Authentic New York-style pizza isn’t exactly easy to find outside of the city. This recipe, however, exceeds expectations.
The overnight New York pizza dough is easy to make—and stretch!—and turns out crispy edges with the characteristic soft, foldable middle.
The sauce is amazing and so wicked easy to make. Seriously, it took all of a minute to whiz it up in a food processor. No cooking, no simmering, no fuss.
Cheese? Of course, there’s cheese. But none of that fresh coddled artisan mozzarella here. Classic New York-style pizza calls for one cheese and one cheese only: shredded mozz.
You can use store-bought dough if you don’t want to wait overnight to make the dough from scratch.
Why Our Testers Loved This
The testers went wild for this authentic New York pizza for several reasons. They loved that the dough came together “quickly and easily” and that the sauce had a “nice balance of flavors–not too acidic or sweet.”
Greg C. was amazed that it tasted just like the real deal and raved about the “crispy pizza crust, tangy sauce, and well-cooked, bubbly cheese.”
Notes on Ingredients
- Bread flour–The high protein content in bread flour allows it to stretch, which is critical when making a thin-crust pizza. Don’t substitute all-purpose flour, as it will be difficult to stretch the dough.
- Sugar–A little granulated sugar is added to the dough for a few reasons. It helps to activate the yeast and also promotes browning in the crust.
- Active dry yeast–To check if your yeast is active, place a teaspoonful in a cup of warm water with a pinch of sugar. Active yeast will bubble and foam after 5 to 10 minutes.
- Canned tomatoes–The pizza sauce used in this recipe lets the flavor of the tomatoes shine, so I recommend using the best quality tomatoes you can get, preferably San Marzano.
- Red pepper flakes–If you are sensitive to heat, you can omit the pepper flakes or only add a small pinch. If you love a little extra spice, you can use up to 1/2 teaspoon in the sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese–Use a block of low-moisture mozzarella for the pizza. Avoid fresh mozzarella, as it will be too wet, and don’t use pre-shredded cheese, as it does not melt well.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a food processor. Pulse until combined.
- Combine the ice water and 1 tablespoon of oil in a liquid measuring cup. With the processor running, pour the water into the feed tube.
- Run the processor until a ball of sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough until smooth. Plop it into a large bowl, cover it, and refrigerate overnight.
- To make the pizza sauce, combine the tomatoes, garlic, spices, and sugar in the bowl of the food processor.
- Process the pizza sauce until smooth.
- Divvy the dough into two pieces and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour. Place a pizza stone in the oven and heat the oven to 550°F for 1 hour. On a floured surface, use your hands to press the dough into an 8-inch circle.
- Drape the dough over your knuckles and let gravity stretch it to 14 inches in diameter. Place the dough on a peel dusted with semolina flour.
- Top the pizza with 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sauce.
- Scatter half the cheese over the pizza. Transfer to the oven and bake until the cheese is bubbling and browned. Repeat with the remaining pizza dough, sauce, and cheese.
Common Questions
The biggest difference between bread flour and all-purpose flour is simply a matter of protein. White and whole wheat bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose, usually 11 to 13%. The additional protein allows the pizza dough to be stretchier, which is critical in stretching the dough to a very thin round.
New York-style cheese pizza is known for its large thin slices. To avoid a floppy slice, skip the knife and fork and fold the slice of pizza in half lengthwise before devouring.
This iconic pizza is known for its thin chewy crust and minimal toppings. It’s typically sold by the slice, and eaten folded in half. Although this recipe calls for mozzarella only, it is often made with a blend of mozzarella and provolone.
Classic NY style pizza is typically topped only with cheese and occasionally pepperoni. But, of course, you can find all types of pizzas in the city. At home, you feel free to add toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, and onions or swap in a different type of meat like meatballs or sweet or hot Italian sausage.
Pro Tips
- If your tomato sauce is watery, strain it through a fine mesh sieve before using.
