Pepperoni Pizza

A classic Pepperoni Pizza is a crowd-pleasing favorite,
combining a crispy crust, savory tomato sauce, gooey cheese,
and the spicy flavor of pepperoni. It’s an easy and delicious
meal for any occasion.

Ingredients (for 2 medium pizzas) :
For the Pizza Dough:
● 2 1/4 tsp dry active yeast
● 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
● 1 tbsp olive oil
● 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
● 1 tsp salt
● 1 tsp sugar
For the Pizza Sauce:
● 1 can (15oz) tomato sauce
● 1 tbsp olive oil
● 1 tsp garlic powder
● 1 tsp dried oregano
● 1/2 tsp salt
● 1/2 tsp black pepper
● 1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
For the Toppings:
● 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
● 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
● Pepperoni slices
● Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions :

1. Prepare the Dough:
   ● In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar,
   and dry active yeast. Stir to dissolve and let it sit
   for about 5-10 minutes, until the mixture becomes
   frothy.
   ● In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a
   well in the center and add the yeast mixture along
   with the olive oil.
   ● Mix everything together to form a dough. Once it
   comes together, knead the dough on a floured
   surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and
   elastic.
   ● Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with
   a clean towel, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until it
   doubles in size.
2. Make the Pizza Sauce:
   ● In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
   Add the tomato sauce, garlic powder, oregano,
   salt, pepper, and sugar (if using).
   ● Stir and simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes,
   then remove it from heat and let it cool.
3. Preheat the Oven:
   ● Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a
   pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
4. Shape the Dough:
   ● Once the dough has risen, punch it down and
   divide it in half (for 2 pizzas). Roll each portion into
   a circle or desired shape on a floured surface.
   ● Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or baking sheet
   lined with parchment paper.
5. Assemble the Pizza:
   ● Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over each pizza
   dough.
   ● Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and parmesan
   cheese evenly over the sauce.
   ● Top with pepperoni slices.
6. Bake the Pizza:
   ● Place the pizza in the oven (on the pizza stone or
   baking sheet) and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or
   until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly
   and slightly browned.
   ● Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly
   before slicing.
7. Garnish and Serve:
   ● Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired, and
   serve hot!

Enjoy your Pepperoni Pizza!