Classic Margherita Pizza Recipe

April 10, 2014
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Nothing beats a classic pizza margherita! It’s one of the most popular flavors around the world and Italy. I make mine with homemade pizza dough, delicious tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. If you appreciate the flavors of a simple yet delicious pizza, this is the recipe for you! Plus, it’s super easy to make! Want to receive new recipe emails in your inbox? Make sure to subscribe to my website and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!

Ingredients for Classic Margherita Pizza

Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious pizza recipe:

Dry Active Yeast: for making the homemade pizza dough. You can also use instant yeast. The dough will just proof faster.
Olive Oil
Sugar, Salt, Egg, Flour: for making the dough.
Tomato Sauce: make your own tomato sauce with dried herbs and garlic, or use a store-bought pizza sauce.
Mozzarella Cheese: use sliced, fresh cheese for topping the pizza.
Heirloom Tomatoes: juicy and flavorful tomatoes make a huge difference! Organic heirloom tomatoes are the best!
Fresh Basil: for topping the pizza.

Making Homemade Pizza Dough

This is the one and only recipe for pizza dough that’s been in my family for decades! It’s not a traditional Italian pizza dough but it’s so delicious and perfect for this pizza recipe!

First, warm the milk and water until it’s lukewarm; I usually use a microwave for heating the liquids.
Next, add in the sugar and yeast and allow yeast to proof for about 5 minutes. Add in the oil, egg and salt and whisk together for about 1 to 2 minutes, until the egg is well beaten. Gradually begin adding the flour, mixing with a wooden spoon until soft dough forms.
Knead the soft dough on a well floured work surface for 4 to 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a clean mixing bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel and let the dough rest and proof for 30 minutes.

How to Make Margherita Pizza

You’ll love how easy it is to make this pizza margherita!

Once the dough has proofed, preheat the oven to 425F. Also prepare a pizza pan or a pizza stone. Once the dough has rested, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half or into thirds, depending on how large you want the pizza to be. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to desired size, then transfer onto the prepared pan or stone.
In small bowl combine all ingredients for tomato sauce: tomato sauce, garlic and dried herbs. Stir to combine and then spread the prepared sauce evenly over the dough. Top the pizza evenly with slices of cheese, tomato, thyme and basil leaves. Season it lightly with salt and pepper.
If you prefer your pizza dough on the thin side, do not proof the dough again, place the pizza directly into oven. If you like a more thick crusted pizza, let the dough rise for another 30 minutes before baking.
Bake in preheated oven at 425F for 15 to 18 minutes until cheese melts completely. If your tomatoes are very juicy, you can remove excess juice gently with a paper towel. Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

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More Recipes!

Enjoyed this delicious pizza recipe? Check out my ‘Prosciutto & Arugula Pizza’ video recipe for step-by-step instructions for making the pizza dough!

Bacon & Garlic Rolls – these amazing dinner rolls are stuffed with bacon bits, cheddar cheese and garlic butter!
Classic Meat & Cheese Lasagna – the most delicious Italian lasagna with bolognese sauce, ricotta cheese and bechamel sauce!

classic pizza margherita with homemade pizza dough recipe

Classic Pizza Margherita Recipe

1 prep + 20 cook

servings

Easy and delicious recipe for classic margherita pizza, with homemade pizza dough, tomato sauce, tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella cheese!

Ingredients

For Pizza Dough:

1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup warm milk
2 tsp dry active yeast
1 large egg
5 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For Tomato Sauce:

10 oz tomato sauce
3 to 4 garlic cloves, pressed or finely minced
1/2 tsp EACH: salt, dried basil, dried oregano, black pepper

For Topping:

16 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced thinly
2 extra large heirloom tomatoes, sliced
15 to 20 fresh basil leaves
5 sprigs fresh thyme, stems removed
salt and black pepper

Instructions

Making the Pizza Dough:

This recipe will prepare 2 large pizzas or 3 small ones. Prepare the dough first: combine the water and milk in a measuring cup and heat in microwave until the liquids are lukewarm to touch. You can also do this on the stove top. Add in the sugar and yeast and allow yeast to proof for about 5 minutes. Next, add in the oil, egg and salt and whisk together for about 1 to 2 minutes, until the egg is well beaten. Gradually begin adding the flour, mixing with a wooden spoon until soft dough forms.
Knead the soft dough on a well floured work surface for 4 to 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a clean mixing bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel and let the dough rest and proof for 30 minutes.

Making the Pizza:

Preheat the oven to 425F once the dough has proofed. Also prepare a pizza pan or a pizza stone. Once the dough has rested, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half or into thirds, depending on how large you want the pizza to be. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to desired size, then transfer onto the prepared pan or stone.
In small bowl combine all ingredients for tomato sauce: tomato sauce, garlic and dried herbs. Stir to combine and then spread the prepared sauce evenly over the dough. Top the pizza evenly with slices of cheese, tomato, thyme and basil leaves. Season it lightly with salt and pepper.
If you prefer your pizza dough on the thin side, do not proof the dough again, place the pizza directly into oven. If you like a more thick crusted pizza, let the dough rise for another 30 minutes before baking.
Bake in preheated oven at 425F for 15 to 18 minutes until cheese melts completely. If your tomatoes are very juicy, you can remove excess juice gently with a paper towel. Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

Nutrition

Course:

Cuisine:

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