This classic Margherita Pizza is made with just six fresh Italian ingredients for a crispy, flavorful, and satisfying meal. Perfect for busy women who love simple, homemade dinners that don’t compromise on taste.
With Neapolitan pizza dough, San Marzano tomatoes, Fior Di Latte mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, this dish embodies Italian cooking and is ideal for weeknight dinners or pizza night ideas.
Crafting the Perfect Margherita Pizza
Creating a Margherita pizza at home is a delightful experience that brings the essence of Italian cooking right into your kitchen. With its golden, crispy crust and vibrant toppings, this dish is a staple for many pizza night ideas.
The foundation of this classic recipe lies in the Neapolitan pizza dough, which provides the perfect base for a satisfying meal. Topped with fresh tomato sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes, creamy Fior Di Latte mozzarella, and fragrant basil, this pizza is a celebration of simple yet flavorful ingredients.
Essential Ingredients for a Margherita Pizza
To make a traditional Margherita pizza, gather the following ingredients:
- Neapolitan pizza dough
- San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
- Fior Di Latte mozzarella, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Grana Padano cheese, grated
- Salt to taste
These ingredients come together to create a dish that is not only delicious but also embodies the spirit of comfort food. The combination of fresh tomato recipes and quality mozzarella dishes makes this pizza a favorite among vegetarians and pizza lovers alike.
Preparing the Dough and Sauce
The first step in making your Margherita pizza is preparing the Neapolitan pizza dough. This dough is known for its light and airy texture, which is essential for achieving that perfect crispy crust.
While the dough rests, take the time to prepare the sauce. Crushing the San Marzano tomatoes and seasoning them with a pinch of salt brings out their natural sweetness, creating a vibrant base for your pizza.
Assembling Your Pizza
Once your dough is ready, stretch it out into a round shape, ideally around 10-12 inches in diameter. This is where the fun begins! Spread a thin layer of the crushed tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
Next, distribute the sliced Fior Di Latte mozzarella evenly across the sauce. The cheese will melt beautifully, creating a creamy texture that complements the fresh basil leaves added on top.
Baking to Perfection
With your pizza assembled, it’s time to bake! Preheat your oven to a high temperature, ideally around 475°F (245°C), and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated surface and bake for about 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on it as the crust turns golden and the cheese begins to bubble, signaling that it’s almost ready.
Serving and Enjoying Your Margherita Pizza
Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil for an added layer of flavor. Top with fresh basil and a sprinkle of grated Grana Padano cheese before slicing.
Serve your Margherita pizza hot, paired with a simple salad or a glass of wine for a delightful weeknight dinner. This dish not only satisfies the palate but also brings a taste of Italy to your dining table, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.
Easy Margherita Pizza Recipe
This Margherita Pizza features a thin, crispy crust topped with fresh tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil. It’s a vegetarian meal that highlights classic recipes and comfort food, taking about 30 minutes from start to finish and serves 2-4 people.
Ingredients
- 1 batch Neapolitan pizza dough
- 1 can (14 oz) San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
- 8 oz Fior Di Latte mozzarella, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Grana Padano cheese, grated (for serving)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to the highest setting, typically around 475°F (245°C), and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, crush the San Marzano tomatoes and season with salt to taste. Set aside.
- Shape the Dough: On a floured surface, stretch or roll out the Neapolitan pizza dough into a round shape, about 10-12 inches in diameter.
- Add the Sauce: Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or parchment paper. Spread a thin layer of the crushed tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Add Toppings: Distribute the sliced Fior Di Latte mozzarella evenly over the sauce. Add a few fresh basil leaves on top.
- Bake the Pizza: Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Top with additional fresh basil and grated Grana Padano cheese. Slice and serve hot.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 2-4 slices
- Calories: 250kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 30g