Italian-American Free recipe

Margherita Pizza

If you have never made Margherita Pizza at home, this is the version to start with: classic thin-crust pizza with tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Plan on roughly 90 minutes from start to finish, and it serves 3.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 70 min Total: 90 min

90Minutes

3Servings

4.7Rating

MediumLevel

Why you'll love this recipe

Leftovers hold up well for lunch the next day.
The components can be made ahead and reheated without losing quality.
A short, straightforward ingredient list with no special equipment needed.

Ingredients

Makes 3 servings

1 lb pizza dough, room temperature
3/4 cup crushed tomatoes
1 clove garlic minced
1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for the crust
8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
fresh basil leaves
1/2 tsp salt

Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

365Calories

30gFat

5gCarbs

19gProtein

Estimated from the ingredients above; actual values vary by brand and exact measurements.

Method

Step 1
Heat the oven as hot as it goes (475-500 degrees F) with a baking sheet or pizza stone inside for 30 minutes.
Step 2
Mix the crushed tomatoes with the garlic, salt, and 1 tbsp olive oil.
Step 3
On a floured surface, gently stretch the dough into a 12-inch round. Do not use a rolling pin - press from the center out with your fingers.
Step 4
Move the dough to a piece of parchment. Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce, leaving a border for the crust.
Step 5
Dot with the mozzarella and drizzle the crust edge with olive oil.
Step 6
Slide onto the hot sheet and bake 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is puffed and spotty brown and the cheese is melted.
Step 7
Scatter with fresh basil, slice, and serve.

Cook's tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving -- salt levels vary a lot between brands of broth, sauce, and canned goods.
Prep all the ingredients before you start cooking; this one moves quickly once it is on the heat.

Keep cooking