AMAZING ARTISAN PIZZA MADE WITH STORE-BOUGHT DOUGH
Many of you have requested this and now that I’ve mastered it, there’s no keeping a secret any longer. While I love making incredible pizza dough from scratch, you might be surprised to learn you can find quality store-bought pizza dough in store and it will allow you to create a delicious home-style pizza that is more delicious than you might expect.
It might not be the usual neapolitan dough we all know and love but it will allow you to savor the authentic flavors of Italy using simple ingredients, a great bottle of wine, and some of your favorite music.
Watch the Pizza made with Store-Bought Dough video recipe:
How to Make Amazing Pizza with STORE BOUGHT PIZZA DOUGH
Vincenzo’s Plate Tips
Test Your Favorite Doughs
The more you make this recipe at home, the more you’ll realize that every store-bought pizza dough is different. That’s why I recommend trying as many doughs as possible to figure out which option works best for you – don’t just buy one, you might end up disappointed! I tried quite a few and they definitely were not all up to the standard I hoped for…but when I found one that was, it made all the difference.
Let The Dough Rest
Even store-bought pizza isn’t ready to be baked straight out of the package. Instead, let your dough rest in a container for at least 4 hours before baking. You can also leave it out when you go to work, and when you get home will be te right time to bake your pizza dough.
Cook The Pizza In 2 Stages
In this recipe, we use a technique called par-baking, which means cooking the bottom of the pizza first. This will allow you to have a nice, crispy pizza crust without accidentally burning any of your favorite toppings.
Avoid the Edges
If you want a truly restaurant-style pizza, avoid the edges of your dough during the preparation and baking process. This will give the crust of your pizza the slightly raised appearance of an authentic Italian pizza.
How To Serve The Pizza
Stop serving take out pizza to your guests and being disappointed. This version requires such little prep and ypu can serve it for one or many, right out of the oven!
At-Home Artisan Pizza
Equipment
- Pizza tray
- Baking Paper
- Small container
Ingredients
- Store-bought pizza dough
- Peeled tomatoes
- Fior di latte Mozzarella cheese or Buffalo
- Small bunch Fresh Basil
- Semolina As much as required
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil EVOO. As much as required
- Salt As much as required
Instructions
To Prepare The Dough
- Pour some EVOO into a small container and spread it around until it's evenly coated.
- Sprinkle semolina onto your working surface then remove the dough from its packaging and knead the pizza ball until it’s nice and smooth on the surface.
- Place the dough into the container. Seal it and let the dough rest at room temperature for at least 4 hours.
To Prepare The Toppings:
- Cut mozzarella into circles, then long, thin strips, approx 1cm in width.
- Place the strips in a small bowl and squeeze out as much liquid as possible (discard liquid).
- Place your peeled tomatoes in a small bowl and crush them with your hands.
To Bake The Pizza:
- Stage 1:
- Once the pizza dough has rested, preheat your oven to its hottest setting.
- Spread a thin layer of semolina on the bench/working surface.
- Place the dough on the semolina and begin stretching it to your desired shape without pressing the edges.
- Put the stretched-out pizza dough on a sheet of baking paper and sprinkle salt on top.
- Pour a few tablespoons of crushed tomatoes on the pizza, spreading it out with the base of the spoon.
- Bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 2 - 4 minutes.
- Remove your pizza and turn the oven off.
- Stage 2:
- Turn the grill/broiler on to its highest setting.
- While waiting for it to warm up, place a few pieces of fresh basil on the pizza then add mozzarella strips and top with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- Place the pizza under the broiler and cook until the cheese begins to melt.
- Once you see that the cheese is melted, turn the pizza around and cook for a few more minutes, making sure it is cooked evenly all the way around.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool.
Video
E ora si mangia, Vincenzo’s Plate….Enjoy!
Do you want to challenge yourself and try to make pizza at home?
I suggest you two pizza recipes, they are completely different from each other because one is the classic Neapolitan style pizza, while the other is a type of Roman pizza. It’s up to you to decide which one you prefer!
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Hi!
My oven doesn’t have these fancy settings…grilled/broiler. How’s the best way to make this? Thank you very much!
No problem! Just preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can go. Pop in your pizza on the middle rack. Check it after 8-10 mins—once the crust looks golden and the cheese is melty, you’re all set!