Indulge in the timeless simplicity of a Perfect Pizza Margherita. With just a handful of fresh ingredients, you can create an Italian classic that's bursting with vibrant flavors and a delightful balance of textures.
Pizza Margherita is a culinary masterpiece that captures the essence of Italy. The combination of ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of olive oil creates a harmony of flavors that's hard to resist.
Ingredients
1 pre-made pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 cup tomato sauce (homemade or your favorite brand)
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1-2 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
Fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: a sprinkle of dried oregano or red pepper flakes
8 Servings
Prep Time:
0 Hrs 15 Mins
Cook Time:
0 Hrs 10 Mins
Total TIme:
0 Hrs 0 Mins
Directions
Step
Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended on the pizza dough packaging (usually around 450°F or 232°C).
Step
Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness. Place it on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
Step
Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
Step
Lay the fresh mozzarella slices over the sauce.
Step
Arrange the tomato slices on top of the cheese.
Step
Season with a pinch of salt and a grind of black pepper.
Step
Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake according to the pizza dough instructions, usually 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step
Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter fresh basil leaves over the top.
Step
Drizzle olive oil over the pizza to enhance the flavors.
Step
Optional: Sprinkle a bit of dried oregano or red pepper flakes for an extra kick of flavor.
Step
Let the pizza cool slightly before slicing.
Tips for this recipe
To achieve a perfectly crisp crust, consider using a pizza stone or a pizza steel, preheated in the oven before placing the pizza on it. This will help create that coveted brick-oven-style texture.
