Description
This Cheesy Basil & Garlic Pizza recipe features a homemade, airy pizza dough topped with a flavorful blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, fresh basil leaves, and minced garlic. Perfectly baked to a golden crust with gooey cheese, this pizza combines aromatic herbs and rich cheese for a delightful homemade pizza experience.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 1 and 1/3 cups (320ml) warm water (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
For the Topping
- 1 and 1/2 cups (150g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves (about 10-15 leaves)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Other
- Cornmeal for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes until foamy to activate the yeast.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, and salt to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry mix, pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil, then stir to form a rough dough.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic, indicating proper gluten development.
- Allow Dough to Rise: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 475°F (245°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Baking Surface: Sprinkle cornmeal on a baking sheet or pizza stone to prevent sticking and create a crispy crust.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough, roll out on a floured surface into a 12-14 inch diameter circle, then transfer it to the prepared baking surface.
- Add Garlic: Evenly scatter minced garlic cloves over the rolled-out dough for aromatic depth.
- Add Cheese and Basil – First Layer: Distribute half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the dough, then scatter torn fresh basil leaves on top.
- Add Cheese – Second Layer: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly, ensuring good cheese coverage.
- Bake the Pizza: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
- Cool the Pizza: Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes to set the toppings.
- Garnish and Serve: Add extra fresh basil leaves on top and optionally drizzle a bit of olive oil before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure water is warm (around 110°F) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Kneading the dough sufficiently develops gluten, giving the crust its chewy texture.
- Using cornmeal on the baking surface prevents sticking and adds a delightful crunch to the crust bottom.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier crust.
- Adjust amount of garlic according to your taste preference.
- If you don’t have fresh basil, dried basil can be used but fresh is recommended for vibrant flavor.
- Letting the pizza rest after baking helps the cheese set and makes slicing easier.
