Pizza dough, how long can I keep it after having just made it fresh?

[michaelad]

Right, have just made my first ever pizza dough and realised I made it way too early! I can't actually begin to turn it into a proper pizza until 20.00 when the kids are in bed. What do I do now? Can I cover it and leave it out, do I put it into the fridge?

Or have I just completely killed it?

I would roll it out into the right shape, put it on the tray and cover with a tea towel - it will rise slowly and probably give you a thicker base.

Can you not just quickly make it into pizza, part cook now and reheat later?

It will start to rise now whatever you do, but probably in the fridge is the best place for it. In future if you want to make them in advance you can roll them out and freeze them rolled round greaseproof paper. I keep meaning to do that myself.

Thanks ladies, what would I do without you!!!