The best pizza crust recipe with toppings ideas

napili farmers market pizza

Everybody likes pizza and, although it might not be the most healthy dish in the world, it doesn't have to be unhealthy either. If you prepare the crust and the marinara at home, you take a big step towards a healthier version of the big favorite.
We, at the Napili Farmers Market, think that vegetarian diet is better for the human body (and for the world too) so we only use vegetarian toppings and ingredients. Make your list and grab your ingredients on your next visit at the best farmers market on the West Side of Maui! 🍕  🍕

Here's our favorite pizza crust recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction:
Ingredients:

  • 2 and 1/4 teaspoons yeast
  • 1 and 1/3 cups warm water
  • 3 and 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  1. In a large mixing bowl combine the yeast and warm water. Stir then let sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy and dissolved. Add flour, olive oil, salt, and sugar. Mix well using your hands.
  2. When mixed, knead for 5-10 minutes by hand. If your dough is too wet, add a little more flour to it, no more than 1/4 cup each time, though! After kneading, your dough should be smooth and elastic. 
  3. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a large mixing bowl that you've coated lightly with olive oil. Turn it over to coat all sides or use a brush to oil it evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm environment.
  4. Depending on the type of yeast, your dough will have doubled in size in about 1 - 2 hours. Punch the dough down to release the air.
  5. Split the dough into two. Roll each half into a ball and let rest in two separate bowls lightly covered for 15 minutes. This crust freezes super well, so you can just cover your dough lightly with oil and place it in a freezer bag, or wrap it in plastic wrap.
  6. Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Oil a baking sheet with olive oil. You can line the sheet with aluminum foil as well but we do not recommend to use parchment paper. 
  7. About the toppings: you can really use ANYTHING. Bell peppers, olives, mushroom, cheese, broccoli, jalapeno, eggplant, zucchini, tomato, pineapple, arugula, spinach, herbs, onion, artichoke, tofu, squash, corn and the list goes on. Just pick about 5 and prepare them.
  8. After 15 minutes, flatten your ball of dough on a lightly floured surface to the desired shape or you can press it onto your baking sheet as well.
  9. Top with marinara sauce of your choice (recipe below!) and with your favorite toppings and bake for about 30 minutes but keep a close eye on it. Depending on your oven, your toppings and how thin you flattened the crust, it might take less or more time for your pizza to be done.
  10. Slice hot pizza and serve immediately.
     

And then a super easy and customizable, homemade marinara sauce recipe:
Ingredients (for one big pizza):

  • olive oil
  • 3-4 big tomatoes, chopped
  • one medium onion, chopped
  • 5-6 cloves of garlic, minced
  • oregano and basil
  • chili flakes or fresh jalapeno
  • salt and pepper
  • any fresh herb, chopped
  1. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, add chopped onions and sauté until translucent then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  2. Add chopped tomatoes, oregano, basil, chili flakes or chopped fresh jalapeno (to taste:)), salt and pepper, stir well, cover and cook over medium heat until everything is soft.
  3. Taste it, if necessary, adjust seasoning and add your fresh herb. We like to use cilantro, basil, parsley, even arugula. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and blend until required consistency. 
  4. Voila!

The other day we made a killer pizza with this crust and marinara and topped it with chopped leak, bell peppers and 3 cheese (brie, Parmesan and cheddar). Yum!