Homemade Pan Pizza

Ingredients

FOR THE DOUGH:

1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast

1¾ - 2 cups bread flour

¾ cup warm water (105-110 degrees)

1 tsp kosher salt

2 tsp olive oil

FOR THE PIZZA:

2-3 Tb olive oil

1 cup marinara or pizza sauce

2 cups whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded

various toppings of sliced vegetables and/or meats (like mushrooms, onions, peppers, black olives, artichokes, grilled chicken, pepperoni, pre-cooked meatballs and sausage, etc. Ham and pineapple too. Yummy!)

2 Tb fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Preparation

FOR THE DOUGH:

In a large bowl, stir together yeast, 1 tablespoon of flour, and ¼ cup of warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes or until mixture looks foamy. Stir in remaining water, salt, and olive oil. Add flour, ½ cup at a time, until dough pulls away from side of bowl.

Knead dough on light floured surface until it becomes a soft, smooth, and elastic ball of dough. Loosely cover bowl with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about an hour. Or can place in a covered container and let rise in the refrigerator overnight.

After the first rising of the dough or right after removing dough from refrigerated overnight rising, place 2-3 Tb olive oil in a 10 inch or 10½ inch cast iron pan and put dough ball in the pan. Lightly press dough down into the oil and spread it to the sides of pan. Cover with a cloth and let sit in a warm area for 2 hours.

FOR THE PIZZA:

Preheat oven to 550 degrees.

Lightly press down on dough in the pan to release any air bubbles that may have formed while rising and to push dough to edge of the pan. Spread sauce over top of dough to the edge of the pan. Top with cheese and desired amount of vegetable and/or meat items.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until bottom of crust is a golden brown and the cheese is fully melted and lightly brown.

Top with fresh chopped basil, if desired. Keep in the pan or remove to a cutting board and cut into 6-8 slices.

Enjoy!