Ann's Italian sausage, hamburger, mushroom and red onion pizza

All of The girls in my cooking class, wanted to learn to make homemade pizza. A couple of them had tried to make it before, but didn't like the results.  I have experimented over the years and finally came up with my own version. It makes 2 large pizzas, so for 2 people you can have one for dinner and freeze another one for later. They freeze nicely. You can use any toppings you like, but most things should be sauteed before putting on the pizza. It cooks and softens the veggies and brings out the flavors. The exception is pepperoni, which can just be layered directly onto the pizza. Also, you can make plain cheese pizza, which is how my grandson likes it. My kids and grandkids always request this pizza when they visit or I go to see them. My favorite mix is hamburger and mild Italian sausage mixed together with mushrooms and red onions sauteed together and added on top of the meat mixture. THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is to spread the pizza sauce on thin!!! You should have about one half of a jar left. This pizza just says home, family and comfort food to the max!! The girls in the picture are from my May Cooking class. Good friends and good fun, You can't beat it!!

1. 1 pkg. instant yeast (can use regular)



2. 1 cup lukewarm water



3. 1 TBLS. sugar



4. 1 teaspoon salt



5. 2 TBLS. oil(I like Crisco vegetable)



6. 2 1/2 - 3 cups unbleached flour(I like Pillsbury or King Arthur)

Toppings:

1. 1 jar Ragu Pizza Quick Sauce



2. 1 12 oz bag grated 5 cheese Italian



3. 1 12 oz bag mozzarella cheese



4. pepperoni, sliced (If using instead of sausage/hamburger mix)



5. 1 lb. Italian sausage and 1/2 lb. hamburger, crumbled and browned.
6. about 1/2 small red onion, sliced
7. 1/2 of an 8 oz. pkg. of mushrooms sliced 
8. green or red peppers, sauteed(I prefer red cause they are milder)

In bowl dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt amd oil. Mix well. Gradually add flour to form a stiff dough. Knead on floured surface until smooth. Put a little oil in medium bowl, turn dough to oil both sides, and cover with a damp towel. Let rise until doubled in bulk.


Empty dough out on pastry cloth that has been floured and divide in half. Roll out thin and put each half in a pizza pan or on a pizza baking stone. (For grandkids, I use 7 inch cast iron skillets). Crimp the edges to hold toppings. Spread Ragu on very thin, covering surface and then almost 1/2 of the grated cheese from each bag(you will have a little left but you also can use it all). Put the meats on next and then veggie toppings. Bake at 400 degrees about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. So much fun to make with friends or family!!