Homemade Pepperoni Pizza

Pizza Dough In a mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

2.Add sugar, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture, then gradually stir in the flour until a dough forms.

3.Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

4.Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.

Pizza Sauce In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.

6.Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and sugar. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Assembling the Pizza Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to heat up.

8.Punch down the dough and divide it in half to make 2 pizzas.

9.On a floured surface, roll out the dough to the desired thickness and transfer it to a parchment-lined pizza peel or baking sheet.

10.Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, then arrange the pepperoni slices on top.

11.Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

12.Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired, before slicing and serving.