Easy Pizza Recipes

Once you master the art of this easy dough, pizza's sure to become a regular on your family menu. These simple recipes give perfect results every time, whether you like your pizza thick or thin. For a quicker version, purchase pre-made pizza bases or use pita or flat bread as a base. For mini pizzas use English muffins sliced in half and topped with your favorite pizza topping.

EASY PIZZA DOUGH

• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon onion salt
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 7g sachet dried yeast
• ¼ cup oil
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 2/3 cups plain flour
• 1 egg, beaten

1. Preheat the oven to a moderate 350F (180C). Lightly grease one or two 12 inch (30cm) pizza trays with oil. Combine sugar, onion salt, garlic, yeast, oil and warm water in a bowl. Add flour and mix to a dough. Knead dough for 5 minutes.

2. Roll the dough into a circle, about 12 inches (30cm). For thin bases, roll dough into 2 x 12 inch (30cm) circles. Transfer to the tray ore trays. To form a thick crust, turn the edges of the base under. Glaze with a beaten egg, top as desired and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden.

HAM AND PINEAPPLE PIZZA

Spread prepared pizza base with pizza sauce. For kids, use ½ cup of tomato sauce. Drain a can of pineapple pieces. Chop a few ham steaks or four rashers of bacon, dice a red capsicum. Top the prepared pizza base with pineapple pieces, prepared ham, chopped red capsicum and 1 cup of grated cheese. Sprinkle toping with 1 teaspoon of mixed dried herbs of 1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano, then bake for 30-35 minutes or until crust is well browned and cheese is melted.

SALAMI AND OLIVE PIZZA

Place an 8oz (250g) jar of sun-dried tomatoes in oil in a food processor, add 1 teaspoon garlic and process to a spread. If necessary, add a little more oil. Spread over prepared pizza base, top with chopped salami of your choice, 1 cup of grated tasty or parmesan cheese, and scatter the top with black olives. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

CHILI BEEF PIZZA

Cook 7oz (200g) beef mince in oil, and then add ½ cup tomato pasta sauce and 1 teaspoon each of chili powder, dried coriander and cumin. Spread prepared pizza base with pizza sauce. Top with cooked mince and sprinkle with ½ cup of grated tasty cheese. Bake for 30-35 minutes, and then top with sour cream and avocado before serving.