⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 1 (12-inch pizza) servings

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Warm water (105-115°F)
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 (28-ounce) can Crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• A pinch Black pepper
• 8 ounces Mozzarella cheese

📖 Instructions

1. First things first, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). This high heat ensures a crispy crust – trust me on this one!
2. Next, let's make the dough (unless you are using store-bought – no judgement here!). In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of warm water (around 105-115°F), 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it gets frothy. If it doesn't foam, your yeast might be dead. Time to buy some fresh stuff!
3. Once the yeast is happy, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 3 cups of all-purpose flour to the bowl. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Now for the fun part – kneading! Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time. If it's too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time. Feel the dough; you'll get the hang of it!
5. Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside. Cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. This is the magic of yeast!
6. While the dough is rising, make your sauce! In a small bowl, combine 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well and set aside. Feel free to add other herbs or spices to your liking!
7. Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Divide it in half (for two 12-inch pizzas) or into quarters (for four smaller pizzas). On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion of dough to your desired thickness and shape.
8. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza pan or baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the crust, leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
9. Now comes the fun part, customizing with your favorite toppings! I'm a big fan of fresh basil, pepperoni, and mushrooms, but be creative!
10. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn!
11. Once it's out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy with friends, family, and games!

📝 Notes

• Adjust the amount of flour depending on the consistency of the dough.
• Feel free to experiment with your favorite pizza toppings!