Ingredients (1 large pizza)

Dough

• 250 g fresh pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Semolina or flour (for dusting)

Sauce

• ½ cup crushed tomatoes (passata or blended canned tomatoes)
• 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of sugar (optional)
• ½ tsp dried oregano or Italian herbs
• Drizzle olive oil

Toppings

• 150 g grated mozzarella (low-moisture gives best melt)
• 8-10 slices pepperoni / salami
• Handful sliced black olives
• Fresh basil (after bake)
• Optional: chilli flakes, parmesan, honey drizzle

Equipment

• Square pizza steel (10 mm thick)
• Pizza peel or inverted baking tray
• Baking paper (for easy transfer)
• Oven set to max temperature (240–260°C if available)

Method

1. Preheat the Pizza Steel

1. Place the steel on the middle-to-upper oven rack.
2. Heat oven to full temperature and allow the steel to preheat 30-40 minutes.
3. This locks in intense heat for a crisp pizza base.

2. Prepare the Sauce

1. Mix crushed tomatoes, garlic, salt, herbs and olive oil.
2. Keep it simple so the base stays dry and cooks faster.

3. Stretch the Dough

1. Dust your bench with semolina or flour.
2. Gently stretch dough into a round (about 28–30 cm).
3. Leave the edges slightly thicker for airy crust.

4. Build the Pizza

1. Transfer dough onto baking paper.
2. Spread sauce thinly from centre outward.
3. Add cheese, pepperoni, olives.

Less topping = better rise and char.

5. Bake on the Steel

1. Slide pizza (with paper) onto the steel.
2. After 60 seconds, pull the paper out from underneath.
3. Bake a total of 5-7 minutes until:
   • Base is golden and firm
   • Cheese bubbling
   • Crust blistered at edges

6. Finish

1. Top with basil and a drizzle of olive oil.
2. Rest 1 minute, slice, serve.

Pro Tips for Pizza Steel Perfection

• For extra char, switch to grill mode for last 60 seconds.
• Too fast browning? Move rack down one level.
• Best dough hydration: 60-65% water.
• Brush steel lightly with oil after cooking to maintain seasoning.

Bonus Variations

Margherita

Tomato, mozzarella, basil

Hot Honey Pepperoni

Pepperoni + honey drizzle after bake

Veggie Supreme

Roasted capsicum, mushrooms, olives, onion

White Base

Ricotta, garlic oil, mozzarella, prosciutto post-bake

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