Restaurant Style Pizza in Your Kitchen

🍕 Restaurant Style Pizza in Your Kitchen

🧾 Ingredients

For the Dough (Makes 2 large pizzas)

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for better texture)

• 1 ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp sugar

• 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)

• 1 ¼ cups warm water (not hot)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Pizza Sauce

• 1 cup crushed tomatoes (or tomato puree)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp sugar

• ¼ tsp black pepper

Toppings (Customize as you like)

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• Pepperoni slices / cooked chicken / veggies

• Sliced onions, capsicum, mushrooms, olives

• Fresh basil (optional)

• Chili flakes & oregano for garnish

🥣 Step 1: Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.

2. Add warm water and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.

3. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

4. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise for 1–2 hours (until doubled in size).

👉 Pro tip: Slow fermentation (overnight in the fridge) gives that true restaurant flavor.

🍅 Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.

3. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, pepper, oregano, and basil.

4. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until slightly thick.

5. Let it cool before using.

🔥 Step 3: Preheat Like a Pro

• Preheat oven to 250°C (480°F) for at least 20–30 minutes

• If you have a pizza stone or steel, place it inside while heating

👉 High heat is KEY for restaurant-style crust

🍞 Step 4: Shape the Pizza

1. Punch down the dough and divide into 2 portions.

2. Roll or stretch into a thin circle (about 10–12 inches).

3. Keep edges slightly thicker for a crust.

🧀 Step 5: Assemble

1. Spread a thin layer of sauce

2. Add mozzarella cheese generously

3. Add your favorite toppings

4. Drizzle a little olive oil on top

🔥 Step 6: Bake

• Bake for 10–15 minutes or until:

  • Crust is golden brown

  • Cheese is melted and bubbly

👉 If using a stone: bake directly on it for best results

🌿 Step 7: Final Touch

• Sprinkle chili flakes & oregano

• Add fresh basil (optional)

• Slice and serve hot

💡 Pro Tips for True Restaurant Style

• Use bread flour for chewy crust

• Don’t overload toppings (keeps crust crispy)

• Bake at the highest temperature possible

• Use low-moisture mozzarella for that stretchy cheese pull

• Brush crust edges with garlic butter for extra flavor

🍽️ Serving Idea

Serve with:

• Garlic sauce or ranch

• Fresh salad

• Cold drink or lemonade