Mike's Homemade Pizza

Recipe View Gather all your ingredients, ensuring they are fresh and ready to use.

Recipe View Make the Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water. Let it stand until it becomes creamy and frothy, approximately 10 minutes.

Recipe View In a large bowl, combine the flour, shortening, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

Recipe View Lightly oil a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in volume, approximately 45 minutes.

Recipe View Meanwhile, prepare the Sauce: Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Recipe View Stir in the tomato paste, water, salt, sugar, oregano, garlic powder, basil, marjoram, cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Recipe View Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Recipe View Divide the risen dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half into a 12-inch circle. Place each circle onto a 12-inch pizza pan.

Recipe View Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough, then sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Recipe View Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly, approximately 20 minutes.