Description
Delightful homemade margherita pizza brings classic Italian flavors straight to your kitchen with minimal ingredients and maximum satisfaction. Crisp crust, melted mozzarella, and fresh basil create a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1–2 ripe tomatoes
Fresh Ingredients:
- Fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
Seasoning and Leavening Agents:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquid Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)
Instructions
- Awaken the yeast by blending warm water, sugar, and yeast in a vessel. Allow the mixture to transform for 5-10 minutes until it develops a frothy texture.
- Construct the dough foundation by combining flour and salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Create a central cavity and introduce the activated yeast liquid and olive oil. Gradually integrate the ingredients until a cohesive dough emerges.
- Transfer the dough onto a flour-dusted workspace and methodically knead for 5-7 minutes, developing a silky, elastic consistency.
- Nestle the dough into a lightly oiled container, drape with a moistened cloth, and permit rising in a warmth-embracing environment for 1-2 hours until volume doubles.
- Ignite the oven to maximum temperature (approximately 475°F/245°C), ensuring thorough preheating.
- Deflate the risen dough and extend it across a flour-covered surface, sculpting to preferred thickness.
- Relocate the stretched dough onto a preheated pizza stone or baking tray.
- Distribute tomato sauce uniformly, strategically place mozzarella and tomato slices, then season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust transforms golden and cheese bubbles with slight caramelization.
- Extract from oven, embellish with fragrant basil leaves and drizzle extra-virgin olive oil.
- Allow brief cooling, slice, and savor the artisanal Margherita creation.
Notes
- Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, ensuring a perfectly chewy and crisp crust that doesn’t become tough or dense.
- Preheat pizza stone or baking sheet for at least 30 minutes to create an ultra-crispy bottom that mimics professional pizzeria results.
- Use high-quality, fresh ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella to elevate the classic Margherita flavor profile.
- Allow pizza to rest briefly after baking, which helps cheese set and prevents burning your mouth while maintaining optimal texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg