How To Make a Margherita Pizza

Oil the pizza pan with 1 oz. of olive oil; save the other ounce for later.

Place the pizza dough on the center of the pan and prod, push, and stretch it with your fingers and the heels of your hands into a 14” circle about a 1⁄4” thick.

Ladle the tomato sauce onto the center of the dough, and spread it evenly outward in circular motions with the back of the spoon or ladle. Be sure to leave a 1⁄2” border of dough uncovered at the edges.

Place the mozzarella slices on top of the sauce.

Place the pizza pan in the oven on a middle shelf.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes, turning the pan about midway through, until the crust is golden brown and crisp on the edges and the bottom.

Remove the pizza pan from the oven and place on a flat, heat-resistance surface, like a large cutting board.

Sprinkle the basil over the pizza, then drizzle on the remaining olive oil.

Slice into even pieces using a pizza cutter, and serve.