Simple homemade pizza recipe

### Simple Homemade Pizza Recipe

#### Ingredients

- **For the Dough:**
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- **For the Toppings:**
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your choice of toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, etc.)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
- A pinch of oregano (optional)

#### Instructions

1. **Prepare the Dough:**
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Stir until a dough forms, then 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 damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

2. **Preheat the Oven:**
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.

3. **Shape the Dough:**
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal portions if making two smaller pizzas.
- Roll out the dough into your desired shape (about 12 inches in diameter for a large pizza) using a rolling pin or by stretching it with your hands.

4. **Assemble the Pizza:**
- Transfer the rolled-out dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a pizza peel if using a pizza stone.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce and add your chosen toppings.
- Optionally, scatter fresh basil leaves and a pinch of oregano on top for added flavor.

5. **Bake:**
- Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven or pizza stone. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

6. **Serve:**
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two before slicing.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade pizza!

This simple recipe provides a solid foundation for a variety of pizza creations. Feel free to get creative with your toppings and customize your pizza just the way you like it!