Homemade Margherita Pepperoni Pizza

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 450°F (230°C) to ensure it’s fully heated by the time your pizza is ready to bake.

2. 2

   Prepare the Dough: Lightly dust your countertop with flour. Roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness, ensuring your hands and rolling pin are also lightly floured to prevent sticking.

3. 3

   Prepare the Baking Sheet: Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper. Transfer the rolled-out dough onto the prepared baking sheet.

4. 4

   Add the Toppings: Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the dough using the back of a spoon, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Arrange the mozzarella slices on top of the sauce. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes, cut side down, across the pizza. Evenly distribute the pepperoni slices on top.

5. 5

   Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned. For an extra crispy finish, broil the pizza for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.

6. 6

   Finish and Serve: Once the pizza is done, remove it from the oven and immediately top it with the fresh basil leaves. The residual heat will gently wilt the basil. Optionally, drizzle the pizza with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with salt to taste.