Homemade Cacio e Pepe Pizza

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Start by making the pizza dough. Add the yeast, water, pizza flour, olive oil, salt, and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Use the dough hook to mix until well combined, about 6 minutes. A ball of dough should form and pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will be sticky.
2. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm place for one hour to allow the dough to rise and double in size.
3. Place 2 baking sheets on separate racks in the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F.
4. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Let cook for about 1 minute, whisking occasionally, until it turns a light gold color. Add the milk and whisk to combine. Let cook, whisking occasionally, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Add the parmesan cheese and whisk to combine and melt. Remove from the heat and set aside.
5. Divide the dough in half to create 2 pizzas. Lightly flour the counter and each ball of dough. Roll or press into 2 10-inch circles. Place the pizza dough on 2 separate pieces of parchment paper, sprinkled with cornmeal.
6. Evenly divide the olive oil between the dough (2 Tbsp per pizza) and rub all over the top and edges. Use a pizza peel to transfer each pizza, with the parchment paper, to one of the baking sheets preheating in the oven. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until the crust starts to brown and bubble.
7. Remove each pizza from the oven. Evenly divide the sauce between each pizza and spread in a thin layer. Evenly distribute the mozzarella over the top of each pizza. Sprinkle with black pepper.
8. Return both pizzas to the oven and bake for an additional 8-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted, starting to bubble, and starting to brown. Remove from the oven and slice. Serve immediately and enjoy!