Classic Margherita Pizza Recipe
Margherita pizza, with its simple yet vibrant ingredients, is a timeless Italian favorite that has captivated taste buds for generations. This recipe celebrates the essence of Italian cooking—using fresh, high-quality ingredients and letting each one shine. Margherita pizza isn’t just a meal; it’s a journey back to 19th-century Naples, where it was first crafted as a tribute to Italy’s queen and the colors of the Italian flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil.
The beauty of Margherita pizza lies in its simplicity. Unlike other heavily topped pizzas, this classic pie allows the ingredients to speak for themselves, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. The crust, made from a carefully crafted dough, is the foundation of any great pizza. Soft yet chewy, with a hint of crispness on the outside, it complements the tangy, rich tomato sauce layered on top. To achieve this, our recipe focuses on a traditional pizza dough, combining flour, yeast, olive oil, salt, and just the right amount of water to create a dough that’s easy to work with, yielding a crust that’s perfect for absorbing the flavors of the sauce and cheese.
The tomato sauce is another essential element that brings out the pizza’s authentic taste. It’s made from fresh, blanched, and peeled tomatoes, mixed with aromatic ingredients like garlic, onion, and celery to provide a depth of flavor. The sauce is slow-cooked to bring out the sweetness and slight acidity of the tomatoes, balanced with the earthiness of dried oregano and a hint of basil. A pinch of sugar is optional, but it can help mellow the tomatoes’ natural acidity, giving the sauce a smoother finish. The addition of fresh basil at the end of cooking not only enhances the fragrance but also adds a subtle peppery note that complements the sauce’s richness.
When it comes to toppings, Margherita pizza stays true to its minimalist roots with just mozzarella cheese and basil leaves. Mozzarella, known for its melting quality, turns soft and bubbly in the oven, creating a delightful creaminess without overpowering the other ingredients. Fresh basil leaves are placed either before or after baking, depending on preference, adding a burst of color and a refreshing herbal note with every bite.
The final result is a pizza that embodies the spirit of Italy—a balance of flavors where each ingredient has a role, yet none overshadow the others. Every bite offers the crispiness of the crust, the vibrant tang of tomato, the creamy mozzarella, and the aromatic basil, creating a pizza experience that is simple yet unforgettable.
Classic Margherita Pizza Recipe
Indulge in the flavors of an authentic Margherita pizza made from scratch, featuring a soft, chewy crust, and a rich tomato sauce topped with fresh basil. This classic recipe combines simple, quality ingredients for a traditional taste that’s hard to beat.
Ingredients:
Pizza Dough:
- 500 grams all-purpose flour
- 7-8 grams active dry yeast
- 10 grams salt
- 10 grams sugar
- 50 grams olive oil
- Approximately 250 grams warm water
Tomato Sauce:
- 100 grams olive oil
- 100 grams finely chopped onion
- 30 grams chopped celery
- 50 grams minced garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- 150 grams tomato paste
- 500 grams fresh tomatoes (blanched, peeled, and chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- Sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Method:
Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Dough
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the yeast with a little warm water (from the 250 grams) and a pinch of sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and olive oil. Add the activated yeast mixture and gradually pour in the remaining warm water. Mix everything together until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle a little more flour as needed.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Make the Tomato Sauce
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and translucent.
- Add Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the bay leaf, dried oregano, and tomato paste. Mix well to combine.
- Cook the Tomatoes: Add the chopped fresh tomatoes and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat and let it cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Season the Sauce: After cooking, season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the flavor with a pinch of sugar if needed.
- Add Fresh Basil: Tear the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce for a burst of flavor.
- Remove Bay Leaf: Once the sauce is done, discard the bay leaf and set the sauce aside to cool slightly.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Pizza
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to its highest setting (about 250°C / 482°F) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to heat up.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 2-3 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then, on a floured surface, gently stretch or roll the dough into a thin, round pizza base.
- Add the Sauce: Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the pizza base, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Top with mozzarella cheese slices and fresh basil leaves.
- Bake the Pizza: Carefully place the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve Hot: Remove the pizza from the oven, slice, and serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.
Here is the approximate nutrition information for one 12-inch Margherita pizza (serving size: 1 pizza), based on typical ingredient quantities. Please note that values may vary slightly depending on the specific ingredients used.
Nutrition Facts (Per Pizza)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1,120 kcal |
| Total Fat | 45 g |
| – Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Cholesterol | 40 mg |
| Sodium | 2,500 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 148 g |
| – Dietary Fiber | 8 g |
| – Sugars | 14 g |
| Protein | 30 g |
| Calcium | 400 mg |
| Iron | 8 mg |
| Vitamin C | 25 mg |
| Potassium | 1,400 mg |
Breakdown by Key Ingredients
- Pizza Dough:
- Calories: ~600 kcal (for one pizza base)
- Carbohydrates: ~110 g
- Fat: ~15 g
- Protein: ~14 g
- Tomato Sauce:
- Calories: ~150 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~25 g
- Fat: ~10 g
- Protein: ~3 g
- Mozzarella Cheese (125g for 1 pizza):
- Calories: ~280 kcal
- Fat: ~20 g
- Protein: ~18 g
- Olive Oil (used for sauce and dough):
- Calories: ~170 kcal
- Fat: ~20 g
Here’s the ingredient list for making Margherita pizza for 2 people (1 medium pizza) and 4 people (2 medium pizzas):
Ingredients for 2 People (1 Medium Pizza)
Pizza Dough:
- 250 grams all-purpose flour
- 4 grams active dry yeast
- 5 grams salt
- 5 grams sugar
- 25 grams olive oil
- Approximately 125 grams warm water
Tomato Sauce:
- 50 grams olive oil
- 50 grams finely chopped onion
- 15 grams chopped celery
- 25 grams minced garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- 75 grams tomato paste
- 250 grams fresh tomatoes (blanched, peeled, and chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 handful fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
- Sugar (optional, to taste)
Toppings:
- 125 grams mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Ingredients for 4 People (2 Medium Pizzas)
Pizza Dough:
- 500 grams all-purpose flour
- 7-8 grams active dry yeast
- 10 grams salt
- 10 grams sugar
- 50 grams olive oil
- Approximately 250 grams warm water
Tomato Sauce:
- 100 grams olive oil
- 100 grams finely chopped onion
- 30 grams chopped celery
- 50 grams minced garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- 150 grams tomato paste
- 500 grams fresh tomatoes (blanched, peeled, and chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- Sugar (optional, to taste)
Toppings:
- 250 grams mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
