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Tavern-Style Sourdough Pizza Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours 27 minutes (including rising time)
  • Yield: 1 large pizza (2–3 servings)
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

This Tavern-Style Sourdough Pizza recipe yields a deliciously thin, crispy crust thanks to the natural fermentation of a sourdough starter. Topped with tangy pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and your choice of classic toppings, this pizza delivers a perfect balance of flavor and texture reminiscent of authentic tavern pizzeria pies. Ideal for 2 to 3 servings, it is made with simple ingredients and baked to golden perfection at a high temperature.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 1 cup active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly)
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup water (adjust as needed)

For the Toppings

  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce (or crushed San Marzano tomatoes with salt and olive oil)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
  • Optional toppings: pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, etc.

For Preparation

  • 1 tbsp cornmeal (for dusting the pan)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the active sourdough starter, all-purpose flour, salt, olive oil, and water. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
  2. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add a little more water or flour as needed to achieve the right consistency.
  3. Let Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for 4 to 6 hours, or alternatively overnight in the refrigerator for slower fermentation and improved flavor.
  4. Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 500°F (260°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside during the preheating to ensure a hot surface for baking.
  5. Shape the Dough: Roll out the risen dough very thinly, about 1/8 inch thick, on parchment paper or a floured surface. Shape it to fit your baking sheet or pizza pan, either round or rectangular.
  6. Prepare the Pan: Dust a baking sheet or pizza pan with cornmeal to prevent sticking and to help create a crispy crust. Transfer the rolled-out dough onto the pan carefully.
  7. Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread a thin, even layer of pizza sauce over the dough. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously on top, then add your chosen toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or peppers.
  8. Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 13 minutes. The crust should be golden and crispy, and the cheese bubbly with some light browning.
  9. Rest and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for 2 minutes before slicing. Serve hot for the best tavern-style crispness and enjoy!

Notes

  • Adjust water quantity as needed when making dough for the right texture—it should be tacky but not sticky.
  • Allowing the dough to rise overnight in the fridge enhances flavor and makes it easier to handle.
  • A pizza stone improves crust crispness but is optional; a baking sheet works fine as well.
  • Use low-moisture mozzarella to avoid excess water on your pizza.
  • Feel free to customize toppings to your preference, but don’t overload to keep crust crispy.
  • Preheat the oven fully to ensure the crust cooks quickly and crisps up.

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Find it online: https://speedyhomecooking.com/tavern-style-sourdough-pizza-recipe/