Classic American Pizza (New York Style)

  • Total time - 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Prep time - 15 minutes
  • Rising time - 2 hours
  • Baking time - 10-12 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: United States
A classic American pepperoni pizza with a golden, cheesy crust

Making great pizza at home starts with the dough. This recipe uses a straightforward dough that's easy to handle and develops a fantastic flavor and texture. The sauce is uncooked, which preserves the fresh taste of the tomatoes, and the mozzarella melts beautifully without releasing too much water. Baking the pizza at a very high temperature is crucial for achieving that characteristic crispy bottom and puffy, leopard-spotted cornicione (rim). While a pizza stone is great for this, a preheated baking sheet works perfectly well to get that classic New York-style slice.

Ingredients

For the Pizza Dough

  • 3.5 cups bread flour
  • 1.5 cups warm water (around 43°C/110°F)
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Sauce and Toppings

  • 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • pepperoni, sliced (optional)
  • olive oil (for drizzling)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Pizza Dough

In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar and yeast in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.

Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce and Preheat the Oven

While the dough is rising, prepare the sauce by mixing the crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.

Place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet on a rack in the lower third of your oven. Preheat the oven to its highest temperature, typically around 250°C (500°F). Let it preheat for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Pizza

Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal balls. On a lightly floured surface, stretch one ball of dough into a 14-inch circle, leaving a slightly thicker rim around the edge. Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or a piece of parchment paper dusted with cornmeal.

Spread half of the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving the rim untouched. Top with half of the mozzarella cheese and your desired toppings, such as pepperoni.

Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned in spots.

Remove the pizza from the oven, drizzle with a little olive oil, slice, and serve immediately. Repeat with the second dough ball.