Welcome to the delicious world of Neapolitan pizza! If you’re a fan of this iconic Italian dish, then get ready to learn how to make your very own homemade version at home.
In this blog post, we delve into the secrets behind the authentic Neapolitan pizza recipe. From the airy, charred crust to the vibrant, tomato-based sauce and the creamy mozzarella topping, we’ll guide you through each step to achieve pizza perfection.
So put on your apron and let’s start rolling out that dough!
Key Ingredients For Neapolitan Pizza Recipe
The genuine Neapolitan pizza recipe hinges on a few high-quality key ingredients, let’s ensure you have all of them ready:
1. Neapolitan pizza dough, crafted for the perfect balance of crispness and chew
2. Fresh tomatoes for a rich and tangy pizza sauce, the heart of Neapolitan pizza flavor
3. Mozzarella cheese, to achieve that delightful, stringy melt that pizza dreams are made of
4. Basil leaves, for that quintessential Italian aroma and a touch of green
5. Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling on your creation to add a fragrant finishing touch
6. Sea salt, to bring out the flavors of all your fresh ingredients
Gathering these simple yet high-quality ingredients will set you up for success in making a truly traditional Neapolitan pizza.
How To Make Neapolitan Pizza?
Let’s embark on the culinary journey of crafting the quintessential Neapolitan pizza recipe that transports you straight to the streets of Naples.
Step 1: Prepare The Dough
Mix your dough ingredients according to the recipe, then knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Allow it to rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, which develops the flavors and airy structure characteristic of Neapolitan pizza crust.
Step 2: Preheat Your Oven
While your dough is rising, it’s crucial to get your oven hot and ready.
Place a pizza stone or steel in the oven and crank the temperature up to 500°F. If you’re using a pizza oven, get it fired up now.
A blazing-hot cooking surface will give your pizza that signature blistered crust and cook it evenly and quickly.
Step 3: Prepare The Pizza Sauce
Take the fresh tomatoes and blend them into a puree. Simmer the puree in a saucepan to intensify the flavor, then season with a pinch of salt.
Remember, the key is to keep it uncomplicated – high-quality tomatoes will shine through in the final product.
Step 4: Slice and Prepare The Cheese
Take your fresh mozzarella and slice it into ¼-inch thick pieces.
If your cheese is on the wetter side, place the slices on a paper towel for about 15 minutes. This step helps to remove excess moisture, which can make your pizza soggy.
Step 5: Assemble Your Pizza
Stretch the pizza dough out to form a large circle, then transfer it to a pizza peel dusted with semolina flour or cornmeal. Spread your homemade pizza sauce evenly across the dough, then distribute the mozzarella slices on top.
Remember, if your mozzarella isn’t pre-salted, sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt over the cheese.
Step 6: Bake The Pizza
Carefully slide the pizza from the peel onto the hot pizza stone. If using a standard oven, place the basil leaves on the pizza after baking to prevent them from charring.
In a pizza oven, you can add them before baking. Cook until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden and charred in spots, which takes about 7 minutes in a standard oven or roughly 1 minute in a pizza oven.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once cooked to perfection, remove the pizza from the oven, slice it into wedges, and enjoy immediately. Drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Your homemade Neapolitan pizza is now ready to serve and savor!
For Beginners
Essential Equipment For The Best Neapolitan Pizza
To create an authentic Neapolitan pizza, having the right equipment is just as important as using quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make a pizza that rivals those found in Naples’ best pizzerias:
1. Pizza stone or steel
2. Pizza peel
3. Dough scraper
4. Pizza cutter or sharp knife
5. Kitchen scale
6. Mixing bowls
7. Saucepan
8. Wood-fired pizza oven (optional)
Investing in these tools can greatly enhance your pizza-making experience, helping to turn your kitchen into a little slice of Naples.
Some Tips For Neapolitan Pizza Perfection
Here are some tips to ensure your Neapolitan pizza is truly exemplary:
1. Dough Hydration: Aim for a hydration level of 60-65% for the best balance of workability and moisture, which contributes to the crust’s chewiness and char.
