Easy Classic Margherita Pizza Recipe That’s Simply Perfect

Margherita pizza represents the ultimate culinary symphony of simplicity and flavor, celebrating traditional Italian cooking techniques.

Delicate ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious blend that redefines basic components into something extraordinary.

Passionate home cooks understand the magic behind this classic dish’s remarkable appeal.

Each carefully selected element contributes to a sensational taste experience that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Real pizza enthusiasts know authentic preparation requires attention to subtle details and genuine ingredients.

The combination of crisp crust, tangy sauce, and fresh herbs creates a perfect balance that awakens every taste bud.

You’ll fall in love with this straightforward yet incredible recipe that promises restaurant-quality results.

Why Everyone Craves Classic Margherita Pizza

• Craft Authentic Italian Flavor: Experience the pure, simple elegance of traditional Margherita pizza that transports you straight to Naples with its classic ingredients and minimal yet powerful taste profile.
• Master Quick Homemade Technique: Create restaurant-quality pizza in under an hour, learning professional dough-making skills that transform basic ingredients into a crispy, golden masterpiece with minimal kitchen experience required.
• Enjoy Nutritional Balanced Meal: Indulge in a satisfying dish packed with balanced macronutrients – offering 14g protein, moderate carbohydrates, and healthy fats while delivering a delightful culinary experience that doesn't compromise on nutrition or flavor.

Ingredients That Make Classic Margherita Pizza a Winner

• All-Purpose Flour: Strong base for creating light and crispy pizza crust with good structure.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing dough flavor and controlling yeast development.
• Active Dry Yeast: Key ingredient for making dough rise and creating airy texture.
• Water: Hydrates flour and helps develop gluten for perfect pizza dough consistency.
• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and contributes to soft, tender crust texture.

• Tomato Sauce: Fresh, bright base that provides classic pizza flavor and moisture.
• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that creates signature pizza richness.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Vibrant herb that adds fresh, aromatic finish to classic pizza.
• Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and provides subtle seasoning.
• Olive Oil: Adds final touch of richness and helps create golden crust edges.

• Parchment Paper: Helps transfer pizza smoothly and prevents sticking.
• Flour (for dusting): Prevents dough from sticking during shaping and handling.

How to Make Classic Margherita Pizza with Ease

Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Dough

Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl using a whisk until thoroughly combined.

Gradually add water while stirring with a rubber spatula to create a sticky dough mixture.

Drizzle olive oil over the dough, ensuring complete and even coating.

Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Set Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 550°F (288°C).

Place a pizza stone inside the oven to heat thoroughly for at least 45 minutes.

Step 3: Shape the Pizza Dough

Dust a clean surface with flour.

Divide the risen dough into 4 equal portions.

Gently shape each portion into a ball.

Flatten each ball into round shapes measuring 10-12 inches across.

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza

Transfer each dough round onto a parchment-lined pizza peel.

Spread tomato sauce across the dough, being careful not to overload.

Add mozzarella cheese pieces evenly.

Drizzle with olive oil.

Sprinkle sea salt to taste.

Step 5: Bake the Pizza

Carefully slide the assembled pizza onto the preheated stone in the oven.

Bake for approximately 5 minutes.

Look for golden crust edges and bubbling, melted cheese.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Remove the pizza from the oven.

Garnish with freshly torn basil leaves.

Slice and serve immediately while hot.

Top Tips for Classic Margherita Pizza Perfection

• Knead with Confidence: Work the dough gently but firmly to develop gluten without overworking, which helps create a perfectly chewy texture.
• Rest and Rise Right: Place the dough in a draft-free, warm spot like near a heating vent or inside a turned-off oven to ensure optimal rising.
• Stone Strategy: Invest in a pizza stone and preheat it thoroughly to mimic professional pizzeria conditions, guaranteeing a crispy, restaurant-style crust.
• Sauce Sparingly: Apply tomato sauce in a thin, even layer to prevent soggy centers and maintain the pizza's structural integrity.
• Fresh is Best: Use high-quality, fresh mozzarella and basil leaves to elevate the classic Margherita's authentic flavor profile and visual appeal.

Classic Margherita Pizza: How to Store and Reheat the Right Way

• Storage
• Refrigerate leftover Margherita pizza slices in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain pizza quality. Keep the container sealed to preserve moisture and prevent contamination.
• Freezing Method
• Wrap individual pizza slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Freeze pizzas for maximum 2 months to maintain optimal taste and texture. Label the bag with the date to track storage time accurately.
• Reheating Technique
• Restore crispy crust by using an oven or toaster oven instead of microwave. Preheat oven to 375°F, place pizza slices on a baking sheet, and warm for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts and crust becomes crisp again.

