Pizza Margherita

Ingredients

Pizza dough

1 (store-bought or homemade)

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Salt

1/2 teaspoon

Black pepper

1/4 teaspoon

Fresh tomatoes

4 ripe, sliced

Fresh mozzarella cheese

8 ounces, sliced

Fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup, torn

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness, typically about 1/4 inch thick for a classic crust.
3. Carefully transfer the rolled dough to a baking sheet or the preheated pizza stone.
4. Brush the dough evenly with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavors.
5. Layer the sliced tomatoes evenly over the dough, allowing for some overlap to maximize the juicy goodness.
6. Distribute the slices of fresh mozzarella cheese over the tomatoes, covering them generously.
7. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Once out of the oven, sprinkle the torn fresh basil leaves over the top for a burst of freshness and aroma.
9. Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing into wedges and serving.