Homemade Pizza with Budget-Friendly Sauce

Prepare the Pizza Dough In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. Add the olive oil, salt, and flour. Mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

Make the Pizza Sauce In a saucepan, heat a little olive oil. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool.

Assemble and Bake the Pizza Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). Roll out the pizza dough to fit a small pizza box. Place the dough on a greased pizza pan. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a border for the crust. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and add the desired toppings. Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Top with fresh basil leaves before serving.