Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3/4 cup warm water (110°F or 43°C)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Toppings (Customize to your liking):

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Sliced pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, or any other toppings of your choice
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pizza Dough:

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

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix to form a dough.

• Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.

2. Make the Pizza Sauce:

• In a small saucepan, heat a little olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for a minute.

• Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.

3. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can go, typically around 475°F to 500°F (245°C to 260°C).

4. Prepare the Pizza:

• Punch down the risen pizza dough and divide it in half. You can make two medium-sized pizzas or one large pizza.

• Roll out the dough on a floured surface into your desired pizza shape.

• Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza stone or a baking sheet.

5. Add Sauce and Toppings:

• Spread a layer of pizza sauce evenly over the dough.

• Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.

• Add your preferred toppings. You can get creative here and add your favorite vegetables, meats, or other toppings.

6. Bake the Pizza:

• Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

7. Garnish and Serve:

• Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

• Slice and serve your homemade pizza while it's hot and fresh.

Enjoy your delicious homemade pizza, and don't hesitate to get creative with your toppings to make it your own!