First Step: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Muffins

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready to crisp up the English muffins and melt the cheese.
2. Slice the Muffins: Cut the English muffins in half, creating 6-8 individual pizza bases. If you’re using larger muffins, you can also cut them into quarters to make mini pizza bites.
3. Toast the Muffins: Place the muffin halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Brush each half with olive oil and, if desired, sprinkle with garlic powder for extra flavor. Toast them in the oven for 4-5 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy. This step helps the muffins hold up better under the toppings and prevents them from becoming soggy.

Second Step: Prepare the Pizza Sauce

1. Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the marinara sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well to combine and set aside.
2. Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. You can add a little more basil or oregano if you like a stronger herb flavor or a pinch of sugar if the sauce is too acidic.

Third Step: Assemble the Pizzas

1. Spread the Sauce: Once the muffin halves are toasted, spread a generous spoonful of the pizza sauce over the cut side of each muffin half. Be sure to spread it evenly, leaving a small border around the edges.
2. Layer the Cheese: Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce. Be sure to cover the entire surface for a gooey, melty texture. Then, add a light dusting of grated Parmesan for a bit of sharpness.
3. Add the Toppings: This is where the fun begins! Customize each pizza with your choice of toppings. You can add sliced pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, red onions, and any other ingredients you like. Feel free to get creative and make different combinations for everyone.

Fourth Step: Bake the Pizzas

1. Bake the Pizzas: Place the assembled pizzas in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the toppings are cooked. Keep an eye on them to make sure the cheese doesn’t burn.
2. Check for Doneness: The pizzas are done when the cheese is golden and slightly bubbly, and the edges of the muffins are crispy and browned.

Fifth Step: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish with Fresh Basil: After baking, remove the pizzas from the oven. If desired, top each pizza with fresh basil leaves for a fragrant, aromatic touch.
2. Slice and Serve: Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice the pizzas into smaller pieces if desired. Serve immediately while the cheese is still warm and gooey.