Tasty Sides to Serve with Classic Margherita Pizza

• Pair with Crisp Italian White Wine: Grab a chilled Pinot Grigio or Vermentino to complement the pizza's fresh tomato and basil flavors, cutting through the rich cheese and creating a perfect balance.
• Serve with Zesty Arugula Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add a peppery contrast and refreshing brightness that enhances the pizza's classic taste.
• Match with Sparkling Water with Lemon: A bubbly, citrus-infused sparkling water cleanses the palate between bites, highlighting the pizza's delicate herbs and tangy tomato sauce.
• Side with Prosciutto Antipasti: Arrange thin slices of salty prosciutto alongside the pizza to provide a delightful protein complement that elevates the entire dining experience.

Twists on the Classic Margherita Pizza Worth Trying

• Mediterranean Garden Pizza: Replace classic mozzarella with creamy feta cheese, add diced bell peppers, sliced kalamata olives, and sprinkle fresh oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile that brings Mediterranean warmth to your pizza.
• Spicy Calabrian Chili Pizza: Enhance the base with spicy Calabrian chili peppers, swap regular mozzarella for smoked provolone, and add crispy pancetta pieces to create a bold, fiery version that packs serious heat and complexity.
• Truffle Mushroom Margherita: Elevate the traditional recipe by incorporating wild mushroom medley like porcini and shiitake, drizzle white truffle oil after baking, and use aged parmesan alongside mozzarella for an earthy, luxurious gourmet experience.
• Rustic Herb Garden Pizza: Mix fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage into the dough, top with roasted garlic cloves, scatter fresh herb leaves after baking, and use a blend of ricotta and mozzarella for a fragrant, herbaceous interpretation of the classic Margherita.

Classic Margherita Pizza Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Margherita pizza celebrates Italian culinary simplicity with fresh basil, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella atop a perfectly crisp wood-fired crust. Passionate pizza enthusiasts savor each slice that connects them directly to Naples’ delicious heritage.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (512 g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
• 3 ounces (85 g) fresh mozzarella
• 2 ounces (56 g) tomato sauce

Dough Components:

• 1 teaspoon (4 g) instant yeast
• 2 to 3 teaspoons (12 g) kosher salt
• 1.75 to 2 cups (400 to 454 g) lukewarm water

Finishing Ingredients:

• Olive oil for drizzling
• 1 pinch of flaky sea salt
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

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Instructions

1. Gather the flour, salt, and active dry yeast in a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blending the dry ingredients with a whisk to ensure even distribution.
2. Create a well in the center of the dry mixture and gradually introduce lukewarm water, stirring with a rubber spatula to form a cohesive, slightly sticky dough.
3. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the dough’s surface, gently massaging to coat evenly and enhance moisture retention.
4. Envelop the bowl with a slightly dampened kitchen towel, allowing the dough to rest and rise in a draft-free, warm environment for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours until it visibly doubles in volume.
5. Position the pizza stone inside the oven and preheat to 550°F (288°C), maintaining the high temperature for a minimum of 45 minutes to ensure optimal crust crispiness.
6. Dust a clean work surface with flour and carefully divide the risen dough into four equal portions, gently shaping each into a smooth ball before delicately stretching into 10-12 inch rounds.
7. Transfer each pizza base onto parchment-lined pizza peels, spreading a thin layer of San Marzano tomato sauce, distributing fresh mozzarella cheese pieces, and adding a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
8. Sprinkle sea salt and fresh ground black pepper according to taste preferences, ensuring even seasoning across the pizza surface.
9. Slide the prepared pizza onto the scorching hot stone, baking for approximately 4-5 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese becomes perfectly melted and bubbly.
10. Extract the pizza from the oven, immediately garnish with fresh torn basil leaves, slice into wedges, and serve piping hot for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.

Notes

• Cold ingredients like fresh mozzarella and basil transform dramatically when heated, creating deep flavor complexity.
• Stretching dough by hand instead of rolling prevents tough texture and preserves delicate air pockets developed during rising.
• Pizza stones radiate consistent heat, mimicking traditional wood-fired ovens and generating crispy, restaurant-quality crusts at home.
• Resting dough allows gluten networks to relax, making stretching easier and contributing to a more tender, airy final product.
• Sea salt sprinkled before baking enhances natural ingredients’ taste profiles and provides subtle mineral undertones to the pizza.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 415 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 560 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg