Pizza Margherita

Delight in the simplicity and elegance of homemade Pizza Margherita, the quintessential Italian classic that showcases the vibrant flavors of just a few quality ingredients. Made with a golden, hand-kneaded dough that's perfectly crisped in the oven, this pizza is topped with a rich layer of crushed tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves for a mouthwatering balance of taste and texture. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil ties everything together, giving it that authentic pizzeria charm. Ready in just 45 minutes of active prep and cook time, this pizza recipe is perfect for cozy family dinners or casual entertaining. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice pizzaiolo, this recipe is your guide to creating a restaurant-quality Margherita pizza at home. Serve it with a side salad or a glass of wine for the ultimate Italian-inspired dining experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (7 grams) active dry yeast
• 250 milliliters warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 400 grams crushed tomatoes
• 200 grams fresh mozzarella cheese
• 10 grams fresh basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Step 2

Add the olive oil and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually add the flour, stirring with a wooden spoon until a dough begins to form.

Step 3

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 5

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or a baking sheet inside to heat up.

Step 6

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions. Roll out one portion into a round shape, approximately 12 inches in diameter.

Step 7

Transfer the rolled-out dough to a piece of parchment paper.

Step 8

Spread half of the crushed tomatoes evenly over the dough. Season with half of the salt and black pepper.

Step 9

Tear half of the fresh mozzarella cheese into pieces and distribute them evenly over the sauce.

Step 10

Slide the parchment paper with the pizza onto the hot pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and scatter half of the fresh basil leaves over the hot pizza. Drizzle with a light splash of extra virgin olive oil.

Step 12

Repeat the process with the remaining dough and ingredients to make the second pizza.

Step 13

Slice and serve immediately. Enjoy your classic Pizza Margherita!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1124.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2260.9

Total Fat 110.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.1g
Cholesterol 204.4mg	0%
Sodium 4461.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 221.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.1g	0%
Total Sugars 25.3g
Protein 86.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1451.6mg	0%
Iron 16.8mg	0%
Potassium 1416.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.7%

Protein: 15.5%

Carbs: 39.8%