- If you want to use the dough several days after making it, make sure it’s tightly wrapped. It will continue to expand. Trust me when I say you don’t want escaped dough oozing into the nooks of your fridge.
- The pizza dough and tomato sauce can be frozen separately for up to 3 months. Wrap the dough in plastic and store it in a resealable bag, and keep the tomato sauce in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
- This recipe is suitable for vegetarian diets.
More great homemade pizza recipes
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If you make this recipe, or any dish on LC, consider leaving a review, a star rating, and your best photo in the comments below. I love hearing from you.–David
New York Style Pizza
Ingredients
For the pizza dough
- 16 ounces bread flour, about 3 3/4 cups, plus more for dusting
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups ice water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for the work surface and bowl
For the pizza sauce
- One (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, undrained
- 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
For the pizza
- 1/4 cup semolina flour
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 8 ounces low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella, or more, shredded
Instructions
Make the pizza dough
- In a large food processor, pulse together the bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast until well combined.
- In a liquid measuring cup, combine the ice water and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and, with the machine running, slowly drizzle the mixture in through the feed tube until a ball of sticky dough forms, 20 to 30 seconds.
- Move to an oiled work surface and knead until smooth, 2 to 4 minutes. Plop into an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight before using.
Make the pizza sauce
- In a food processor, combine the tomatoes and their juices, garlic, salt, oregano, red pepper flakes, basil, and sugar. Process until smooth.
☞ TESTER TIP: You’ll likely have a lot more pizza sauce than you need. Freeze any remaining sauce for up to 3 months and thaw the next time a pizza craving hits.
Assemble the pizza
- Divide the chilled dough into 2 equal pieces. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
- While the dough is resting, set an oven rack in the second highest position and place a pizza stone on it. Preheat the oven to 550°F (288°C) or the highest setting for 1 hour. Dust a pizza peel with half the semolina flour.
☞ TESTER TIP: If you don’t have a pizza peel, an overturned baking sheet will work nicely in its place. If you don’t have a pizza stone, you can assemble and cook the pizza on a heavy rimmed baking sheet.
- Generously dust a work surface with all-purpose flour and place one piece of the dough on top. Pressing gently with your fingertips, push the dough out to form an 8-inch (20-cm) round, leaving the edge slightly thicker.
- Pick up the round of dough and drape it over your knuckles, letting gravity stretch it. Pass the dough hand over hand until you have about a 14-inch (35-cm) round. Transfer the dough to the prepared pizza peel and reshape it into a circle, if necessary, leaving the edge slightly thicker.
- Depending on how saucy you like your pizza, ladle 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the pizza sauce onto the dough and spread until evenly coated, making sure to leave a 1/2-inch (12-mm) border exposed.
- Scatter half the mozzarella over the sauce. Slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone and bake until the crust is well browned and the cheese is bubbling and browned in spots, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Using the pizza peel, move the pie to a large cutting board or pizza pan.
- Repeat with the remaining dough, sauce, and cheese to make a second pizza.
- Slice each pizza into about 8 wedges and devour.
Notes
-
- Strain your sauce–If your tomato sauce is watery, strain it through a fine mesh sieve before using.
- Storing–Wrap the dough tightly if storing it in the fridge for more than overnight to prevent it from breaking through the plastic.
- Freezing–The pizza dough and tomato sauce can be frozen separately for up to 3 months. Wrap the dough in plastic and store it in a resealable bag, and keep the tomato sauce in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using
- Dietary–This recipe is suitable for vegetarian diets.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
I love making pizza at home, and I’ve struggled to find a dough that I enjoy but is also easy to make. The one I was using tastes pretty good but is very high maintenance, which I don’t find attractive in pizza dough.
This dough, however, comes together quickly and easily. It does need an overnight rest, but otherwise, it’s a snap. The rest period does make it so easy to handle that I can’t imagine skipping it. I loved how relaxed and elastic the dough was; it stretched out to a large, even size without tearing or shrinking up.
