YEGCC? Our hands-on cooking classes offer expert guidance to help you perfect your skills, whether you’re just getting started with pizza or looking to explore more of Italy’s culinary delights.

learn more
back to blog

Related Posts

Perfecting the Italian Pizza: A Beginner’s Guide to Making Authentic Pizza at Home

read more
Facebook Instagram Youtube Linkedin
follow us

10665 109 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5H 3B5
780.474.6466

yegcookingclasses@sorrentinos.com

sign up for YEG cooking class the newsletter
subscribe
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.