The Classic Pizza Margherita: A Taste of Italy in Your Own Home

There are few dishes that can claim to capture the essence of Italian food quite like Pizza Margherita. This simple yet scrumptious classic is devoured worldwide for its perfect harmony of fresh ingredients and old-school cooking. With a crispy, thin crust, rich tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, preparing an authentic Pizza Margherita at home is simpler than you might think!

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (240ml) warm water
2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Toppings:

1 cup canned San Marzano tomatoes (crushed)
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon black pepper
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced)
8–10 fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough

In a bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough is formed.
Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
Put in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Pizza Sauce

In a bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, olive oil, salt, oregano, and black pepper.
Let stand to allow flavors to develop while the dough rises.

3. Form the Dough

Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C) or as high as it will go.
If using a pizza stone, put it in the oven to preheat.
Roll out dough on a floured surface to a 12-inch round.

4. Top the Pizza

Put dough on a pizza peel or baking sheet.
Spread tomato sauce evenly over the surface.
Add sliced mozzarella and some fresh basil leaves.

5. Bake to Perfection

Slide onto preheated pizza stone or bake in a sheet.
Bake at 7–10 minutes or until crust golden and cheese bubbles.
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil upon serving.

📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Make the Ultimate Pizza Margherita

🍕 Pizza Stone – Get that crispy, golden crust just like your favorite pizzeria.
🔪 Pizza Cutter – Slice cleanly through melted cheese and toppings with ease.
🍅 San Marzano Tomatoes – The gold standard for rich, flavorful pizza sauce.
🧀 Fresh Mozzarella Cheese – Creamy, authentic texture that melts beautifully.
🌿 Basil Seeds – Grow fragrant basil right at home for the freshest garnish.
🔥 Outdoor Pizza Oven – Achieve blistered crusts and bubbling cheese in minutes.

Conclusion

Pizza Margherita’s simplicity and authenticity make it one of the most loved pizzas worldwide. Whether for a casual meal or a special occasion, making it at home brings the taste of Italy right to your kitchen. Try it today and enjoy the perfect homemade pizza experience!