Craving a classic? This simple Margherita pizza recipe brings the authentic flavors of Italy right to your kitchen. We'll walk you through each step, just like in Good Pizza Great Pizza, to create a truly delicious Margherita pizza. And don't worry, we'll also touch on pepperoni pizza recipe variations and answer all your burning questions, like "Is Margherita pizza vegetarian?" and "Margherita pizza near me".
Step 1: Prepare the Dough (or Use Store-Bought)
While making your own dough is rewarding for an authentic Margherita pizza recipe, you can also use high-quality store-bought dough for a quicker version.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (355ml) warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 3 ½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This means the yeast is active.
- Add flour and salt to the bowl. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Margherita Pizza Sauce
A simple, fresh sauce is key for an authentic Margherita pizza recipe. Forget the overly processed stuff!
Ingredients:
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed San Marzano tomatoes (for the best flavor)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves (some whole, some torn)
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic (if using) and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant (be careful not to burn it).
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Stir in some torn fresh basil at the end.
For an even simpler sauce, some authentic recipes just use crushed tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and fresh basil directly on the dough!
Step 3: Assemble the Margherita Pizza Toppings
The beauty of a Margherita pizza lies in its simplicity. These are the essential Margherita pizza toppings:
- Fresh Mozzarella: Use good quality, fresh mozzarella cheese. Slice it thinly or tear it into small pieces. Low-moisture mozzarella doesn't melt as well and lacks the same fresh flavor.
- Fresh Basil: Use fresh basil leaves. Some are added before baking, and more are added after for a burst of fresh aroma.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle of good quality olive oil adds flavor and richness.
Step 4: Shape the Dough and Add Toppings
- Preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible, ideally 450-500°F (232-260°C), with a pizza stone or baking steel inside for at least 30 minutes. If you don't have one, a baking sheet will work.
- Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Shape the dough into a round (or any shape you prefer!) about 12-14 inches in diameter. You can stretch it by hand or use a rolling pin.
- Carefully transfer the dough to a lightly floured pizza peel (if using a pizza stone) or a lightly oiled baking sheet.
- Spoon a thin layer of the Margherita pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Arrange the slices or pieces of fresh mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
- Scatter some fresh basil leaves over the cheese.
- Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
Step 5: Bake the Margherita Pizza
- Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone (or place the baking sheet in the oven).
- Bake for 8-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The exact baking time will depend on your oven temperature.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
- Carefully remove the pizza from the oven.
- Scatter some more fresh basil leaves over the top.
- Slice and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious homemade Margherita pizza!
Craving More? How About a Pepperoni Pizza Recipe?
If you're in the mood for something different, you can easily adapt this recipe to make a classic pepperoni pizza recipe. Simply add sliced pepperoni as one of your toppings before baking, along with the mozzarella.
Your Margherita Pizza Questions Answered:
What ingredients are on a Margherita pizza?
The traditional ingredients on a Margherita pizza are:
- Dough: A simple bread dough.
- Tomato Sauce: Typically made with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, sometimes with a touch of garlic, olive oil, salt, and basil.
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: High-quality, fresh mozzarella.
- Fresh Basil: Whole or torn leaves.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle for flavor.
What are the components of pizza margherita?
The main components of a pizza margherita are:
- Crust: The base of the pizza, usually made from wheat flour, water, yeast, salt, and olive oil.
- Sauce: A tomato-based sauce, highlighting the fresh taste of tomatoes.
- Cheese: Fresh mozzarella, providing a milky and slightly tangy flavor.
- Garnish: Fresh basil leaves, adding an aromatic and slightly peppery note.
What is special in Margherita pizza?
What's special about Margherita pizza is its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. It's not overloaded with toppings, allowing the individual flavors of the fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil to shine through. The colors also represent the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). This iconic pizza is a testament to the idea that sometimes, less is truly more.
What's the difference between margarita pizza and Margherita pizza?
The difference is primarily in the spelling. "Margherita pizza" is the correct spelling, named after Queen Margherita of Savoy. "Margarita pizza" is a common misspelling, likely due to the popularity of margarita cocktails. While both terms might be understood to refer to the same pizza, using the correct spelling shows respect for its history and origin.
Enjoy making and eating your delicious Margherita pizza! It's a simple yet incredibly satisfying dish that's perfect for any occasion.
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