MAKE IT CUTE

Ordering Papa John’s is easy, I’ll give ya that, but Papa’s pies can’t hold a candle to a scrumptious (semi-)homemade pizza. Grabbing already made dough is an easy way to put this dinner-making process in fast forward. You should be able to buy dough balls at your local pizza parlor, or a nearby grocery. Buying local will make it healthier for you—fewer preservatives and other icky ingredients—and it’ll support neighborhood businesses.

Once you’ve got your dough, you’ve gotta decide what to put on it! For a red sauce pie, you can buy or make your own. Mom’s recipe for homemade tomato sauce will work like a charm, but if you go for bottles, keep an eye on the ingredients and try to limit the salt and sugar. Remember: The fewer ingredients listed on the label with names you can actually pronounce, the better for you the final product will be.

Got your sauce? Fab! Now it’s time to pick your toppings. If you’re in need of inspiration, here are some of my favorite pizzas…

- Simple margherita with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil

- Funky Hawaiian with ham and pineapple

- Classy caramelized onions, ricotta and proscuitto

- Italian meatlover’s with salami, pepperoni and sausage

Now comes the tricky part: rollin’ out the dough. Flour your hands and have a parchment paper-covered baking tray, pizza stone or pizza pan standing by. Preheat your oven to 475 degrees. Instead of whipping out the rolling pin, let gravity be your guide. Holding the dough between your hand, gently start pulling it apart to create a flat disc. Once you’ve got the approximate shape down, you can use a floured rolling pin to get it a li’l bit flatter and more even.

Finished? Place the disc on your baking surface. Use a brush to coat the edges of the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, then start piling on the toppings. A layer of sauce, white or red, comes first. Then cheeses, veggies and meats to your heart’s delight.

Once you’re ready to bake the pie, slide it into the oven and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the crust begins to brown and the cheese is bubbly. Pull it out of the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before slicing it and serving it up.

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