Buffet That Serves Pizza,as Well as Chicken

Let the Taste of Home Test Kitchen teach you how to make pizza dough from scratch—then start dreaming up your toppings.

Just learning how to make dough from scratch is enough to make your pizza the talk of the neighborhood. (It doesn't hurt to know a couple tricks from a pizza chef, either.) This make-ahead dough is extremely flexible. Use it to make pizza, of course, but also for egg pockets, stromboli and calzones.

How to Make Pizza Dough

Note: This recipe uses whole wheat flour, which provides extra flavor as well as added nutrition. It makes 3 pounds of dough, enough for 3 pizzas.

Ingredients

• 3 packages (1/4 ounce each) quick-rise yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2-1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 2-1/2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 to 3-1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Step 1: Prep the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, salt and whole wheat flour; set aside.

Step 2: Prep the Wet Ingredients

Kozak/Shutterstock In a small saucepan, heat water and oil to 120°-130°; stir into dry ingredients.

Then, stir in enough whole wheat flour to form a soft dough. (The dough will be sticky.)

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Kozak/Shutterstock

Turn the dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; shape into a ball. Fold top of dough toward you. With palms, push with a rolling motion away from you. Turn dough a quarter turn; repeat until dough is smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Add flour to surface only as needed.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Punch the Dough Down

Kozak/Shutterstock

To punch dough down, make a fist and push it into the center. Gather the dough to the center and shape into a ball. Place on a floured surface—and you're done!

You can use the dough immediately to make one of our best homemade pizza recipes. You can also refrigerate overnight or freeze for up to 1 month.

Bonus: Expert Tips from the Taste of Home Test Kitchen

• Make sure you use the type of yeast called for in your recipe. It's got to be quick-rise yeast for this pizza dough.
• Use a thermometer to check the temperature of your water. If it's too cool, it won't activate the yeast; if too hot, it may kill the yeast.
• Don't use too much flour. Always start with the minimum amount and add more only until the dough reaches the consistency indicated in the method.
• Use only enough flour on your work surface to keep the dough from sticking when kneading.
• Continue kneading until dough is no longer sticky, has a smooth, satiny texture and springs back when pressed with your fingers.

Use Your Dough to Make One of Our All-Time Best Pizzas

Homemade Pizza

Learning how to make pizza at home? This recipe is a hearty, zesty main dish with a crisp, golden crust. Feel free to use whatever toppings your family enjoys on this homemade pizza recipe. —Marianne Edwards, Lake Stevens, Washington Get Recipe

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza

This recipe combines my two favorite foods—pizza and chicken cordon bleu. I've made this for my family and the teachers at my school. Now the teachers ask me to make it for them for lunch! —Justin Rippel, Colgate, Wisconsin

Berry-Patch Brownie Pizza

I just love the combination of fruit, almonds and chocolate that makes this brownie so unique. The fruit lightens the chocolate a bit and makes it feel as though you are eating something sinfully healthy. —Sue Kauffman, Columbia City, Indiana

Refried Bean-Taco Pizza

I like to make pizza, and this one is my favorite. I use a ready-to-use pizza crust when time is tight. If you like taco salad, you'll love this. —Mary Detweiler, Middlefield, Ohio

Baked Potato Pizza

I make this creative baked potato pizza for Super Bowl parties. The sour cream, bacon, onions and cheese make every bite taste just like a loaded baked potato. —Gina Pierson, Centralia, Missouri

Bacon Breakfast Pizza

I used to make this bacon breakfast pizza for my morning drivers when I worked at a delivery place. And they just loved it. Breakfast pizza is a quick and easy eye-opener that appeals to all ages. —Cathy Shortall, Easton, Maryland

Saucy Thai Chicken Pizzas

Contributor Gigi Miller, from Stoughton, Wisconsin, provided a fabulous recipe for sweet and saucy chicken thighs that she serves with rice. We took it a step further, and used the chicken and sauce to make this restaurant-inspired Thai pizza. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Fast Philly Cheesesteak Pizza

Cheesesteaks and pizza are such favorites, I just had to combine them. We top a pizza crust with roast beef, cheese and veggies for a hand-held feast. —Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan

Makeover Fruit Pizza

There's nothing better than a guilt-free dessert, especially when it's topped with refreshing and colorful fruit. We skimmed the calories and fat from a traditional fruit pizza to create one with about half the calories, fat and cholesterol. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dill Pickle Hamburger Pizza

My husband's favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pizza with mayo and dill pickle juice topping. People who try it always laugh in surprise because it's so good. —Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Fans of spicy chicken wings will love this rendition that turns it into pizza. Serve it up with blue cheese dressing and crisp celery, just like the tasty original. —Shari DiGirolamo, Newton, Pennsylvania

Steak & Blue Cheese Pizza

When I have a little extra time to play with, I caramelize the onion in this recipe to add a different flavor. —Kadija Bridgewater, Deerfield Beach, Florida

Spinach and Artichoke Pizza

My from-scratch pizza has a whole wheat crust flavored with beer. Top it with spinach, artichoke hearts and tomatoes, then add chicken or ham and fresh basil if you want to include meat. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario

Love a crispy crust? Try this crazy crust pizza your next pizza night.

