Pizza Margherita is a traditional Italian dish made from simple and delicious ingredients that never changes its taste or texture from decades.
This authentic, classic recipe who, love pizza due its thin crust that is also crispy and there are also fresh tomato sauce over it along with mozzarella cheese. Which makes it so creamy as well as basil leaves for aroma. If there ever was art in culinary arts then this one would surely qualify for this status since you are able to cope up with it easily on your own initiative never forgetting about bringing along some extra flavors such as other spices or toppings depending on how you like them most in terms of taste attaintment.
So let’s get down into exact details of preparation process regarding a delicious Margherita Pizza to become fond of right now!
Ingredients required for the Classic Italian Pizza Margherita:
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For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
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For the Sauce:
- 1 cup canned San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- A pinch of sugar (optional)
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For the Toppings:
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Classic Italian Homemade Pizza Margherita Recipe Guide:
1. Prepare the Dough first:
- Activate the Yeast: Place warm water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Leave it for about 4-5 minutes until it foams to indicate that yeast is ready.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, put the flour and salt. And make a well in the center then add some yeast mixture and olive oil together. Now, mix well and make the perfect dough.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the batter to an area that has been mix with flour as it is kneaded until smooth and elastic, for approximately 8-10 minute. Feel free to put extra flour incase stickiness results.
- Let it Rise: One should put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, then put a wet piece of cloth over it, and then, let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-2 hours or until it increases twofold.
2. Prepare the Sauce for Italian Pizza Margherita:
- Cook the Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, before you introduce the minced garlic and sauté for several minutes ranging from one to two until it becomes fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes with a mixture of salt, pepper and pinch of sugar if you like. Allow it to simmer for about 10-15 minutes to slightly thicken.
3. Assemble the Pizza:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating the oven to 475°F (245°C). In case you have a pizza stone then put it in the oven for warming up.
- Shape the Dough: Once dough rises, push dough and move to floured surface. Shape or make the dough longer or wider to make it 12 inches wide circle.
- Add the Sauce: Leave a small border at the edges and spread the dough with a thin layer of tomato sauce.
- Add the Toppings: These slices of mozzarella should cover the sauce uniformly. After that, you can tear some fresh basil leaves and then sprinkle on top of cheese. Finally add some salt and pepper together with a bit of extra virgin oil, drizzling as they season.
Perfectly Baked Classic Italian Pizza Margherita, Image Source: Sharpinn.com
4. Bake the Pizza:
- Bake:
Carefully transfer the pizza onto a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and cheese bubbles and browns a little bit.
- Serve: Take out pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for a minute before slicing it. Then cut into pieces and serving it right away. Now you can enjoy this Yummy Classic Homemade Pizza Margherita.
You can also check this videos from Vincenzo’s Plate.
FAQs:
Can I use a store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, you can. If you want to save the time or you are in hurry, then you can straightly bought the fresh dough from the nearest market.
What other toppings can I add?
Although the regular cheese pizza is simple, different toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, olives or a little heat from red pepper flakes can make it more personal for you.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Actually yeah! If you are usually a pizza lover, you can make the dough little bit more and keep it in the refregerator for later use. This dough can be stored around for 3 days.
Is there a gluten-free option?
You can use gluten-free flour to make the dough. You can get the flour from the market and make the dough at home
How do I store leftover pizza?
Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or on a skillet to maintain the crust’s crispiness.
I hope you liked this simple and best explained classic Italian Pizza Margherita Recipe right? I hope so!. Let’s make this delicious pizza at you home and enjoy it with your family and friends. Please share you experiences through your reaction. Although, feel free to email us with your valuable suggestion and messages. Thank You.
