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Classic Homemade Gooey Cheese Pizza Recipe

Close-up of a thick slice of cheese pizza with gooey, melted cheese stretching as it's lifted.
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Make a classic, comforting cheese pizza from scratch with this straightforward recipe. You get a perfect, slightly crisp crust topped with a simple sauce and a blend of gooey, melted cheese for a family favorite pizza night.

Ingredients

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  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the bowl
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup simple pizza sauce recipe (canned crushed tomatoes, garlic powder, oregano, salt)
  • 1 1/2 cups low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded (best mozzarella for pizza)
  • 1/2 cup provolone cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Let this stand for 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy.
  2. Add the flour, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  4. Lightly oil a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
  6. Punch down the risen dough gently. Divide it in half if you want two smaller pizzas, or keep it whole for one large pizza.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the dough into your desired 12 to 14-inch circle shape. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled baking sheet or pizza peel dusted with cornmeal.
  8. Spread the simple pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
  9. Mix the shredded mozzarella and provolone cheeses together. Sprinkle the cheese blend evenly over the sauce. Top with the grated Parmesan cheese.
  10. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating halfway through, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  11. Remove the pizza from the oven. Let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving this gooey melted cheese pizza.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use low-moisture, whole-milk mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella holds too much water and can make your crust soggy.
  • If you want a crispier crust, bake the dough plain for 5 minutes before adding the sauce and cheese.
  • This recipe makes a great base for a Four Cheese Pizza Recipe; simply increase the amounts of the three cheeses listed and add a fourth cheese like Fontina or Gorgonzola.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://rosatasty.com/cheese-pizza-recipe-homemade-gooey-melt/