Now, let’s get cooking! Follow these steps to bring this pizza to life:

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it heats.
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface until it’s about 12 inches in diameter. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a preheated pizza stone.
3. In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with one tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread this mixture evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
6. Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for an added kick.
7. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before slicing and serving.

One of my favorite parts of this process is watching the cheese bubble and brown, knowing it’s only moments away from being devoured. My grandmother always said you could tell a good cook by how they watch their food, and I find that patience is rewarded here with a perfectly baked pizza.