Description
This Cheesy Basil & Garlic Pizza recipe features a homemade, soft and airy pizza dough infused with subtle garlic flavor, topped generously with a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, fresh garlic, and aromatic basil leaves. Baked to a crispy golden crust, this pizza serves 3-4 people and combines classic Italian flavors for a delicious, comforting meal perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 and 1/3 cups (320ml) warm water (at about 110°F)
- 2 and 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 3 and 1/2 cups (440g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Topping Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups (150g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Other
- Cornmeal (for sprinkling on the baking pan)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, and salt to create an even base for the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix thoroughly to start forming the dough.
- Knead the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten structure.
- Let Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the pizza.
- Prepare Baking Surface: Sprinkle cornmeal on a baking sheet or pizza stone to prevent sticking and help achieve a crispy crust.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a floured surface. Roll out into a 12-14 inch diameter circle or your preferred pizza shape.
- Transfer Dough to Baking Surface: Move the rolled dough onto the prepared baking sheet or pizza stone, ready for toppings.
- Add Garlic: Evenly scatter the minced garlic cloves across the dough for an aromatic and flavorful base.
- First Cheese Layer: Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the dough.
- Add Basil: Tear fresh basil leaves and scatter them over the cheese to infuse the pizza with fresh herbal notes.
- Second Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly on top of the basil leaves.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned.
- Cool: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes to set the toppings and make slicing easier.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and optionally drizzle a little olive oil on top for extra richness before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm but not hot (about 110°F) to properly activate yeast without killing it.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for best results.
- Using a pizza stone, if available, helps achieve a crispier crust.
- Fresh basil can be added before or after baking for different flavor effects.
- Store leftover pizza in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.
