Mike's Homemade Pizza

With basic ingredients, it's easy to make homemade pizza dough and sauce. The recipe makes two 12-inch cheese pizzas and lets you pick the toppings!

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 174 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.125 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 cup chopped onion
• 0.75 cup water
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 0.125 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon white sugar
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (12 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Make the dough: Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water in a small bowl. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

Step 3

Combine flour, shortening, and salt in a large bowl; add yeast mixture and stir until dough comes together. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

Step 4

Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough into the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.

Step 5

Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, water, salt, sugar, oregano, garlic powder, basil, marjoram, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, and black pepper; simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 6

Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 12-inch circle. Place dough onto two 12-inch pizza pans; cover with sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until crusts are golden brown, about 20 minutes.