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Mama mia! Rocco DiSpirito’s pizza recipes

Deep-dish or thin-crust? The chef reveals how you can make your own pie

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  Rocco DiSpirito’s pizza recipes
March 12: From the dough to the sauce, the celebrity chef shows how you can make this Italian favorite whether you like it deep-dish or thin-crust, and talks about “Top Chef.”

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TODAY
updated 11:14 a.m. ET March 12, 2008

Are you all about the deep-dish or the thin-crust? Either way, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito shares his pizza recipes as well as how you can make your own dough and sauce. So break out the flour and start making your own homemade pie.

Deep-dish pizza dough
Rocco DiSpirito

Makes dough for two 12-inch pizzas

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees F)
1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semolina flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil, plus extra for bowl
1 teaspoon salt

Recipe continues below ↓
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DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast, and sugar and stir to combine. Let sit until the mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes.

2. Add 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the semolina, 1/2 cup of the oil, and the salt, mixing by hand until it is all incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Continue adding the remaining 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup at a time, working the dough after each addition, until all the flour is incorporated but the dough is still slightly sticky. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth but still slightly tacky, about 5 minutes. Oil a large mixing bowl with enough oil to generously coat. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to oil all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warm, draft-free place until nearly doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Divide into 2 equal portions and use as directed.

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Thin-crust pizza dough
Rocco DiSpirito

Makes dough for two 12-inch pizzas

INGREDIENTS

1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine yeast, sugar and water in bowl and allow to rest and become foamy, about 6-8 minutes. Combine flour and salt in a separate bowl. Pour yeast mixture over flour mixture and mix well with hands. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 2 minutes. Divide dough in 2 equal parts and proceed as directed.

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Tomato garlic pizza sauce
Rocco DiSpirito

Makes enough for one deep-dish pizza and one thin-crust pizza

INGREDIENTS

2 2-pound, 3-ounce cans peeled whole plum tomatoes
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic
Salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS

1. Drain tomatoes and squeeze them of their juices. Chop tomatoes fine. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until very fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes to the pan and turn heat to low. Simmer sauce, stirring often, until most moisture has evaporated, about 15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Allow to cool before using

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