Heavenly Margherita Pizza Recipe: Rustic Italian Bliss at Home

Pizza margherita brings pure italian magic straight to your kitchen with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Crisp dough becomes the perfect canvas for vibrant san marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

Naples birthed this classic combination decades ago, celebrating simplicity and quality.

Basil leaves scattered across the surface add bright green bursts of herbaceous excitement.

Authentic recipes demand high-quality ingredients that sing when baked to golden perfection.

Every slice promises a taste of mediterranean sunshine and culinary tradition.

You can create restaurant-worthy magic with just a few carefully selected components.

Why Margherita Pizza Is a Classic Favorite

• Capture Classic Italian Flavors: Savor the authentic taste of a traditional Margherita pizza with simple, fresh ingredients that transport you straight to Naples.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Whip up this delicious pizza in minimal time, perfect for busy families or last-minute dinner solutions that everyone will love.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Easily adapt the recipe by adding personal touches like extra herbs, different cheese varieties, or additional toppings to suit your taste preferences.
• Impress Without Stress: Achieve restaurant-quality results at home with basic cooking skills and readily available ingredients, making you feel like a pro chef without complicated techniques.

Margherita Pizza Ingredients to Use

• Pizza Dough: A flexible foundation that provides the perfect canvas for toppings.
• Tomato Paste: The rich, concentrated base for creating a flavorful pizza sauce.
• Water: Helps blend and thin the tomato paste for a smooth sauce consistency.

• Mozzarella Cheese: A classic stretchy cheese that melts beautifully and creates a creamy layer.
• Butter: Adds a golden shine and rich flavor to the pizza crust edges.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a sharp, salty finish to enhance the overall taste.

• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps blend the pizza sauce ingredients.
• Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Marjoram: A blend of aromatic herbs that create depth in the pizza sauce.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the flavors of the sauce and toppings.

• Tomato Slices: Fresh, juicy slices that add color and natural sweetness.
• Basil Leaves: A classic herb that brings a fresh, aromatic touch to the pizza.

Step-by-Step Margherita Pizza Instructions

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to the temperature recommended on the pizza crust package for perfect golden results.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Sauce

• Tomato paste
• Olive oil
• Water
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Marjoram
• Salt

Simmer the mixture in a saucepan until it reaches a rich, thick consistency.

Step 3: Prepare The Pizza Base

Dust your work surface with flour and gently roll out the pizza dough.

Carefully transfer the dough to a pizza stone or baking sheet.

Step 4: Spread The Sauce

Evenly distribute the homemade sauce across the entire surface of the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 5: Add Cheese Layer

Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, creating a smooth and even coverage.

Step 6: Decorate With Fresh Toppings

Artfully arrange fresh tomato slices and vibrant basil leaves across the cheese layer.

Step 7: Enhance The Crust

Melt butter and gently brush the edges of the pizza crust to create a golden, crispy finish.

Step 8: Final Cheese Touch

Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top for an extra burst of flavor.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Place the pizza in the oven and bake according to the pizza crust package instructions until the crust turns a beautiful golden brown and the cheese becomes wonderfully bubbly.

Step 10: Serve And Enjoy

Slice the pizza into wedges and serve hot, allowing everyone to savor the authentic Italian flavors.

Pro Tips for Perfect Margherita Pizza

• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or garlic powder to the pizza sauce for an extra kick of taste.
• Brush olive oil instead of butter on the crust edges for a more authentic Italian flavor and crispy texture.
• Use fresh mozzarella di bufala for a more authentic and creamy taste compared to regular shredded mozzarella.
• Tear fresh basil leaves instead of cutting them to release more aromatic oils and enhance the pizza's overall flavor.
• Let the pizza rest for 2-3 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and prevent burning your mouth.

