Homemade pizza dough may sound intimidating, but in reality, it can be extremely versatile. With pizza dough, it’s always better to get your hands dirty, because kneading the dough by hand will teach you to feel when it’s airy, fluffy, and ready. One batch of perfectly made master pizza dough can be transformed into many different shaped and styled pizzas which are so amazing that you won’t ever want takeout pizza again! Enjoying restaurant-quality pizza at home, freshly made in the comfort of your own kitchen, is now super easy. Try these super scrumptious pizza varieties that you can make from a single batch of master dough.
Neapolitan-Style Margherita Pizza
Nothing can beat the first blissful bite of a classic Naples pie! The simple toppings of crushed tomatoes, melted mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of good olive oil, yield surprisingly delicious results. To make its homemade rendition, you don’t need a pizza stone or any other type of fancy restaurant-style equipment. The combination of your master dough, the technique of shaping and assembling, and the super high heat of your oven are enough to deliver freshly baked Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza, right out of your kitchen.
Grandma Pie With Pepperoni and Pink Sauce
When it comes to comforting and delicious homemade food, grandma knows best! Grandma pies are no exception to this rule! Originated in New York, these savory pies can be easily made on a standard baking sheet. Made with the same versatile dough, this particular grandma pie pizza has a soft, fluffy, and tender crust, and classic toppings of crispy pepperoni coins, red onion rings, and melted mozzarella. The twist here is hidden in the pizza sauce, which contains a couple of tablespoons of heavy cream, making it almost pink in color and even richer in flavor.
Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza With Smoked Mozzarella
Deep dish pizza has a very loyal fan following. Many Chicago dwellers insist that this special pizza can’t be replicated outside their city. But you can challenge the original one with a homemade version of the deep dish pizza made with your master dough. The key, here, is to use a well butter-coated and cornmeal-dusted cast-iron skillet to make a richly flavored and crispier crust. Add seasoned diced tomatoes along with the tomato sauce to the filling. Last but not least, the salty sheep’s milk pecorino Romano and smoked mozzarella take the delicious pizza up a notch!
Detroit-Style Pizza With Sausage and Peppers
Thanks to Instagram, Detroit-style pizza is currently having a moment in the spotlight. Though similar to Grandma Pie in shape, with perfectly picture-worthy square slices, this type of pizza differs due to its extra-crispy crust. Made from a focaccia-like thick dough, just like the master dough we’ve been talking about, this pizza comes doused with rich tomato sauce and heaping cheese. This particular version tops everything off with a few highlighting extras like cheddar cheese, pickled banana peppers, and crispy sausage. To make it into an even more authentic, Detroit-style pizza, get some cheese in contact with the pizza pan to have that classic cheese-laced edge.