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Margherita Pizza

Margherita Pizza
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Margherita Pizza is a classic Italian dish renowned for its simple yet vibrant combination of fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, aromatic basil, and a crispy dough base. This recipe emphasizes quality ingredients and traditional baking techniques to create a balanced, flavorful pizza that honors Italian culinary heritage. Perfect for all skill levels, it is versatile and easily adapted for various dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Pizza Base

  • 1 ball of soft yet crispy pizza dough (approximately 12 inches in diameter)

Tomato Sauce

  • Fresh ripe tomatoes or 1/2 cup of fresh tomato sauce
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Cheese and Herbs

  • Fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into bite-sized chunks (about 6-8 oz)
  • Fresh basil leaves (a handful, for topping)

Finishing Touches

  • Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling before and after baking (2-3 tablespoons)
  • Salt and pepper, to season as needed

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: Start with your pizza dough at room temperature. Lightly flour a clean surface and stretch or roll it out into a roughly 12-inch circle, making sure to leave a slightly thicker edge for the crust. The dough should be soft but elastic, so it doesn’t tear easily.
  2. Add the tomato base: Spread a thin layer of your freshly made or store-bought tomato sauce evenly across the dough, stopping just before the edge. This keeps the crust nice and crisp while ensuring every bite inside is juicy.
  3. Layer the mozzarella: Tear fresh mozzarella into bite-sized chunks and scatter them evenly across the tomato sauce. The cheese will melt beautifully and create pockets of creamy flavor throughout the pizza.
  4. Bake to perfection: Place the pizza in a preheated oven at your highest temperature (ideally 475-500°F or 245-260°C) on a pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling with slight browning.
  5. Add fresh basil and olive oil: Once out of the oven, immediately scatter fresh basil leaves on top and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. The heat will lightly wilt the basil, releasing its fragrant oils without overpowering the pizza.

Notes

  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes really make a difference in flavor and texture.
  • High oven temperature: Baking at a high temperature mimics traditional wood-fired pizza ovens for that crisp yet chewy crust.
  • Don’t overload toppings: Keep toppings minimal and well-distributed to avoid soggy pizza.
  • Rest the dough: Letting dough rest before stretching makes it easier to handle and more pliable.
  • Use a pizza stone: If available, preheat a pizza stone for optimal crust crispiness and quick baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Margherita Pizza, Italian pizza, fresh mozzarella, basil pizza, gluten-free pizza, classic pizza, homemade pizza

Find it online: https://marysplate.com/margherita-pizza/