Authentic Italian Pizza Dough

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Authentic Italian Pizza Dough.

1. Step 1

   Start by preheating your oven to its lowest setting.

2. Step 2

   In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine four cups of flour with two teaspoons of salt, then turn the mixer on to a low speed.

3. Step 3

   Next, crumble the yeast into small pieces and add it to the flour mixture.

4. Step 4

   Gradually pour in warm water while mixing, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the flour.

5. Step 5

   Continue mixing until the dough begins to pull away from the sides and forms a cohesive ball.

6. Step 6

   Now, drizzle in some olive oil and mix until it’s fully blended into the dough.

7. Step 7

   Knead the dough on low speed for about five to six minutes, adding one to two tablespoons of extra flour if the dough feels too sticky.

8. Step 8

   Once kneaded, remove the dough from the bowl and shape it into a ball.

9. Step 9

   Place it back in the bowl and score the top with an 'X' to help it rise.

10. Step 10

    Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and turn off the oven, placing the covered dough inside to rise for at least one hour, or up to eight hours if you have the time.

11. Step 11

    After the dough has risen, take it out of the oven and reattach the bowl to the stand mixer.

12. Step 12

    Uncover the dough and give it a gentle punch to release the air.

13. Step 13

    Knead it on low speed for another five minutes.

14. Step 14

    While you’re kneading, place a pizza stone or a baking tray on the bottom rack of your oven and preheat it to 450°F (230°C).

15. Step 15

    Once the dough is ready, divide it into four equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball, dusting with flour if necessary.

16. Step 16

    Arrange the balls on a sheet pan and cover them with a damp cloth.

17. Step 17

    Roll each ball out into a 9-inch circle and top with your favorite ingredients, making sure to use no more than one cup of sauce per pizza.

18. Step 18

    Now it’s time to bake! Carefully transfer one pizza to the preheated stone in the oven, then immediately lower the temperature to 410°F (210°C).

19. Step 19

    Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, keeping an eye on it to adjust the time based on your toppings.

20. Step 20

    Repeat this process for the remaining pizzas, and soon you’ll have a delicious homemade feast ready to enjoy!.