2. Temperature Matters: Your oven needs to be as hot as possible, some aficionados recommend up to 905°F for an authentic experience. If you’re using a conventional oven, the highest setting will usually do the trick.
3. Use Your Hands: When shaping the dough, use your hands instead of a rolling pin to gently stretch the dough out. This method will preserve the air bubbles in the dough, giving the crust that classic Neapolitan puffiness.
4. Rotation: Rotate the pizza halfway through baking to ensure an even cook and a consistent char on the crust.
5. The Right Flour: Use ’00’ flour, which is finely ground and high in gluten, perfect for achieving the stretchy, tender dough that Neapolitan pizza is known for.
6. Salt the Water: Add salt to the water before mixing your dough to ensure it’s evenly distributed.
7. Rest the Dough: After shaping the balls, let your dough rest at room temperature for a couple of hours to relax the gluten, making it easier to shape.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to making an outstanding Neapolitan pizza that’s as close to the streets of Naples as you can get from your home kitchen.
Variations Of Pizza Recipe From Neapolitan
While the classic Neapolitan pizza is a revered tradition, there are countless variations that pizza aficionados have embraced around the world.
1. Margherita Con Bufala
An extravagant twist on the classic, this version uses creamy buffalo mozzarella for a richer taste.
2. Pizza Marinara
A great option for vegetarians and those who prefer simplicity, it omits cheese, focusing on the harmony between the garlic-infused tomato sauce and oregano.
3. Pizza Quattro Stagioni
Translating to ‘Four Seasons,’ this pizza is divided into four sections, each representing a different season and topped with corresponding seasonal ingredients.
4. Pizza Capricciosa
Literally ‘capricious pizza,’ this variety is topped with several ingredients like artichokes, ham, mushrooms, and olives, for a feast of flavors and textures.
5. Calzone
For those who enjoy their pizza folded, the calzone is a Neapolitan pizza turned over on itself, creating a pocket that is often filled with ricotta, mozzarella, ham, and other ingredients before being baked.
Conclusion
Crafting the quintessential Neapolitan pizza is an art form that marries tradition with personal flair. Each element, from the delicate char of the crust to the rich simplicity of the topping, coalesces into more than just a dish – it’s an experience.
With this Neapolitan pizza recipe in your culinary repertoire, you carry the legacy of Italian artisans into your very own kitchen. May each shared slice be a testament to the timeless appeal of Napoli’s finest export.
Buon appetito!
Homemade Neapolitan Pizza
Ingredients
- 500g '00' flour (about 4 cups)
- 325ml lukewarm water (about 1⅓ cups)
- 2g fresh yeast (about ½ teaspoon)
- 10g fine sea salt (about 2 teaspoons)
- 200g tomato sauce (about ¾ cup)
- 200g mozzarella cheese, sliced (about 7 ounces)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Semolina flour or cornmeal (for dusting)
- Kosher salt (if mozzarella isn't pre-salted)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the fresh yeast in lukewarm water. Add half of the '00' flour and mix until a sticky dough forms. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Incorporate fine sea salt and the remaining flour into the mixture. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it's smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
- Form the dough into a ball and place it back into the mixing bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, roughly 1.5 hours.
- Once the dough has risen, tip it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 4 equal parts. Shape each portion into a ball.
- Place the dough balls on a floured surface, well-spaced apart. Cover them with a damp cloth and let them rise for another hour.
- Hand stretch the dough balls into 12-inch pizza bases. Optionally use a dough scraper to help lift and shape the dough.
- Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over each base, leaving a small border around the edge. Distribute mozzarella slices evenly on top and sprinkle with kosher salt if needed.
- If using a conventional oven, preheat it to its highest temperature with the pizza stone inside for 1 hour. For each pizza, slide it onto the hot stone and bake until golden and crisp, about 7 minutes. If using a pizza oven, cook for about 1 minute, or until done.
- Once baked, drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil over each pizza and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Slice and serve immediately.