Take your homemade pizza game to new heights with Thick Crust Pizza Shells OAMC (Once-a-Month Cooking), a recipe designed for convenience and versatility without sacrificing flavor. This easy-to-follow dough recipe yields four hearty, thick crusts perfect for any pizza lover seeking a chewy yet crisp foundation for their favorite toppings. Made with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and olive oil, these pizza shells are par-baked for optimal texture and can be stored in the freezer for up to three months, making them ideal for meal prep. Whether hosting a pizza night or craving a quick dinner, simply pull a crust from the freezer, add your favorite toppings, and bake to golden perfection. With minimal prep and maximum payoff, this recipe is perfect for busy households and pizza enthusiasts alike!
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Stir until dissolved, then add the active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
In a separate large bowl, combine all-purpose flour and salt.
Slowly add the frothy yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Lightly grease a large bowl with non-stick cooking spray and transfer the dough into the bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Once risen, punch down the dough to release air bubbles. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions for individual pizza shells or keep it whole for larger pizzas.
Roll out each portion to your desired thickness and shape. For a thick crust, aim for about 1/2 inch thickness.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the rolled-out dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a pizza stone.
Bake the pizza shell without toppings for 7-10 minutes to par-bake it. This step helps ensure a crisp bottom when reheated later.
Allow the shells to cool completely if planning to freeze. Wrap each shell tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To use frozen pizza shells, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the shells from the freezer, add your preferred toppings, and bake for 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the toppings are bubbly.
Serving size | 1376.3 grams (1376.3g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 2781 |
Total Fat 8.10g | 10% |
Saturated Fat 1.10g | 6% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g | |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 4743mg | 206% |
Total Carbohydrate 581.80g | 212% |
Dietary Fiber 23.40g | 84% |
Total Sugars 26.70g | |
Protein 81.70g | 163% |
Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
Calcium 104mg | 8% |
Iron 34mg | 190% |
Potassium 1153mg | 25% |
Source of Calories