I am far from an expert (or pizzaiola), but there are a few tips and tricks I stumbled upon during my adventures in homemade pizza making that I wish I'd known beforehand. What follows is a running list of pizza basics, including essential and nice-to-have supplies (equipment and pantry items), techniques that have helped me streamline the process, and video demos. I suppose you could call it a kitchen notebook of sorts. As I learn more and experiment with different recipes and toppings, I'll transcribe my notes here—at least the ones that aren't too obscured by sauce splatters.*
Got questions about the pizza-making process? Click here to check out my FAQ page, where you'll find detailed answers to basic pizza queries, plus troubleshooting tips for the most common pizza-making bloopers.
MUST-HAVE EQUIPMENT
- Baking stone or steel or heavy duty baking sheet(s)
- Box grater
- Large cutting board
- Giant bowl with lid (for mixing and proofing dough)
- Dough whisk (for mixing dough by hand)
- Pizza cutter (Click here for my YouTube video about choosing the right pizza cutter for you)
- Pizza peel (if you're using a pizza stone or steel)
- Oil stopper/pourer (for drizzling olive oil on dough and over finished pizzas)
NICE-TO-HAVE EQUIPMENT
- Food processor
- Stand Mixer
- Mortar and pestle
- Outdoor pizza oven (Yes, there are affordable options now! I am a brand ambassador for Ooni Pizza Ovens, and I truly recommend their products, which range in price from $275 to $600.)
PANTRY ITEMS TO KEEP ON HAND
- Good-tasting crushed tomatoes (28-ounce cans) — I prefer Jersey Fresh
- Whole peeled tomatoes (28-ounce cans)
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Fine sea salt
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Jarred pizza sauce (for when you're too busy to make homemade marinara)
- Bread flour
- Instant or rapid-rise dry yeast (Jar or ¼-ounce envelopes)
- Fresh garlic
- Onions
- Dried herbs and spices (basil, oregano, Italian seasoning blend, herbes de Provence, crushed red pepper flakes)
TECHNIQUE TIPS & DEMOS
- Pizza FAQ: What is a pizza peel, and how do you use one? [VIDEO]
- How to Use a Pizza Oven (Wood-Fired or Propane)
- Creepy Halloween Spider Web Pizza
- TNP's Simple White Pizza Recipe with Heavy Cream
- TNP's Easy Pizza Recipe + VIDEO (including dough, sauce, and toppings)
- How to Choose the Best Pizza Dough Recipe
- How to Make Homemade Frozen Pizza [VIDEO + RECIPE]
- How to Make Garlic Knots with Pizza Dough [RECIPE + VIDEO]
- How to Make Cast Iron Skillet Pizza [VIDEO]
- Healthy Pizza Toppings for Kids [VIDEO]
- Pizza FAQ: What's the Best Pizza Pan for Baking in a Home Oven? [VIDEO]
- Gifts for Pizza Makers (and people who love pizza)
- New Pizza Baking Surface Alert: the BakePlate by VanEsch Cookware
- The Official TNP Pizza Music Playlist
- How to Make Pizza with Kids: A Personal Pizza Recipe Kids can Master (Mostly) on Their Own
- Video: How to Cook Pizza on a Baking Stone or Steel
- Pizza FAQ: Can You Freeze Pizza Dough?
- Make-Your-Own Pizza Bar
- [New Video!] Making Pizza with Kids
- Farewell to my first pizza kitchen (plus, my favorite pizza recipes created there)
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