Making pizza at home is fun and delicious! Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the toppings:

• ½ cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• Your choice of toppings (pepperoni, veggies, olives, etc.)

• Fresh basil (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough:

   • In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.

   • In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Make a well in the center, and add the yeast mixture and olive oil.

   • Mix until it forms a dough, then knead on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.

2. Let the dough rise:

   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

3. Preheat the oven:

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

4. Shape the pizza:

   • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness (about ¼ inch for a classic crust).

   • Transfer the rolled-out dough to a baking sheet or pizza peel (if using a stone).

5. Add toppings:

   • Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a little space around the edges.

   • Sprinkle cheese on top, then add your desired toppings.

6. Bake:

   • If using a pizza stone, slide the pizza onto it. Otherwise, place the baking sheet in the oven.

   • Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

7. Finish:

   • Remove from the oven, let it cool for a minute, and add fresh basil if desired. Slice and enjoy!

Feel free to customize it with your favorite toppings. Enjoy your homemade pizza!