Easy Pizza Dough

We love homemade pizza, but I don't usually have an extra 3 hours to devote to making pizza dough.  Try this recipe when you're short on time.

Quick Pizza Dough

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour


1 package active dry yeast

2 T olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 T sugar

1 tsp garlic powder

1 T powdered cheese (optional)

1 tsp basil

1 cup warm water (about 40 sec in the microwave;110 degrees --I use a candy thermometer)

Mix dry ingredients.  Add olive oil and water and mix well.  Knead on floured board until smooth and elastic.  Let rest in a covered bowl for 30 min (less works, too, if you're in a hurry). Press onto pan.   I bake it at 375 for about 5 minutes, then top it with sauce, green peppers, mushrooms, green onions, pepperoni, fresh tomatoes and mozzerella.  Bake at 375 for 20 min on greased pan (I tried stoneware, greased pan, and pizza pan and I liked the regular pan the best).  Also, this rises a lot, so you can roll it thin, or brush it with garlic butter and slice into breadsticks!!