If you're like most people, you probably don't love making your pizza dough. It can be confusing and time-consuming, not to mention that it can often be a bit of a disaster. But if you're looking to up your pizza game, bagged pizza dough is the way to go.

First, prepare a plastic bag. Add olive oil and water to the bag. Knead for 5 minutes until the dough is firm but not sticky. Leave it for 10 to 20 minutes or an hour.

While the dough is waiting, coat your hands or a cast iron skillet in olive oil. Once the dough has rested, press it into your prepared pan and cook until the desired thickness.

Bagged pizza dough is a convenient option to avoid making your dough because it already includes all the ingredients needed to make a pizza. 

However - this isn't all of it. There's so much more to know about using bagged pizza dough, and Pizza Bien's here to guide you through it! Without any further ado, let's start.

How to Use Packaged Pizza Dough

Bagged pizza dough is a quick and easy way to make pizza perfect for busy nights. This dough is prepped in a bowl, so you need to mix it, shape it into a ball, and let it rest before using it to make your pizza.

Whenever you buy a pizza dough package, make sure you follow a few basic instructions to get the best results. If you want to jump straight into buying a pizza that comes with everything included, try authentic Margherita pizza right from the comfort of your own home!

Below, you'll find step-by-step instructions to use bagged pizza dough properly.

Pre-baking Pizza Dough

When you make a delicious homemade pizza at home, preparing the pizza dough in advance rather than immediately before baking it is best. This will reduce the amount of time required for the baking process. 

Once the dough is partially baked, you can assemble the toppings and the base. Once the base has been baked, the cooking time will be cut half. To make pizza bases easily, here are some tips:

The dough should be as wet as possible but still be workable. When the dough is too dry, you can add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the proper consistency. But keep in mind that the wetter the dough, the stickier it will be and harder to work with. A good ratio is about 65% water to total flour. For more information on the percentages, read this article.

Properly Portion Leftover Dough Before Storing

Rather than re-making the dough for every single pizza you have planned, you should consider making more. By doing this, you will not only be able to save dough, but you will also have more options when it comes to creating your pizzas.

Before storing the leftover dough, it is good to portion it and shape it into individual balls for easy use. If possible, keep the pizza dough in an airtight container for 24 hours.

To store leftover pizza dough, first oil the container. You can also cover the dough with plastic wrap. Once you've portioned the dough, place the dough in the freezer. 

If the dough is not refrigerated properly, it can develop a freezer burn, which will affect the flavor of the finished product. If you don't want to deal with freezer burn, simply take the dough out 30 minutes before baking.

Avoiding too Many Toppings on Pizza

When using packaged pizza dough, you need to be careful when choosing what toppings to add. Too many toppings can make the pizza heavy and cause uneven cooking. 

In addition, the more toppings you put on your pizza, the longer it takes to cook. This results in burnt or undercooked toppings. To avoid this, you should stick to toppings low in oil. For example, you can use less olive oil if using nduja.

Another thing to remember when choosing toppings for pizza is not to add too much cheese. A heavy hand on the cheese will make the pizza hard to flip over and may make it soggy. Use just enough cheese to cover the sauce and avoid overcrowding the pizza. 

In general, it is best to avoid too much cheese and instead use less cheese than the package specifies. By doing this, you will create a tasty pizza without splurging on high-calorie pizza.

Tips for Working With Store-Bought Pizza Dough

If you've never worked with store-bought pizza dough before, you may be wondering if you can still make good-quality pizzas. After all, these doughs are very convenient. 

Here are some tips to ensure that you can roll them out as thinly as possible. 

Easy Way to Make Great-tasting Pizza

Buying pizza dough at a local store may be a convenient option, but the process of making a delicious pie isn't complicated. Store-bought authentic Italian pizza dough can be stretched to the desired size by pressing it gently between your palms. 

You can use as much olive oil as you like and sprinkle it with salt or pepper before baking. Then, simply add a thin layer of mozzarella and fresh basil leaves and bake it for about 10 minutes.

First, bring the dough to room temperature, and then stretch it out on a floured surface. When the dough reaches room temperature, it stays expanded and is easier to top with toppings. 

This process will take a few hours, so make sure to cover the dough if needed, but don't hurry. You can also place a sheet pan on top of a butcher's block or a counter. Before forming the dough, pinch the sides together and lightly dust them with flour.

Adding Sauce and Toppings

Store-bought pizza dough is easy to find anywhere. Look for it in the refrigerated section, near the premade goods. It is also available at your local pizzeria, bakeries, and Italian specialty stores. 

Some stores even have special pizza dough seasoned with herbs. If you'd like to try making your homemade pizza dough, here are some tips.

First, you'll need to prepare your dough for cooking. Start by spreading some olive oil on it. You don't want the dough to be soggy, as this will cause the toppings to slide off. 

You also need to keep an eye on it and cook it until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. When adding sauce and toppings to store-bought pizza dough, it's essential to ensure that you don't overcook it.

Rolling Out the Thin Dough

Roll out a thin pizza dough if you want a crispy pizza crust. You can use the 'DJ Deck' technique. Put your hands flat on the dough disc, and rotate them while pulling them away. The dough will be much easier to work with if you pull in opposite directions while rotating it. This technique also prevents lumps from forming in the base.

If you're working with store-bought dough, you can try a few methods. First, stretch the dough with your hands. This is an easy way to stretch out the dough and keep it from shrinking back. 

Roll the dough out until it's about 12-14 inches in diameter. Beginners typically under-stretch the dough. A good dough should stretch out thin without breaking.

Adjusting Ingredients

Whether you make your pizza dough from scratch or buy a ready-made one, you should consider adjusting ingredients when using store-bought dough. 

Using store-bought dough will ensure that the pizza has an authentic yeast flavor while avoiding the hassle of making it yourself. 

It'll give you the perfect crispy/chewy texture, with bubbles appearing where they should be. In addition, the final product will be comparable to the flatbread pizzas sold at high-end restaurants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we hope this article will help you use bagged pizza dough more effectively and efficiently. By following the tips and tricks provided, you will be able to create delicious pizzas in no time at all! So why not give it a try? 

You may be surprised at how easy it is to get great results! And when you order the best-bagged pizza in the town, you can avoid all other hassles that come along! Therefore, till the next time, stay with Pizza Bien and happy feasting!

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