Description
Nothing beats the simplicity and freshness of a homemade Margherita pizza! This classic Italian dish features a thin, crispy crust topped with a vibrant tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil. With just a few quality ingredients, you can create a pizzeria-style pizza right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re making it in a traditional oven or on a pizza stone, this recipe guarantees a deliciously golden crust and a perfectly melted cheesy topping.
Ingredients
Scale
How to make pizza by steps
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour (or bread flour for a chewier crust)
- 1 cup (240ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
the Sauce:
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Toppings:
- 8 oz (225g) fresh mozzarella, torn into pieces
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
Instructions
1: Make the Dough
- In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
2: Prepare the Sauce
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, salt, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
3: Roll and Shape the Dough
- Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat.
- Punch down the dough and transfer it to a floured surface. Roll or stretch it into a 12-inch circle.
- If using a baking sheet, lightly grease it and place the dough on top.
4: Assemble the Pizza
- Spread a thin layer of sauce over the dough, leaving about ½ inch around the edges.
- Evenly distribute the torn mozzarella pieces.
- Add fresh basil leaves on top.
5: Bake to Perfection
- Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven. Bake for 7–10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle with olive oil. Let it cool for a minute before slicing.
Notes
- Dough Storage: You can make the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for later use.
- Crust Variations: For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 3 minutes before adding toppings.
- Vegan Option: Use dairy-free mozzarella and swap honey for sugar in the dough.
- Spicier Version: Add crushed red pepper flakes on top before baking
- Prep Time: PT10M
- Cook Time: PT15M
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ pizza
- Calories: ~450 kcal per serving
- Sugar: ~4 g per serving
- Sodium: ~600 mg per serving
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: homemade pizza, Margherita pizza, Neapolitan pizza, how to make pizza by steps, Italian pizza recipe, mozzarella pizza, tomato basil pizza, easy pizza recipe