Step 1: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy. This confirms your yeast is active.
Step 2: Add 5 cups of flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy, cohesive dough forms.
Step 3: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes, adding small amounts of flour if the dough is too sticky, until it is smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when gently poked.
Step 4: Lightly oil a clean large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 5: While the dough is rising, prepare the pizza sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and set aside.
Step 6: Grate all the cheeses (mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan) and mix them together in a separate bowl. Using freshly grated cheese will yield the best melt and flavor for your Cheese Pizza Recipe.
Step 7: Preheat your oven to its highest setting, typically 475-500°F (245-260°C). Place a pizza stone or baking steel in the oven while it preheats for at least 30-60 minutes to ensure it is thoroughly hot. If you don't have a stone/steel, preheat a heavy baking sheet.
Step 8: Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into two equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, take one portion and gently stretch or roll it out into a 12-14 inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick. Be careful not to tear the dough. Transfer the stretched dough to a piece of parchment paper or a lightly floured pizza peel.
Step 9: Spread half of the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edge for the crust. Sprinkle half of the mixed grated cheeses over the sauce.
Step 10: Carefully slide the pizza (with the parchment paper if using, or directly from the peel) onto the preheated pizza stone or baking steel in the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, the cheese is bubbly and melted, and the edges are slightly charred. Cooking times may vary depending on your oven.
Step 11: Remove the pizza from the oven using the peel or by carefully pulling the parchment paper. Let it cool on a cutting board for 2-3 minutes before slicing and serving. Repeat steps 8-11 for the second dough portion. Enjoy your homemade Cheese Pizza Recipe!