Description
Margherita Pizza is a classic Italian pizza celebrated for its delicious simplicity and timeless flavor. Featuring fresh San Marzano tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil leaves, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, this recipe combines high-quality, fresh ingredients for a vibrant and mouthwatering experience. Easy to prepare and customizable to your taste, it’s perfect for any occasion whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cook.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 ball of pizza dough (homemade or store-bought, enough for a 12-inch pizza)
Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 cup crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional: 1 garlic clove, finely minced
Toppings
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, torn or sliced
- Fresh basil leaves, a handful
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Let your pizza dough come to room temperature to make it easier to stretch. Roll out or hand-stretch it into a rough 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface to get a thin but sturdy base.
- Add the tomato sauce: Spread a thin layer of crushed San Marzano tomatoes evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Avoid adding too much sauce to keep the crust crispy. If using, sprinkle minced garlic over the sauce.
- Layer fresh mozzarella: Scatter torn or sliced fresh mozzarella generously over the sauce, covering the pizza evenly for a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Bake to perfection: Preheat your oven to 475°F to 500°F and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat. Place the prepared pizza on the hot stone or sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
- Add fresh basil and olive oil: Immediately after removing the pizza from the oven, top it with fresh basil leaves and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil to enhance its aroma and flavor. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use quality, fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Preheat your oven thoroughly for a crispy crust.
- Hand-stretch the dough instead of rolling to retain air bubbles and get a lighter crust.
- Keep sauce and cheese layers light to prevent soggy pizza.
- Add basil after baking to preserve its bright, fresh flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pizza)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg