SUPER Easy Pizza Dough

I have been selling this pizza dough on Fridays for a friend. She is a raving fan. My family never complains on pizza night neither. This recipe is pretty darn simple too. No fancy seasonings, it looks pretty, and tastes like dough from Papa Murphys. (in my opinion). Pizza is a great dinner to just let the kids create. My Ben loves to spread the sauce, make pictures out of pepperoni, sprinkle the cheese... He loves it! This dough also freezes pretty well too.

Easy Pizza Dough





1/2 cup warm water


1 envelope (2 1/4) tsp) instant yeast


1 1/4 cup water at room temperature


2 Tab. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (as Rachel Ray would say "EVOO"


4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting


1 1/2 tsp. salt





Measure the warm water into a 2 cup liquid measuring cup. Sprinkle in the yeast and let stand till it is bubbly. (About 5 minutes). Add the rest of the water, (room temp) and the olive oil to the big measuring cup and stir.

Place the flour and salt in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Briefly combine the dry ingredients at low speed and slowly add the water/oil/ yeast mixture. Switch the attachments...that is...put on dough hook. Knead until the dough is smooth and well mixed. Form the dough into a ball, put it in a deep oiled bowl and cover. Let rise in a warm place for up to 2 hours until it is double in size.

To bake, place your pizza stone in the oven while it preheats. Heat oven to 500 degrees. I don't have a pizza stone and just use a pizza pan...it works just fine. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide dough in two. This makes enough for two big pizzas. Cover two dough balls and let them rest on work surface for about ten minutes but no longer than 30.

Working with one piece of dough, form it into your pizza circle. I form mine right on the pan. (Spray your pan or dust with flour) Top as desired. Bake till golden brown 8 to 12 minutes. Make second pizza or freeze that ball of dough for next time!