In the bowl of a stand mixer (fitted with a paddle), food processor, or a large mixing bowl: Combine 1 1/4 c. flour, yeast, and salt.
Add water and oil. Mix or process for 30 seconds on medium. Turn to high and continue to beat for 3 minutes.
If using a stand mixer, switch to dough hook. Otherwise, continue as follows: Add remaining 1 1/4 - 2 c. flour 1/4 c. at a time. If making by hand, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Mix or knead by hand until dough is smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Add flour as needed, but just enough so that the dough is not sticky.
Divide dough into 2 balls, cover and let rise for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours (longer is better).
Lightly knead dough a few times. Shape dough into 2 balls. Place on a lightly floured surface, cover with a little flour, and let rest 20 minutes.
Proceed with your favorite pizza recipe!
To bake the dough, with any number of toppings:
While the dough rests, preheat oven (and pizza stone if using) to 500ºF. If you are not using a pizza stone, grease a large baking sheet and set aside.
Roll dough into a 12 in. circle (perfection is not a necessity here). Take your time. If the dough retreats (shrinks back to a smaller circle), just let it rest for a minute and then continue.
Carefully place dough on preheated stone or greased baking sheet. Poke holes in the surface with a fork to allow air to escape. Lightly brush with olive oil, top with your favorites, then bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and toppings are hot and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes, cut, and enjoy your authentic, homemade pizza.
Notes
This dough can be easily made ahead, for use later in the day or frozen for up to a month. To use within 24-hours: After Step 3, place in the refrigerator to rise for 6-8 hours or up to 24. To freeze for up to 1 month: After Step 3, simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then freeze. When ready to use, thaw and let rise at room temperature for several hours or place in the refrigerator and thaw overnight. If homemade pizza is something you plan to make frequently, it's worth investing in a pizza stone (you can find one for less than $20). Preheat the stone along with your oven for at least a half hour - while the pizza dough rises is perfect. Bonus: pizza stones are great for baking loaves of bread, reheating leftover homemade pizza, and even (gasp!) cooking frozen pizza for days when you just can't help yourself.