Easy Homemade Pizza Margherita

Pizza Margherita is a beloved classic in the world of Italian cuisine. This dish was created during the late 19th century and has since become a symbol of Italy’s culinary heritage. The simplicity of this recipe—tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and olive oil—reflects its profound appeal. In this article, we will guide you through making your own Pizza Margherita at home.

The cooking time for this dish is approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your dough and how crispy you prefer it to be. You can easily prepare this pizza for two servings, but with some adjustments, it can be multiplied according to your needs.

Ingredients

For the pizza dough:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 packet of fast-acting yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for greasing
• 3/4 cup warm water

For the pizza sauce:

• 2 cups fresh cherry tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Pizza Dough:

1. Start by combining the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
2. Add the olive oil and warm water into this mixture. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process should take about 10 minutes.
3. Lightly grease a clean bowl with some olive oil, then place your kneaded dough inside. Cover it with another layer of grease-free plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for around an hour until doubled in size.

Pizza Sauce:

4. In the meanwhile, prepare your pizza sauce. Simply mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Ensure the tomatoes are well chopped and the flavors meld together nicely.

Assembly & Cooking

Cooking:

5. Once your dough has risen, lightly flour your workspace. Take out a portion of the dough to form a ball about 10 inches in diameter.
6. Gently stretch and shape this into a pizza base. Place it on an ungreased baking sheet or pizza stone.
7. Evenly spread the prepared sauce over the dough, ensuring you don’t cover every inch of the base to leave room for the toppings.
8. Cut your mozzarella cheese into thin slices and arrange them over the tomato sauce. Finally, sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top.

Once everything is arranged properly:

6. Bake in a preheated oven at 475°F (240°C) for about 12-15 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and crispy. The baking time can vary slightly based on your specific oven.

Serving: Slice the pizza into slices and serve hot with a side of fresh salad if desired.

Tips for Success

• To make sure your pizza dough is not too sticky, dust your work surface thoroughly before shaping.
• For a crispier crust, preheat the oven’s broiler or bake the pizza on a baking stone if available. This helps in achieving that perfect balance of crispy and tender textures.

Pizza Margherita is not only delicious but also an excellent showcase for your culinary skills. Whether you're preparing it for yourself, friends, family, or as part of a larger menu, this iconic pizza will surely impress. Enjoy creating and sharing this classic dish with loved ones.

The combination of simple yet high-quality ingredients turns out to be a delightful treat in the form of Pizza Margherita. Dive into its preparation today, and experience the magic behind this beloved Italian creation!