Classic Margherita Pizza
A classic Italian pizza topped with fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, perfect for a quick and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
Toppings
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) with a baking stone inside if available.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured pizza peel or a piece of parchment paper.
- Spread the crushed tomatoes over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Arrange the mozzarella slices over the tomato sauce, then sprinkle with oregano and basil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and let cool for a few minutes before slicing.
Notes
For a crisper crust, preheat the oven with a baking stone for at least 30 minutes before baking.