Pizza Margherita
This Pizza Margherita recipe is a delightful way to bring the taste of Italy into your home. It's simple to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Give this pizza recipe from scratch a try for your next pizza night or casual gathering. Trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds!
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 pizza stone
- 1 Pizza Cutter
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 3 ⅓ cups pizza flour type 00, about 400 grams
- 0.25 oz fresh yeast or 1 teaspoon active dry yeast, about 7 grams fresh or 3 grams dry
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water 240 ml
Sauce
- 1 ¼ cups tomato passata 300 grams
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
Toppings
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese for pizza 350 grams
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- A few fresh basil leaves
Instructions
Pizza Dough
- Place the flour in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the salt around the edges of the bowl, keeping it away from where you'll add the yeast.
- Make a well in the center of the flour and add the crumbled fresh yeast. Pour the warm water over the yeast.
- Mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon until combined. Then, knead the dough by hand for 10-15 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.
- Lightly coat the dough and the inside of the bowl with a bit of olive oil. Cover the dough with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap touches the dough to prevent it from drying out. Allow room for the dough to expand.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for at least one hour.
Prepare the Sauce
- In a separate bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix well.
Shaping the Dough
- After the dough has risen, divide it into three equal parts for three pizzas.
- Lightly knead each portion and let them rest on a warm spot for about 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle some flour on a piece of parchment paper or your work surface.
- Using your fingers, shape each dough ball into a disk. Gently press and stretch the dough from the center outward, aiming for a thinner center and slightly thicker edges. You can also lift the dough and use your thumbs to stretch it into a circle.
Assembling and Baking the Pizza
- Preheat your oven to 435°F (225°C). If your oven can go higher, you can adjust the temperature accordingly.
- Spread the sauce evenly over each dough circle.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with dried basil.
- Bake each pizza in the preheated oven for about 9 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately brush the entire surface, including the crust, with olive oil using a pastry brush.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving. Enjoy!