Authentic Siciliana Pizza

Ingredients

• Salt (to taste)
• Black Pepper (to taste)
• Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
• Fresh basil (1/4 cup, roughly torn)
• Red onion (1 small, thinly sliced)
• Green bell pepper (1, thinly sliced)
• Black olives (1/2 cup, sliced)
• Pepperoni (1 cup, sliced)
• Mozzarella cheese (2 cups, shredded)
• Tomato sauce (1 cup, homemade or store-bought)
• Pizza dough (1 lb, homemade or store-bought)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). If you have one, place a pizza stone in the oven to preheat as well.
2. On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Transfer it onto a piece of parchment paper or a greased baking sheet.
3. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
4. Evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. Arrange the pepperoni, black olives, green bell pepper, and red onion on top of the cheese.
6. Drizzle the pizza with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Slide the pizza (with the parchment paper if using) onto the preheated pizza stone, or place the baking sheet in the oven.
8. Bake the pizza for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with fresh basil. Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.