Description
This classic Margherita Pizza recipe delivers a perfect combination of fresh mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce, and aromatic basil on a crisp, homemade crust. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create an authentic Italian pizza experience right at home in just under 1.5 hours.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves, as needed
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt throughout the flour.
- Form Dough: Pour the activated yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form, then knead on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Let Dough Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 475°F (245°C) and position a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat simultaneously.
- Roll Out Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface to your preferred thickness, making a circular pizza base.
- Prepare Pizza Base: Transfer the rolled-out dough carefully onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Add Sauce: Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Add Toppings: Arrange fresh mozzarella slices evenly on top of the tomato sauce, then scatter fresh basil leaves over the cheese.
- Bake Pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Season and Serve: Remove from oven, season with salt and pepper to taste, slice, and serve hot.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, use a pizza stone preheated in the oven.
- Fresh mozzarella with high moisture content may release water while baking; patting it dry can help prevent sogginess.
- You can substitute tomato sauce with crushed San Marzano tomatoes for a more authentic flavor.
- Allowing the dough to rise longer can enhance flavor but ensure it doesn’t overproof.
- Basil leaves can be added fresh after baking for a more vibrant taste and color.
