Learn how to make a delicious homemade Margherita pizza right in your own kitchen! You will love the fresh taste of this easy to make “Margherita” style Italian pizza. This pizza recipe makes a great lunch or dinner that the whole family will enjoy. So, follow along our recipe and learn step-by-step how to make your own yummy Margherita Pizza!
Learn How to Easily Make a Delicious Margherita Pizza
What is Margherita Pizza?
Margherita pizza is a classic Italian pizza that typically features simple and fresh ingredients. It is named after Queen Margherita of Italy and is said to represent the colors of the Italian flag with its red tomatoes, white mozzarella cheese, and green basil leaves. It’s a beautiful food presentation with the flavors of the best pizza parlor.
- This recipe is versatile as it serves 4 individual size pizzas, 2 large or 1 sheet pan pizza.
Ingredients Needed for Margherita Pizza:
- sugar
- active dry yeast
- extra virgin olive oil
- flour
- marinara sauce
- fresh mozzarella
- fresh basil leaves
Step-by Step on How to Make Margherita Pizza
Step 1. Add water to a large bowl, followed by the sugar and salt. Briefly stir and pour the dry yeast on the top of the water. Allow to sit for a few minutes until the yeast becomes bubbly and active.
Step 2. Stir in the olive oil and stir to combine. Gradually incorporate the flour into the bowl using a large wooden spoon or your hands. Mix just until a slightly wet and sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for at least 2-3 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 3. Sprinkle flour onto a clean work surface and lightly coat your hands with additional flour. Drop the dough onto the prepared work surface and gently work the flour into dough. Divide the dough into 4 pieces and form into balls. Cover and allow the balls to rest and rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 450° F.
Step 4. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with a piece of parchment paper and dust with flour. On an oiled surface, gently roll out each ball of pizza dough with a rolling pin or use your hands for a more rustic style pizza. Each pizza should be approximately 10 inches in size.
Step 5. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with a piece of parchment paper and dust with flour. On an oiled surface, gently roll out each ball of pizza dough with a rolling pin or use your hands for a more rustic style pizza. Each pizza should be approximately 10 inches in size.
Step 6. Transfer the pizza crusts to the prepared baking sheets and evenly spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on each crust, then top each with 1/4th of the sliced mozzarella.
Step 7. Bake until the pizza crust is golden brown, and the mozzarella is melted and bubbly, approximately 8-12 minutes. Depending on your oven size you may need to bake in two batches. If baking both baking sheets at the same time, rotate at the 1/2-way mark to ensure even cooking.
Step 8. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for several minutes before drizzling with olive oil and adding fresh basil leaves to the top.
- Alternatively, you can make one family-style sheet pan pizza, increasing the bake time by 3-4 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cooked through. Enjoy Your Pizza!
- 1-1/2 cups very warm water 110˚-115°F
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1-3/4 teaspoons salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3-3/4 cups flour + extra as needed
- 2 cups prepared marinara sauce
- 16 oz. fresh mozzarella thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves roughly torn
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
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Add water to a large bowl, followed by the sugar and salt. Briefly stir and pour the dry yeast on the top of the water. Allow to sit for a few minutes until the yeast becomes bubbly and active.
-
Stir in the olive oil and stir to combine. Gradually incorporate the flour into the bowl using a large wooden spoon or your hands. Mix just until a slightly wet and sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for at least 2-3 hours, or until it doubles in size.
-
Sprinkle flour onto a clean work surface and lightly coat your hands with additional flour. Drop the dough onto the prepared work surface and gently work the flour into dough. Divide the dough into 4 pieces and form into balls. Cover and allow the balls to rest and rise for 30 minutes.
-
Preheat the oven to 450° F.
-
Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with a piece of parchment paper and dust with flour. On an oiled surface, gently roll out each ball of pizza dough with a rolling pin or use your hands for a more rustic style pizza. Each pizza should be approximately 10 inches in size.
-
Transfer the pizza crusts to the prepared baking sheets and evenly spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on each crust, then top each with 1/4th of the sliced mozzarella.
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Bake until the pizza crust is golden brown, and the mozzarella is melted and bubbly, approximately 8-12 minutes. Depending on your oven size you may need to bake in two batches. If baking both baking sheets at the same time, rotate at the 1/2-way mark to ensure even cooking.
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Remove from oven and set aside to cool for several minutes before drizzling with olive oil and adding fresh basil leaves to the top.
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Alternatively, you can make one family-style sheet pan pizza, increasing the bake time by 3-4 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cooked through.
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Enjoy!
Why We Love Margherita Pizza
If you are a thin crust pizza lover then this type of pizza is for you. We love thinner crust pizzas where the crispy crust, marina sauce and cheese all seem to balance each other out. If you are a pizza lover like we are, learn how to make your own easy homemade Marinara sauce. Marinara Tomato Sauce Recipe
What to Serve with Margherita Pizza?
- A simple salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pizza.
- Since Margherita pizza already features tomatoes and mozzarella, a Caprese salad (tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil) makes for a thematic and delicious side dish.
- Create an antipasto platter with a variety of cured meats, olives, marinated vegetables, and cheeses. It adds diversity to the meal and allows everyone to pick their favorite bites.
- Serve a classic bruschetta with diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil on toasted bread. It complements the flavors of the Margherita pizza.
- Garlic Knots or Breadsticks – These can be a tasty and comforting addition, especially if you’re looking for more carbs to accompany the meal.
- Consider serving a simple pasta dish, like spaghetti aglio e olio or a light pasta primavera, for a more substantial meal. Easy Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil
- Wine – Pair your Margherita pizza with a light and crisp white wine or a fruity red wine, such as a Pinot Grigio or Chianti.
Do you LOVE Pizza as Much As We Do?
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