Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Shape and parcook the pizza crusts. You can do this up to one day in advance, and before guests arrive.
- If using a pizza stone, place it on your grill or in your oven. Preheat the grill on high or the oven to 450℉.
- Cut each pound of dough into two equal pieces and shape each into a ball. Roll or press each ball into a circle using a rolling pin or your hands. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes and roll again. You can also stretch the dough using your fists until you have 10" rounds that do not shrink back.
- If baking on a sheet pan or pizza pan: Sprinkle the pan with semolina flour and place the crust on top. Bake for 2-3 minutes, until the exterior of the crust no longer looks raw and doughy.
- If baking on a pizza stone: Sprinkle a pizza peel generously with semolina flour and place the crust on top. Shake the peel to ensure the crust slides smoothly. Add more semolina flour underneath if any parts stick.
- Slide each crust onto your pizza stone. Close the grill lid or oven door and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the exterior of the crust no longer feels doughy.
- Stack the parcooked crusts on a plate with parchment paper in between each layer. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the toppings. Pick your family's and guests' favorite toppings. Cook any raw meats in advance, slice or dice fresh toppings, and drain jarred toppings. Store them in baggies, small bowls, or in snackle boxes in the refrigerator.
- Set up an assembly line before pizza time. Arrange ingredients in the order they will be needed: plates, parcooked crusts, olive oil and salt (with a pastry brush), sauces, cheeses, and toppings. Remind everyone to brush the edges of their crust with olive oil and sprinkle with salt before adding toppings.
- Preheat the pizza stone on the grill on high heat or your oven to 450 degrees again.
- Start by assembling kids' pizzas and any shareable pizzas. Then, let other diners assemble their own.
- Transfer each pizza onto the pizza stone (or onto a baking sheet for the oven). Close the grill cover or oven door and bake for 7-10 minutes on the grill or 12-14 minutes in the oven. The cheese should be melted and the crust golden brown.
- Cut pizzas into slices and enjoy!
Notes
This guide is designed for families and beginner cooks. It encourages involving children in the kitchen and offers flexibility for different tastes and dietary needs. The personal story highlights the joy of creating family traditions through simple, accessible recipes.