Grandma Pie Is the Vintage Pizza Recipe
Grandma Pie is a classic vintage pizza known for its airy, crispy crust and simple yet flavorful toppings. Featuring a homemade yeast dough baked to perfection, topped with a rich San Marzano tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and fresh basil, this recipe captures the essence of traditional Italian home cooking.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings (about 12-inch x 16-inch rectangular pizza) 1x
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dough Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active. Then, add the flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix everything together until a dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and set it in a warm spot. Allow it to rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. This step is essential to develop the dough’s airy texture.
- Make the Sauce: While the dough is rising, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the crushed San Marzano tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 15 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven now to heat up. A hot oven is key for achieving a crispy pizza crust.
- Shape the Pizza: After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it out into a rectangular shape about ½ inch thick. Place the dough onto a greased baking sheet or preheated pizza stone.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread a generous layer of the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Add optional toppings such as red pepper flakes and grated Parmesan cheese as desired.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The cheese should bubble and turn golden brown, and the crust edges should be crisp while the center stays soft and flavorful.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before slicing into squares. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Grandma Pie!
Notes
- For best flavor, use high-quality crushed San Marzano tomatoes in the sauce.
- If you prefer a thinner crust, roll the dough out thinner than ½ inch.
- You can customize toppings with olives, sliced onions, or your favorite pizza vegetables.
- Letting the dough rise in a warm spot helps activate the yeast faster.
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier bottom crust.
- Store leftover pizza in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of the pizza)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Grandma pie, vintage pizza, Italian pizza, homemade pizza, rectangular pizza, San Marzano pizza sauce, crispy crust pizza