Flavor Variations for Margherita Pizza

• Gluten-Free Margherita: Replace traditional pizza dough with cauliflower crust or gluten-free pre-made pizza base for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Margherita: Swap mozzarella and parmesan with plant-based cheese alternatives like cashew or almond cheese, and use vegan butter for crust brushing.
• Low-Carb Margherita: Use zucchini or eggplant as a base instead of traditional pizza dough, maintaining classic toppings while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean Herb Margherita: Enhance the original recipe by adding oregano, thyme, and a sprinkle of za'atar spice blend for extra Mediterranean flavor profile.

Serving Ideas for Margherita Pizza

• Flavor Fusion Feast: Pair this classic Margherita pizza with a crisp arugula salad dressed in light lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.
• Wine Lover's Delight: Complement the pizza's rich flavors with a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio or a light Chianti, enhancing the tomato and cheese notes.
• Fresh Finish: Garnish with extra fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil just before serving to boost the aromatic experience.
• Casual Gathering Tip: Cut pizza into smaller squares for easy sharing at parties, making it perfect for appetizers or casual get-togethers with friends.

Storing Margherita Pizza Correctly

• Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months to maintain best quality and taste.
• Restore crispy crust by placing pizza slices on a preheated baking sheet at 375°F for 8-10 minutes. This method helps revive the original texture and melts cheese evenly.
• Warm pizza slices in a covered skillet over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes. This technique helps crisp the bottom while keeping toppings moist and fresh.

FAQs

• Can I make my own pizza dough from scratch?

Yes, you can easily make homemade pizza dough using flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil. Knead the dough, let it rise for about an hour, and then roll it out for your Margherita pizza.

• What type of tomatoes work best for this recipe?

Fresh Roma or San Marzano tomatoes are ideal because they’re less watery and have a rich, sweet flavor that complements the mozzarella and basil perfectly.

• Is it necessary to use fresh basil leaves?

Fresh basil is recommended for authentic flavor and aroma, but you can use dried basil if fresh isn’t available. Just use about one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh.

Margherita Pizza Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Homemade Margherita pizza delivers authentic Italian flavors straight from Naples with fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and San Marzano tomato sauce. Simple ingredients and classic techniques make this recipe a delightful culinary journey you can savor slice by slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 Pizza Crust (Tiseos Frozen Pizza Dough)
• 1 3/4 cups (about 8 ounces) Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 Roma Tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup Pizza Sauce
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Toppings and Herbs:

• 10 Large Basil Leaves

Pizza Sauce Ingredients:

• 6 ounces Tomato paste
• 1/4 cup Olive oil
• 1 cup Water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Oregano
• 3/4 teaspoon Rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground sage
• 1/4 teaspoon Marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Butter

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Instructions

1. Craft the aromatic pizza sauce by blending tomato paste, olive oil, water, and a medley of herbs (oregano, rosemary, sage, marjoram) with a pinch of salt in a saucepan, simmering until richly thickened.
2. Dust a clean surface with flour and gently roll out the pizza dough into a uniform circular shape.
3. Carefully transfer the stretched dough onto a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.
4. Lavishly spread the prepared sauce across the dough, ensuring even coverage to the edges.
5. Create a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, covering the entire surface.
6. Artfully arrange vibrant tomato slices and fresh basil leaves atop the cheese.
7. Gently melt butter and delicately brush the outer crust edges for a golden, crispy finish.
8. Sprinkle a delicate layer of grated parmesan cheese across the pizza.
9. Bake in a preheated oven at the temperature specified on the pizza crust package, typically around 425°F (218°C), until the crust turns a beautiful golden brown and the cheese bubbles enticingly.
10. Remove from the oven, slice into wedges, and serve piping hot for maximum flavor and enjoyment.

Notes

• Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients like ripe tomatoes and fresh basil for the most authentic Margherita pizza flavor.
• Experiment with homemade pizza dough for a more authentic texture and taste compared to store-bought crusts.
• Drain excess moisture from tomato slices to prevent a soggy pizza base and ensure a crispy crust.
• Consider using a pizza stone or preheated baking sheet to achieve a perfectly crisp bottom and restaurant-style crust.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 530 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg