Making homemade pizza from scratch is a culinary adventure that rewards you with unparalleled flavor and satisfaction. When you create your own dough and toppings, you have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a healthier, fresher, and more delicious pizza. The process of kneading dough, spreading sauce, and adding toppings is therapeutic and allows you to tailor every pizza to your taste. From the crispy, chewy crust to the perfect blend of cheeses and toppings, homemade pizza offers a superior quality that store-bought or delivery options can’t match. While traditional tomato sauce is a staple on many pizzas, using a white sauce as the base introduces a rich, creamy dimension that elevates your pizza to gourmet status. White sauce, typically made from a blend of butter, flour, milk, and seasonings, creates a luscious canvas for your toppings. It pairs beautifully with cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan, enhancing their flavors and adding depth to every bite. Additionally, white sauce is versatile and complements a variety of toppings, from sautéed spinach and artichokes to grilled chicken and fresh herbs. Switching to a white sauce base can transform your pizza into a luxurious, indulgent treat that surprises and delights the palate.
Ingredients and substitutes
Flour: I love a combination of all-purpose flour and bread flour for the dough. But, 00 flour gives a more traditional Italian texture, and whole wheat flour works for a heartier, denser crust.. Yeast: Instant yeast speeds up the process, but active dry yeast can also be used. Olive Oil: Adds richness to the dough and the pizza. Canola oil or melted butter can be substitutes. Mozzarella Cheese: Essential for its meltability. Provolone or fontina can be used as alternatives. Parmesan Cheese: Provides a sharp, nutty flavor. Pecorino Romano can be used as an alternative. Garlic: Enhances flavor. Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is unavailable.
Step-by-step: White pizza recipe
Overnight dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add warm water and olive oil, stirring until a rough dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured work surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise overnight in the refrigerator.
Make the white sauce: Melt the butter and oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Next, add the grated cheese, salt, white pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Oven – Preheat the oven with a pizza stone to 425°F/220°C/Gas Mark 6 for at least 30 minutes.
Divide: Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 or 3 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and let them rest for 10 minutes. On a floured surface, roll out each dough ball into a thin circle, about 10-12 inches in diameter.
Assemble: On a lightly floured surface, stretch the pizza dough to your desired thickness. Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or baking sheet. Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle minced garlic evenly over it. Spread the white sauce over the dough. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese evenly, then top with grated parmesan cheese. Add optional toppings like spinach, artichokes, and fresh basil if desired. Bake: Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven or pizza stone. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh herbs, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of olive oil. Slice and enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
Creative variations
Spinach and Artichoke White Pizza: Add sautéed spinach and artichoke hearts for a veggie-packed option. Chicken Alfredo Pizza: Top with grilled chicken and a drizzle of alfredo sauce. Truffle White Pizza: Drizzle with truffle oil and sprinkle with truffle salt for a gourmet touch. Four Cheese White Pizza: Use a combination of mozzarella, gorgonzola, fontina, and ricotta. Mushroom and Thyme White Pizza: Add sautéed mushrooms and fresh thyme for an earthy flavor.
Classic Margherita Pizza – classic tomato and cheese. 3 Cheese pizza – three kinds of cheese. Hawaiian pizza – pineapple and ham Red pesto pizza – roasted red pepper sauce
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