Pizza Recipe

Activate Yeast

In a small bowl, combine warm water (1.5 cups) and sugar (1 tsp). Sprinkle active dry yeast (2 tsp) over the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.

Mix Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour (4 cups) and salt (1 tsp). Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil (2 tbsp).

Knead Dough

Mix the ingredients until a dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Let Dough Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.

Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.

Prepare Pizza Base

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer it to a pizza pan or a baking sheet.

Add Sauce and Toppings

Spread tomato sauce (1 cup) evenly over the dough. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups) on top. Add pepperoni slices (1 cup), bell pepper slices (1 cup), onion slices (0.5 cup), and olives (0.5 cup) as desired. Finish with dried oregano (1 tsp) and dried basil (1 tsp).

Bake the Pizza

Carefully place the pizza in the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.

Cool and Serve

Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice and serve hot.