Dough Preparation: Pizza dough is typically made from a few simple ingredients, including flour, water, yeast, salt, and sometimes olive oil. The ingredients are mixed together to form a dough, which is then kneaded to develop gluten and achieve the desired texture. The dough is left to rise, allowing the yeast to ferment and create air bubbles.

Sauce Preparation: While the dough is rising, a pizza sauce is often prepared. Traditional pizza sauce is made from ripe tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, and herbs like basil and oregano. The tomatoes are usually crushed or pureed, and the sauce is cooked to develop the flavors.

Toppings: Pizza can be topped with a variety of ingredients, depending on personal preferences and regional styles. Common toppings include cheese (such as mozzarella), vegetables (like tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms), cured meats (such as pepperoni, sausage, or ham), and herbs/spices (like basil, oregano, or chili flakes).

Shaping the Dough: Once the dough has risen, it is punched down to release excess air and divided into individual portions. Each portion is shaped into a round disc by stretching and flattening it. Some pizza styles, like Neapolitan pizza, require the dough to be stretched by hand to create a thin center and a thicker, puffy crust around the edges.

Assembly: The shaped dough is placed on a pizza peel or baking sheet, ready for topping. The pizza sauce is spread evenly on the dough, leaving a border for the crust. Then, the desired toppings are added, followed by a layer of cheese.

Baking: Traditionally, pizza is cooked in a wood-fired brick oven, which imparts a unique smoky flavor and creates a crispy crust. However, modern pizza-making also involves using conventional ovens at high temperatures. The pizza is baked at around 450-500°F (230-260°C) for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown, the cheese is melted, and the toppings are cooked.

Finishing Touches: Once the pizza is out of the oven, it can be garnished with additional ingredients like fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, or drizzles of olive oil. Some people also prefer to sprinkle dried herbs or red pepper flakes for added flavor.