Ingredients:

  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (brown or white)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pre-made pizza dough (store-bought or homemade; about a pound)
  • Flour for dusting
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to its highest setting (usually around 475°F/246°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil and let it warm. Stir in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste until well combined. Add sugar, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning according to your taste. Let simmer for about 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
  3. On a clean surface lightly dusted with flour, roll out your pizza dough into a circle about 10 inches in diameter for individual pizzas or larger if making family-style. Transfer rolled-out dough onto parchment paper for easy handling.
  4. Spread an even layer of sweet sauce over the dough using either a spoon or spatula—leave about half an inch around the edges. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the sauce. Add any additional toppings you desire.
  5. If using a pizza stone: Carefully transfer your assembled pizza onto the hot stone using a peel or flat baking sheet. If not using a stone: Place parchment paper with assembled pizza directly onto an oven-safe baking sheet. Bake for approximately 10–12 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbling.
  6. Once baked to perfection, remove from oven and let rest for about two minutes before slicing into quarters or eighths depending on preference.