Pizza Dough and Sauce

Marg (CaymanDesigns)'s Note:

I make the dough with 1/2 white and 1/2 wheat flour. It gives the crust more substance and a better flavor. Even my kids and their cousins prefer it this way. I like using olive oil in both the crust and the sauce. Since we only eat one pizza for a meal, I have included two methods for freezing the second one, or you can freeze both for OAMC. NOTE: prep time does NOT include rise time.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

Pizza Dough

• 3/4 tablespoon yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 4 cups flour (we prefer half white, half wheat)

Pizza Sauce

• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup red wine or 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 -2 tablespoon parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water (I add a pinch of sugar) and allow to set until it begins to foam, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in salt, oil and half of flour. Gradually add remaining flour, mixing well.
3. Knead 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and let rise until double (1/2-1 hour) Punch down and let rise again until double. Punch down and divide. Pat out on two pizza pans.
4. Top with pizza sauce & toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
5. Pizza Sauce: Mix all ingredients together, blending well. (You can also add a few sprinkles of garlic powder if you want).
6. Makes enough for two 12- or14-inch pizzas or one thick 16-inch pizza.
7. Top with meats, cheese and other toppings.
8. To freeze, prepared pizza method: double wrap and freeze the prepared pizza (without baking it) on the pizza pan. Unwrap and bake the frozen pizza at 400°F for about 22 minutes.
9. Alternative freezing method: after first punch down of dough, divide dough and place in a zip-loc bag and place in the freezer. To prepare, remove from freezer and place in a greased bowl. The dough will take about 8-10 hours to thaw and raise slightly. Pat out on grease pizza pan and proceed as directed above. I also freeze half the sauce in a small container for future use.

Reviews

[Bobbin]

I have made this numerous times and we all love it. I also use the half white/half wheat combo; it is perfect. It is so much better than buying nasty frozen pizzas to feed your kids and it doesn't take that much effort to make your own dough. Who knew?!!? We love this and I thank you for posting. So no one else will have to do the math: 3/4 tbsp=2 1/4 tsp

[SeeDawson]

I have used this recipe for over a year and haven't reviewed it till now. It is wonderful! I have changed the cooking time a bit: 475 degree oven (my old oven is always kind of like, "Seriously?") for 8-12 minutes. Like other reviewers, I cook the dough without the toppings for 5 minutes to help with sogginess. Great recipe! This is one of my stand-bys.

[Magic Momma]

I am ONLY reviewing the SAUCE, I followed the recipe exactly. I used it for pizzas and the thick red canned tomato PASTE was all we could taste, we couldn't taste any of the seasoning. Sorry, I just can't give it more stars.