Miss Lorena's Homemade Thick Crust Italian Pizza

Get ready to indulge in pizza perfection with Miss Lorena's Homemade Thick Crust Italian Pizza—a comforting classic elevated with an irresistibly soft yet sturdy crust. This recipe combines simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and olive oil to create a rich, golden base that’s thick enough to hold all your favorite toppings while remaining delightfully airy. A generous spread of tangy pizza sauce is layered with gooey mozzarella, nutty Parmesan, and optional extras like savory pepperoni and earthy mushrooms, all finished with a hint of oregano for authentic Italian flair. Perfectly baked in just 20 minutes, this dish is ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings. Garnish with fresh basil for a fragrant touch, and you’ll have a pizzeria-inspired masterpiece right at home!

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1.25 cups Warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil (for dough)
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil (for greasing)
• 1 cup Pizza sauce
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups Grated Parmesan cheese
• 20 pieces Pepperoni slices (optional)
• 0.5 cup Sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well to ensure even distribution.

Step 2

Add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms, then knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.

Step 3

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm area for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and lightly grease a 12-inch round pizza pan or baking sheet with olive oil.

Step 5

Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a 12-inch circle (or to fit your pan). Transfer the dough to the prepared pan, pressing it slightly up the edges to form a thick crust.

Step 6

Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges for the crust.

Step 7

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 8

Add your desired toppings, such as pepperoni slices and mushrooms, then sprinkle the dried oregano over the top for an extra touch of Italian flavor.

Step 9

Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Step 10

Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil, if desired, before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1981.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5810.1

Total Fat 369.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 142.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 700.6mg	0%
Sodium 16263.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 397.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.2g	0%
Total Sugars 32.2g
Protein 226.8g	0%

Vitamin D 11.8IU	0%
Calcium 2416.0mg	0%
Iron 31.8mg	0%
Potassium 3354.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.1%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 27.3%