- Prep time: 20 minutes (plus dough rising time)
- Cook time: 10–12 minutes
- Yield: 1 large pizza (2–3 servings)
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 ½ cups All-purpose flour (or Tipo 00 flour for a crispier crust)
- 1 tsp Instant yeast
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- ¾ cup Warm water
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
For the Tomato Sauce Base
- ½ cup Tomato puree or crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- ½ tsp Dried oregano
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- A pinch of Salt and Black pepper
For the Toppings
- 1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded (high-quality, low-moisture for the perfect stretch)
- 15–20 slices Pepperoni (beef or your preference)
- Fresh Basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and instant yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes slightly foamy.
- Add the flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a cohesive dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
2. Prepare the Sauce & Preheat
- In a small bowl, mix the tomato puree, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper together. Set aside (no cooking required).
- Preheat your oven to its maximum temperature—ideally 450°F to 500°F (230°C to 260°C). If you are using a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while preheating.
3. Assemble the Pizza
- Punch down the risen dough and stretch or roll it out into a 12-inch circle on a piece of parchment paper or a floured pizza peel.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the base of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust to puff up.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce.
- Arrange the pepperoni slices evenly across the top of the cheese.
4. Bake to Perfection
- Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven (onto your baking sheet or pizza stone).
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, or until the crust is beautifully golden-brown and charred in spots, and the cheese is bubbly, melted, and golden.
5. Serve
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for just 1–2 minutes so the cheese sets slightly.
- Top with fresh basil if desired, slice it up to get that perfect cheese pull, and enjoy hot!
