In a bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy. Mix in olive oil, flour, and salt. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.

Preheat the Oven

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

Assemble the Pizza

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or a baking sheet. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, tearing the mozzarella into pieces and scattering them on top. Add fresh basil leaves.

Bake the Pizza

Slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Serve

Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a minute, then sprinkle with black pepper and parmesan cheese to taste. Slice and serve hot.