Get ready to savor the timeless flavors of Italy with our Margherita Pizza recipe. A true classic, this pizza celebrates simplicity with its minimal yet incredibly delicious ingredients. Perfect for four people, our Margherita Pizza features a thin and crispy crust topped with ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil. Let’s embark on a culinary journey to create a pizza that’s a masterpiece of flavor and elegance.
Ingredients:
For the Pizza Dough:
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Toppings:
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced or torn into pieces
- 2-3 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Process:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to the highest setting, usually around 475-500°F (245-260°C). If you have a pizza stone or baking steel, place it in the oven while preheating.
- Prepare the Dough:
- Dust your work surface with flour to prevent sticking. Roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness. For a thin and crispy Margherita pizza, aim for a thin crust. You can also divide the dough into smaller portions to create individual-sized pizzas.
- Make the Tomato Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix the crushed tomatoes with minced garlic, dried oregano, and season with salt and pepper to taste. This simple sauce will provide the perfect base for your Margherita pizza.
- Assemble the Pizza:
- Place the rolled-out pizza dough on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or pizza peel if using a pizza stone. This will make it easier to transfer to the hot oven.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Arrange the fresh mozzarella slices or torn pieces on top of the sauce, followed by the sliced tomatoes.
- Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Bake: Slide the parchment paper with the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or directly onto the oven rack. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Garnish: Once the pizza is out of the oven, scatter fresh basil leaves over the hot, melty cheese. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil generously over the pizza for that authentic Margherita flavor.
- Slice and Serve:
- Use a pizza cutter to slice your Margherita pizza into slices and serve immediately. Enjoy the simple and delightful taste of Italy!
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