Thanksgiving Lover's Pizza

Got Thanksgiving Day leftovers? Forget ho-hum turkey sandwiches and try this unique take on pizza instead. Get creative with different variations: use whole berry or jelly cranberry sauce; add dollops of mashed potatoes on top; drizzle with turkey gravy; sprinkle with stuffing or dressing; or try unique pizza crust varieties. —Carla Parker, Anderson, South Carolina

Sunny-Side-Up Pizza

Preparing this recipe is the best way I know to make sure my family takes time for breakfast. I just call out "pizza's ready!" and amazingly everyone comes to the table. —Rose Koren, Brookfield, Illinois

Apple Crisp Pizza

While visiting a Wisconsin orchard, I tried a tempting apple crisp pie. At home, I put together this apple pizza. As it bakes, the enticing aroma fills my kitchen, and friends and family linger waiting for a sample. —Nancy Preussner, Delhi, Iowa

Greek-Style Pizza

Save yourself a trip to Greece and serve this appetizer pizza at your next party. To ensure a crisp and flaky crust, before assembling the pizza, drain the tomato slices on a paper towel to soak up any extra moisture. —Claire Torrice, Oswego, New York

Shrimp & Crab Pizza

When we were growing up, my mother made an amazing pizza with shrimp and crab. Now my kids ask for it, and the tradition continues. —Danielle Woodward, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Cranberry, Brie & Turkey Pizza

While traveling in New Zealand, my husband and I discovered turkey pizza. We came up with our own version for a creative way to use leftovers. —Kristin Stone, Little Elm, Texas

Chicken Caesar Pizza

Dressed greens on top of warm pizza may sound a little strange but trust me, it's fantastic. —Tracy Youngman, Post Falls, Idaho

Meatball Pizza

I always keep meatballs and pizza crusts in the freezer to make this specialty on the spur of the moment. Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious dinner. —Mary Humeniuk-Smith, Perry Hall, Maryland

Big Kahuna Pizza

A prebaked pizza crust and refrigerated barbecued pork make this tasty supper idea super fast and super easy. Cut into bite-sized pieces, and it can double as a great last-minute appetizer, too! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California

Spinach-Stuffed Pizza

I had my first stuffed pizza when I attended college near Chicago. I was amazed to see pizza well over an inch thick, with topping on the inside! When I served this version to my family, there are no leftovers. —Nancy Gilmour of Sumner, Iowa

Artichoke & Spinach Dip Pizza

When I'm making this pizza and I have garlic oil in my pantry, I swap it for regular oil. It adds a little something without overpowering the toppings. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon

Cheese Crust Pizza

String cheese is the secret to success for this popular stuffed-crust pizza. Prebaking the crust crust before you add the toppings assures that the cheese inside will melt completely.—Terri Gonzalez, Roswell, New Mexico

Chocolate Lover's Pizza

I created this after my dad said that my graham cracker crust should be topped with dark chocolate and pecans. It's easy to customize by adding your favorite chocolate and toppers. Dad thinks the whole world should know about this pizza! —Kathy Rairigh, Milford, Indiana

Speedy Hummus Pizza

What started as an appetizer is now one of my favorite Mediterranean meals. I make sure I always have the ingredients, so I can whip it up in a hot minute. I like to use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried ones when they're in season, and sometimes I throw in some chopped artichoke hearts, too. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland

Pepper Sausage Pizza

Fresh spinach gives this recipe a tasty twist. That leafy green plus yellow peppers, snow-white mushrooms and tomato sauce make this a colorful addition to your pizza buffet table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Deep-Dish Sausage Pizza

My grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband and me and our family. —Michele Madden, Washington Court House, Ohio

Grilled Sausage-Basil Pizzas

We love basil recipes, and these easy little pizzas are a wonderful change of pace from the classic cookout menu. Let everybody go crazy with the toppings. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

Grilled Fig and Honey Pizza

I had figs I needed to use up, so I made a batch of dough, tossed the figs on the grill and created a scrumptious dessert pizza. —Aaron Reynolds, Fox River Grove, Illinois

Chili Dog Pizza

My girls love it when I make this mash-up pizza with hot dogs and chili. It's a marvelous way to use up leftover chili. —Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri

Breadstick Pizza

Not only do refrigerated breadsticks lend a fun twist to pizza, but they make this dish a weeknight staple at my house. Feeding kids? Slice pieces into small strips and let the kids dip each strip into marinara sauce. They'll love it! —Mary Hankins, Kansas City, Missouri

BLT Pizza

I use a prebaked crust and fixings from the much-loved BLT sandwich to create this fun variation. It's my family's favorite pizza. —Marilyn Ruggles, Lees Summit, Missouri

Barbecued Chicken Pizzas

So fast and so easy with refrigerated pizza crust, these saucy, smoky pizzas make quick fans with their rustic, hot-off-the-grill flavor. They're perfect for impromptu cookouts and summer dinners on the patio. —Alicia Trevithick, Temecula, California

Buffet That Serves Pizza,as Well as Chicken

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-make-pizza-dough/

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