Neapolitan-Style Pizza with Bacon, Olives & Basil

How To Make Neapolitan-Style Pizza with Bacon, Olives & Basil

1. For the pizza Dough
2. Combine flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Add cold water and mix with your hands until a rough dough forms.
4. Cover and let the dough rest at room temperature to allow the flour to hydrate.
5. Every 30 minutes, perform a stretch-and-fold by pulling one side of the dough over itself — repeat 3–4 times.
6. Shape into a smooth ball, lightly oil, and refrigerate overnight in a covered container.
7. Remove from the fridge, let the dough come to room temperature, divide into 2 balls (±250g each), and rest 30–60 min before shaping.
8. Assembly & Baking
9. Preheat: Heat oven to 250°C (or highest setting) for at least 45 minutes with your stone or steel inside.
10. Shape: On a floured surface, gently stretch each dough ball into a 28–30 cm round, keeping the edges puffy and airy.
11. Spread a thin, even layer of store-bought pizza sauce (about 4 tbsp per pizza).
12. Add mozzarella, bacon, olives, and a sprinkle of chopped garlic.
13. Slide the pizza onto the hot stone or steel.
14. Bake for 6–8 minutes, or until the crust is puffed and lightly charred.
15. Remove from the oven, top with fresh basil leaves, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and serve immediately.