Before handling any ingredients, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). A hot oven is key to getting that perfect golden crust. You can do this in a countertop oven if you have one; just adjust the settings accordingly.

Lightly flour your workspace. Unpack the pizza dough and roll it out into your desired shape: round, rectangular, or perhaps a fun, free-form. Aim for about ½ inch thick if you’re craving a crunchy crust.

Using a spoon, evenly distribute the tomato pizza sauce across the dough. Leave about an inch of crust around the edges to allow room for the cheese and toppings.

Start layering your cheese. First, place the thin slices of fresh mozzarella, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella generously across the top.

Now it’s time for the fun part! Add the pepperoni slices, placing them however your heart desires. Feel free to switch it up and throw on some veggies if you like. A sprinkle of grated parmesan and a dash of oregano will add that extra zing.

To elevate the flavors, drizzle the olive oil over the pizza. This small touch can make all the difference.

Slide your pizza onto a baking sheet or a pizza stone if you have one. Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust turns golden brown.

Once the pizza is out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. Slice it up and dig in!