1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.

2️⃣ On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness. Transfer the dough to a piece of parchment paper for easy handling.

3️⃣ Brush the surface of the dough with olive oil. Evenly distribute the grated garlic and sliced shallots over the dough.

4️⃣ Sprinkle the Parmesan, mozzarella, and provolone cheeses over the top.

5️⃣ Sprinkle sesame seeds, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) over the cheese layer.

6️⃣ Arrange the thin lemon slices over the top of the pizza.

7️⃣ Transfer the parchment paper with the assembled pizza onto a baking sheet or the preheated pizza stone. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

8️⃣ Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately top with fresh basil leaves. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.