Margherita Pizza is a traditional Italian pizza that consists of a thin and crispy crust, topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves. The pizza is typically cooked in a wood-fired oven, but can also be made in a regular oven at home. The tomato sauce is made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, and the pizza is finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Prep-Time – 1 hour Serving-Size – 12 inch pizza
Ingredients:
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to heat up.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to form a 12-inch circle.
- Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper.
- Spread the tomato sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
- Arrange the sliced mozzarella cheese over the tomato sauce.
- Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the pizza, then sprinkle with sea salt.
- Slide the pizza (on the parchment paper) onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and top with fresh basil leaves.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Relevant Notes & Tips:
- To get a crispy crust, make sure your oven is fully preheated and your pizza stone or baking sheet is hot before placing the pizza on it.
- If you like a little bit of heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.
- For a more authentic Margherita Pizza, use San Marzano tomatoes for the tomato sauce.
- Make sure to let the pizza rest for a few minutes before slicing, as this will help the cheese and toppings to set.
