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Authentic Pizza Margherita

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  • Author: Amy
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 pizzas
  • Category: Main Course, Italian, Pizza
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Create an authentic Pizza Margherita in the comfort of your kitchen with this traditional recipe from Naples. Featuring a thin, crispy crust topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and fragrant basil leaves, this simple yet delicious pizza is a celebration of Italian flavors. The vibrant red, white, and green colors represent the Italian flag, making it a true Italian classic. Perfect for a family dinner or special occasion, this recipe is sure to become a favorite!


Ingredients

  • 3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 package (0.25 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1 pinch white sugar
  • ¼ cup flour for dusting
  • 2 cups pizza sauce
  • 20 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 20 leaves fresh basil
  • Olive oil
  • Sea salt to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare the Dough

    • In a bowl, mix 3½ cups of flour with 1 teaspoon of salt.
    • In a separate large bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water, 1 package of active dry yeast, and a pinch of white sugar. Let it sit until the yeast forms a creamy foam (about 5 minutes).
    • Gradually add half of the flour mixture to the yeast mixture and stir until no dry spots remain. Add the remaining flour mixture in ½ cup increments, mixing well after each addition.
    • When the dough pulls together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes).
  • First Rise

    • Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in it, and turn to coat with oil.
    • Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F) until doubled in volume (about 1 hour).
  • Divide and Shape

    • Punch down the dough, divide it into 4 equal pieces, and form each piece into a ball.
  • Preheat Oven

    • Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone inside.
  • Assemble the Pizzas

    • Stretch each dough ball into a 10–12 inch circle. Place each circle on a lightly floured pizza peel.
    • Spread ½ cup of pizza sauce over each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges.
    • Arrange 5 slices of mozzarella cheese on each pizza and top with 5 basil leaves. Drizzle each pizza with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt to taste.
  • Bake

    • Slide each pizza onto the preheated pizza stone in the oven. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown (5 to 7 minutes).

Notes

  • For a crispy crust, use a preheated pizza stone and bake at a high temperature.
  • Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Vegan: Use plant-based mozzarella cheese as an alternative.
  • Store any leftover pizza in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven for about 5 minutes.