As well, the sauce is delicious! I ended up with 3 1/2 cups. I used about half and froze the rest. I’m hoping that it’ll still be as good. It has a nice balance of flavours—not too acidic or sweet.
I made the pizzas in a rectangular shape for two reasons. First, I’m not great at making decent-looking round pizza. I found it was easier to handle the dough this way.
Also, I don’t have a pizza stone, so, instead, I used my large, rectangular cast-iron pan. Essentially, I made a sheet-pan pizza. This worked exceptionally well, and my big, rectangular pizza fit perfectly. The pizzas were bubbly with golden cheese and a crisp, chewy crust.
Even though there wasn’t much left over, the two pieces I reheated this afternoon were still very satisfying. Honestly, aside from the overnight rest, this pizza comes together so quickly and easily that it’s all done before you know it.
We had four servings. However, I didn’t serve it with much else, so it might go further with a side salad.
I don’t know why, but I’m always surprised when a recipe I make comes out just like “store-bought,” and it happened again with this New York style pizza recipe.
The look and taste of this pie was bang-on just like any good slice I’ve had in New York City. (And I’ve had my share over the years!) Crispy crust, tangy sauce, and well-cooked, bubbly cheese.
It’s time-consuming—letting the dough rest overnight—but it’s so worth it if you have the time. I think I just replaced my go-to pizza recipe. Here’s the final proof: Two pizzas, three people: Devoured.
This is a great New York City pizza that includes a recipe for dough and sauce. The dough recipe came together quickly in the food processor. I hadn’t used a food processor to make dough before, but I will going forward.
The dough was well-flavored and easy to stretch. One problem for me is that my pizza peel only measures 12 inches, not 14 inches, as the recipe called for, so it did hang over the sides. The crust bakes up light, airy, and nicely browned.
The sauce recipe was also quick and easy, but a bit too spicy for my taste with 1/2 teaspoon of crushed pepper flakes. I used a can of Cento San Marzano whole tomatoes. Only 1 cup of sauce is needed for the pizzas, so you’ll definitely have leftovers.
Thank You!
By far your dough and sauce recipe has elevated My Pizza ….”Making and Loving It” to a whole new level.
Bread Machine — I use the 45min Dough Setting in my Zojurishi Bread Maker, remove when done for a full hour to rise — punch and rest another 10 mins — divide and finish making Pizza.
Stewed Tomatoes…….first time making the sauce I only has diced tomatoes on hand and loved the Sauce……corrected that next time, with stewed tomatoes, as called for by your recipe. I was blown away by how fresh and easy it was to make…… and gets better beginning the next day.
You’re welcome, Jan. That’s a fantastic looking pizza! We’re so glad you’re enjoying making this recipe and that it’s consistently turning out so well for you. It’s a family favorite at my home too.
Can I use the dough hook on a Kitchenaid mixer instead of a food processor?
Paul, we haven’t tried it this way but I think it should work. Use the dough hook to bring everything together and to knead just until it forms a smooth ball. You don’t want to overwork the dough.
That’s how I made it for the same reason, and it was perfect!!!!! I did adjust a smidge more oil and water to bring it together. I blended the dry ingredients first with the whisk attachment.
Thanks, Kimberly.
I get not substituting AP flour for the bread flour, but what about Tipo “00” flour? I thought I had read somewhere that this is the preferred flour for pizza dough (but I might have dreamed that).
Mary, traditionally 00 flour does work well for pizza dough. In this case, however, I don’t recommend it. Using bread flour gives you a high gluten dough which allows it to be incredibly stretchy so you can achieve that thin New York-style crust. All purpose and 00 flours both have lower gluten content so they won’t allow for that same elasticity in the dough.
Can you clarify what the semolina flour is for? Thanks a bunch! Very excited to try this recipe 🙂
Sam, the semolina flour is for dusting your pizza peel, which will make it easier to transfer the pizza from the peel to the oven. If you don’t want to use it, or don’t have a peel, you can assemble your pizza on a heavy baking sheet. Do let us know how it turns out!