The Hotter, the Better
The higher the heat, the better. True Italian pizzas are cooked in about 2 minutes in 1,000 degree fahrenheit ovens. Preheat your oven for 30 minutes at 500 degrees fahrenheit (the max temp for most home ovens) for a light, crispy crust.
Pizza Rule #2
Fire Up the Grill
Nothing better approximates the smoky char of a wood-burning oven than a grill. Have your ingredients ready, slide the raw dough directly onto the hot grates, and grill until lightly chared, about 4 minutes. Flip and immediately add sauce and cheese, then cover the grill and wait for the cheese to melt.
Pizza Rule #3
Go Easy on the Toppings
Pizza isn't about how much cheese you can cram onto a slice; it's about the subtle interplay of bread, sauce, cheese, and topping. Don't use more than 2 ounces of cheese and a few pieces of meat or vegetable per slice.
Pizza Rule #4
Break Out of the Box
Nontraditional ingredients—barbecue sauce, chorizo, pistachios—can elevate a humble pie to new heights.