📖 Instructions

1. First things first, preheat your oven to its highest temperature; like, seriously, crank it up to 500°F (260°C) if your oven can handle it. If you are using a pizza stone, put it in the oven while it's preheating. This is crucial for a crispy crust. Trust me on this one.
2. Next up, we tackle the dough. I know what you're thinking...dough is hard. Nuh uh! It's easier than you think. Unless you've got a stand mixer, a little elbow grease might be needed, but that's ok, it's a workout!
3. Now, let's prep the sauce. My grandma's recipe calls for crushed San Marzano tomatoes, a few cloves of garlic (minced, because we're not cavemen), some oregano, a pinch of salt, and a dash of olive oil. Simmer it gently for about 15 minutes. This step really makes the pizza special. I use my nonna's recipe and you should too.
4. Time to roll! Lightly flour your work surface and gently roll out your dough to your desired thickness. Aim for something around 1/8 inch, unless you like a thick crust. No judgement here.
5. Transfer the dough to your preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Use a pizza peel if you have one - it makes things a lot easier! If you're winging it without a peel, a flat spatula is your next best friend.
6. Now for the fun part! Spread your beautiful homemade sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Next comes your toppings of choice. Don't be shy! Get crazy with it. I sometimes forget to put my toppings on and I end up with a delicious cheese pizza. You know what? That's fine too!
7. Bake for 8-12 minutes. Keep a close eye on it because every oven is different. You're looking for a golden brown crust and perfectly melted cheese. If the crust starts to look like it's burning too fast, drop the temperature a bit. This is a crucial moment for the pizza.
8. Once it's out, let it cool slightly for about 2-3 minutes before slicing and serving. Now, you have a gorgeous pizza created by you, for you. How awesome is that?