There are certain things that we all get used to buying without ever thinking we could make them from scratch. Pizza dough is definitely one of those things. The yeast…the kneading…the waiting…it’s not worth it and I probably don’t have the tools, or the time. This is false my friends! So very very false! Homemade pizza dough is not only simple, but fluffy, light and oh so delicious.
Chet and I make homemade pizza on a regular basis. By regular I mean every other week we stock up on toppings, rich cheeses and fresh herbs in preparation for a night of mouth watering italian gluttony. There are so many awesome flavor combinations you can pack into a pizza, but for me it’s all about the crust, and in my opinion, the thicker and fluffier, the better. Sometimes it’s all I eat from a pizza.
Cute story alert. When I used to work late nights at Whole Foods, my husband Chet would often save his pizza crusts in a tupperware for me to eat when I got home to keep me from getting hangry. This, my friends, is my love language. Give me your pizza crust and you have my heart.
The only thing that makes crust better are herbs, and rosemary is one of my favorites. It adds an unexpected freshness to desserts (add some into your next batch of chocolate chip cookies!) and fills your house with an overwhelming aroma of Thanksgiving that will have you looking for the pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes — too soon?
In this simple pizza dough, rosemary adds a nice savory bite that will pair perfectly with whatever you choose to adorn your pizza with, plus you’ll finally have a reason to rip a sprig off that rosemary tree your friend got you for your birthday. Thanks friend.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE STORE
If you’ve haven’t yet filled your pantry with the 12 Things You Should Be Buying in Bulk, then this is your chance to knock two of those item off your list; flour and sugar. Bring your largest bulk bags or bulk jars and fill ’em up with these everyday staples (but leave your cat at home).
Be sure to buy the yeast that comes in a jar and not the pre-packaged single packets to reduce your waste, or if you’re lucky buy it in bulk. You can also often find olive oil in your bulk aisle or at your Sunday Farmer’s Market.
Okay, now that you’re prepared, go shop so we can start cooking!
Simple Rosemary Pizza Dough
Serves 4
A light and fluffy pizza dough with rosemary.
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 min
Ingredients
- 1 packet active dry yeast (1/4 oz.)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for brushing
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
- 1 1/4 cup warm water
- 3 3/4 cups flour
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast into the warm water. Give it a quick whisk with a fork, then let it dissolve for about 5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl stir in the rosemary with the flour.
- Whisk in the sugar, salt and olive oil into the yeast mixture until it dissolves.
- Slowly add in the flour and mix with hands until combined.
- Make into a ball and brush with olive oil.
- Cover with a towel and set into a draft-free, warm spot for 1 hour until the dough has doubled in size.
- Punch the center of the dough until it deflates, then roll out onto baking sheet.
- Add desired sauce, toppings and cheese.
- Bake at 380 degrees for 20-25 minutes until dough is cooked through on the bottom and golden brown around the edges.
Notes
- This dough also makes for great breakfast pizza.
WASTE PRODUCED
Since most of these ingredients can be found in the bulk aisle, or you already had them on your shelf, your waste should be minimal, if not zero! A lot of you may have had yeast that comes in individual 1/4 oz. packets which will have to be thrown out since the packaging is made up of a combination of mixed materials. It’s okay, don’t beat yourself up about it, just look for bulk or the recyclable glass jar next time! To make yourself feel better look at what waste you saved…
WASTE SAVED
Many pre-packaged crusts come in non-recyclable plastic wrapping or plastic film. By making your dough from scratch, you’re preventing more of this silly plastic from going into the trash, and if you eat as much pizza as we do, you’re preventing a lot more waste than you think!
