Homemade Pizza with Sauce and Dough

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups of your favorite pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Assorted toppings of your choice (e.g. mushrooms, onions, olives, bell peppers, sausage, etc)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, olive oil, and sugar. Stir until the yeast is dissolved.
2. Add the flour and salt to the bowl and mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for about 30 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
6. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch circle.
7. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased pizza pan or baking sheet.
8. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, then sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
9. Add your desired toppings.
10. Bake the pizza for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Interesting Facts

• The first pizza was made in Naples, Italy in the late 18th century.
• Pizza is the second most popular food in the United States after hamburgers.
• Pizza is the world’s favorite food, with over 3 billion pies being eaten every year.
• The world’s longest pizza was made in Naples in 2017, measuring over 1.5 km long.