Mozzarella Mania Pizza

Ingredients:

For the pizza dough:

• 1 pound (about 450g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• Cornmeal or flour for dusting

For the toppings:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped or whole, for garnish
• Optional additional toppings:
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Sliced black olives
  • Sliced mushrooms
  • Thinly sliced red onions
  • Sliced bell peppers

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible (around 475-500°F or 245-260°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
2. Prepare your pizza dough. Roll it out on a floured surface into a circle or rectangle, depending on your preference. If using store-bought dough, follow the instructions on the packaging.
3. Sprinkle some cornmeal or flour on a pizza peel or baking sheet to prevent the dough from sticking. Transfer the rolled-out dough onto the peel or baking sheet.
4. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
5. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce, covering the entire pizza.
6. If desired, add optional toppings like sliced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, black olives, mushrooms, thinly sliced red onions, or bell peppers over the cheese.
7. Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven. If using a pizza stone, slide the pizza onto the hot stone. Otherwise, place the baking sheet with the pizza in the oven.
8. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Once done, remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
10. Slice the pizza and serve hot.

This Mozzarella Mania Pizza celebrates the gooey, stretchy goodness of mozzarella cheese and can be personalized with additional toppings to suit your taste preferences. Whether you keep it simple with just cheese and sauce or add extra ingredients, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser for any cheese lover!