Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Shape and parcook the pizza crusts. You can do this up to one day in advance, and definitely before guests arrive. If you have one, place a pizza stone on your grill or in your oven. Preheat grill on high or oven to 450℉.
- Cut each pound of dough into two equal pieces and shape each into a ball. Roll or press each ball into a circle using a rolling pin or your hands. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes and roll again. You may also pick up the dough and stretch it from underneath with two fists. Repeat until you have 10" rounds that don't shrink back.
- If baking on a sheet pan or pizza pan: Sprinkle the pan with semolina flour and lay the crust on top. Bake for 2-3 minutes, until the exterior of the crust doesn't look raw and doughy anymore.
- If baking on a pizza stone: Sprinkle a pizza peel liberally with semolina flour and lay the crust on top. Give the pizza peel a shake and see if any parts stick. Pick up any sticking bits and add more semolina flour underneath until the crust slides smoothly.
- Slide each crust onto your pizza stone, close the grill lid or oven, and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the exterior of the crust doesn't feel doughy anymore. Stack parcooked crusts on a plate with sheets of parchment paper in between. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the toppings the morning of. Pick your family's and guests' favorite toppings, plus any that you will need for "specialty pizzas" you plan to make. Cook any raw meats in advance, slice or dice fresh toppings, and drain jarred toppings. Store them in baggies, small bowls, or in "snackle boxes" in the refrigerator.
- Set up an assembly line before pizza time. Arrange ingredients in the order they'll be needed: Empty plates, parcooked crusts, olive oil and salt (with pastry brush), sauces, cheese, and toppings. Remind people to brush the edges of their crust with olive oil and sprinkle with salt before adding their toppings.
- Assemble and cook the pizzas. Preheat the pizza stone on the grill on high heat or your oven to 450 degrees again. Start by putting together kids' pizzas and any shareable pizzas you plan to make, then let other diners assemble their own pizzas.
- Transfer each pizza onto the pizza stone (or onto a baking sheet for the oven), close the grill cover or oven door, and bake for 7-10 minutes on the grill or 12-14 minutes in the oven. The cheese should be melted and crust golden brown.
- Cut pizzas into slices and enjoy!
Notes
I fondly remember the first time I attempted to make pizza at home with my family. We gathered in the kitchen on a rainy Saturday, flour dusting our faces as we rolled out dough and debated which toppings to use. It was a delightful chaos, with everyone sharing laughs and experimenting with flavors. The result was a slightly uneven but utterly delicious pizza that tasted like victory. That day ignited my passion for cooking, transforming our rainy afternoon into a cherished family tradition of creativity and joy.