- 1 round store bought pizza dough (I got mine from Trader Joe’s)
- 1 small can tomato paste (6 oz.)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 cup torn basil leaves
- 1 cup store bought pre-sliced pepperoni (you can have more or less depending on how much pepperoni you like
- 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced onions
- 2 cups shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese
- salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You can buy pizza dough at any grocery store, although I like Trader Joe’s the best. I always see on Food Network them saying how they just ask for dough at their local pizza place. Now I’ve never done this nor have I seen anyone do this and frankly I find it kind of awkward. So if you share the same sentiments just stick to going to the grocery store. Roll out the pizza dough into a circle on a floured surface so it doesn’t stick. Make sure it’s even all around. Spray a pan with non-stick spray and place pizza dough on it. I like to bake the dough for a few minutes before I put toppings on it in order to ensure that the crust isn’t too soft especially in the middle where sometimes it tends to get soft. Place in oven for 4-5 minutes just to get the dough cooking.

While dough is in the oven, heat a small pot on medium heat. Add olive oil and garlic. Saute garlic for 1-2 minutes. Then add tomato paste and water and stir until it’s not super thick. Keep adding water to make it thinner if you wish. Add basil, salt and pepper and stir altogether and remove from heat.

Remove dough from oven. Ladle sauce all over pizza leaving enough room on the edges so that you can hold it to eat once it’s done. Top generously with cheese. Add peppers, onions and pepperonis. Bake in oven for 12-15 minutes or until crust is crisp and all cheese has melted. Remove from oven, slice and serve