How to Make Thin Crust Pizza from Ciao Pittsburgh

There are few things in life better than a great piece of pizza. Whether you like a crispy and petite slice or something a bit heavier, the right slice hits home differently for each of us. Rather than a debate on who has the best pizza in the ‘Burgh, grab an apron and turn on your oven. You’re going to make some homemade pizza!

Making pizza on your own isn’t that difficult. Good pizza ALWAYS begins with the crust. If that’s off, no matter how fresh the toppings are, the taste won’t be as good as it could be.

All you need are some simple ingredients for the dough. The basic ingredients for a good-quality dough are flour, water, yeast, and salt. The ratio of these ingredients varies from one recipe to another, but the basic ideas stay the same: about 3 cups of flour should contain 1 ¼ tsp of yeast and 1/2 tbsp of salt.

Fortunately, our friends from Ciao Pittsburgh, an online Italian-American publication, have plenty of great recipes that are easy enough for beginners. Below are Ciao Pittsburgh’s founder, Jack’s, instructions on how to make homemade pizza crusts which you can add any toppings to for your next homecooked meal.

Thin Crust Pizza

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water
• 1 1/4 tsp yeast
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Directions

Please note: we used a Kitchen Aid mixer.

1. Place yeast in a cup of warm water and mix well. 
2. After about 3 to 5 minutes add the yeast to the mixing bowl. 
3. Now add sugar and salt.
4. Add 1-1/2 cups of flour and turn on mixer to level 1. Mix for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Add the rest of the flour and oil.
6. Turn the mixer on level 2 and let the mixer do the work for about 6 to 8 minutes. You may have to scrape the sides from time to time to make sure the flour/dough isn’t sticking.
7. Let the dough rise for several hours. You can use the dough the day after you make it to get the best results.
8. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
9. Add your favorite toppings and sprinkle some Italian seasoning after you add your sauce.
10. Cook pizza for about 8 minutes or until desired.

Nothing beats homemade pizza, and after you make it yourself, you can see how easy it is. You may never buy frozen pizza or order delivery again! Let’s see your creation… share it with us in the comments below or on the YaJagoff social media pages.

Mangia! Mangia! Amici!