Nothing beats a home-baked pizza for both freshness and versatility, and with such a wide variety of toppings to choose from, there's a pizza for every taste.

Pizza slideshow: Try one of these Italian favourites.

How to make pizza dough

What you need

• 2 cups (300g) flour, sifted
• 1 sachet (7g) active dried yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (250ml) warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

How to make it

1. Combine flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl.

2. Stir in combined water and half of oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until dough becomes too firm to stir. Using hands, continue working to make a ball of dough then turn dough out onto a floured surface.

3. Knead dough with hands until smooth and elastic. Alternatively use an electric mixer with a dough hook and knead on low speed for 3 minutes.

3. Coat a large bowl with remaining oil and add dough, turning to grease all over. Cover with gladwrap and a clean tea-towel. Leave in a warm place for 1 hour, until mixture has doubled in size. Turn out to a lightly floured surface, knock down and knead very lightly.

4. To help stretch out the dough the traditional way is hold up the slightly patted out round with both hands and let the dough fall away from hands, stretching it out in the process.

5. Place on trays or pans and gently press, pat and push dough outwards until it reaches the edges, forming a thick rim on the outside.

6. Add topping and bake!

Try one of these mouth-watering pizza recipes for a mid-week, quick and easy dinner.

YOUR SAY: Do you have any great tips for making great tasting pizza bases? Share them below!