It’s not an Italian meal without the classic Pizza Margherita!
History tells us that it is called Pizza Margherita was named after Margherita of Savory, then the Queen of Italy. The first one was cooked by Raffaele Esposito, a chef in the 1880s.
Back then, the pizza toppings were basil, tomatoes, and thinly sliced mozzarella. These ingredients were inspired by the colors of the national flag of Italy: red, white, and green.
Today, you will learn how to make Pizza Margherita entirely from scratch. Aside from the pizza itself, I will also show you how to make the pizza dough and even pizza sauce!
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Give your loved ones a meal to remember by cooking the best pizza ever. Get ready to experience crust, chewy, savory, sweet, cheesy, and absolutely delicious Pizza Margherita!
How to Make Pizza Margherita
If you’re looking for the easiest pizza recipe, then you might want to consider the Pizza Margherita recipe. It’s a three-in-one recipe because you will discover how to make the pizza itself, the dough, and the sauce!
After trying this dish, you might have Italian dinners more often!
Ingredients
What ingredients do you need to make Pizza Margherita?
All-purpose flour
When it comes to pizza dough, using all-purpose flour is a necessity. It makes the dough easy to mold, shape, and rise for the proper pizza structure.
The flour can also give the dish a crunchy and chewy texture inside and out. According to Bob’s Red Mill, all-purpose flour is one of the best flour to use for making pizza.
I also use all-purpose flour for other crunchy recipes like Baked Nigerian Chin Chin, Chicken Pie, and Chicken Pizza!
Dry yeast
Don’t forget to use dry yeast as the leavening agent. It allows the dough to rise for a light and airy quality in the pizza. You will surely love how the crust will turn out.
Dry yeast is also easy to use because you just need to activate it and let it bloom until the dough is ready for kneading. PMQ Pizza Media mentioned that dry yeast is one of the best to use for pizza!
Use your leftover dry yeast to make Air Fryer Bread, Fluffy Donuts, and Twisted Donuts!
Seasoning
It’s not enough that the pizza toppings are delicious. The pizza crust should taste just as delicious as and you can achieve it with the help of milk powder, sugar, and salt.
According to Bon Appetit, milk powder can even make the crust tender and soft. On the other hand, the salt and sugar will help balance the overall flavors of the pizza.
Olive oil
Just when you think the pizza dough can’t get better, why not add olive oil for better quality? It will improve the texture of the pizza, from the crust to the crumbs.
The olive oil will also help prevent the dough from sticking to the bowl as it rises and leavens.
Pizza sauce
There are many pizza sauce options you can buy in grocery stores. However, I suggest making your own sauce to get the flavors that you want to taste in your pizza.
You can try the classic pizza sauce for the perfect red color and flavor. In fact, there’s also a no-cook pizza sauce recipe you can try for an easier version.
Mozzarella cheese
You can’t have pizza without mozzarella cheese! It’s one of the best cheeses to use for pizza because of how milky and tangy it tastes.
The cheese will also be a good layer of moisture and flavor in the pizza. Once cooked on top of the dough, it creates browning effects, with the texture melting in your mouth with every bite.
Basil
The pizza would not be complete without the leafy green goodness of basil. It’s one of the best herbs to use for pizza because of how sweet and slightly spicy it is.
The basil will surely bring all of the flavors together. It also adds a wonderful color that will make the pizza appetizing.
Can you already smell and relish the quality, flavor, and texture of your very own homemade Pizza Margherita?
Directions
Put on your apron and your chef’s hat because it’s time to cook Pizza Margherita!
Pizza dough
- In a bowl, mix dry yeast and sugar with water.
- Set the mixture aside to bloom.
- In a separate bowl, sieve the all-purpose flour, sea salt, and milk powder.
- Stir the wet yeast mixture into the dry mixture.
- Then, drizzle the mixture with olive oil.
- Knead using a mixer or by hand until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl.
- Cover it with cloth for 15 minutes.
- Next, dust your kitchen counter with semolina or flour.
- Shape the dough into a pizza.
Toppings
- Spread the flattened pizza dough on a pizza pan.
- Then, evenly spread the pizza sauce over the pizza dough.
- Top off the pizza dough with mozzarella.
Baking time!
- Preheat the oven for several minutes.
- Bake it at 220°C for eight to ten minutes or until crisp.
- Once done, garnish it with fresh basil and serve!
Your Pizza Margherita is ready! Prepare yourself for one of the best homemade Italian delicacies straight from your kitchen.
Tips
How to Make Better Pizza
- If you want to make stellar Pizza Margherita, then make sure to preheat the oven.
- You can cook the dish in a pizza stone over light the fire for 45 minutes.
- Use your fingers to form and shape the dough to prevent it from deflating.
- Don’t use too much pizza sauce.
- Grate the mozzarella before putting it on top of the dough.
- You may also drizzle a bit of olive oil along the crush of the pizza.
- Add the basil only after baking the pizza.
How to Store Pizza Dough
You can store pizza dough in the fridge or the freezer.
Place it in a container and cover it with a lid. I also suggest sealing it in a resealable bag. Store the dough in the fridge for up to two weeks. On the other hand, frozen dough can last up to three months.
Pizza Margherita Variations
Pizza Margherita is known to be the kind of pizza that’s flavorful, even without a lot of toppings. If you want to add more flavor, then you can also add tomatoes for some freshness or roasted garlic for a kick of sweetness.
Additionally, some of the best cheese alternatives include Parmesan, feta cheese, and even Fontina cheese.
Serving it with your healthy and flavorful Homemade Pizza Sauce will also bring this recipe to a new level. There’s also a No-Cook Pizza Sauce you can try!
More Delicious Italian Recipes
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Pasta & Noodles
How to Cook Pasta Perfectly
Recommended Tools
- Oven: Bake the Pizza Margherita in the oven.
- Pizza Pan: Assemble the pizza on a pan to retain its form.
- Sieve: Filter the dry ingredients of the dough.
- Spatula or whisk: Mix the ingredients using a spatula or a whisk.
- Stand mixer: Form your dough by kneading it in the mixer.
- Ladle: Spread the pizza sauce on the dough with a ladle.
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How to Serve Pizza Margherita
A fun way to serve Pizza Margherita to kids is to slice them up into shapes or figures! You can also make them in bitesize slices for easy eating. Alternatively, you can slice them evenly and arrange them on skewers.
You can also serve it on a large chopping board for an aesthetically pleasing presentation. There are also pizza stands to display the pizza.
When it comes to side dishes, you can pair them with the following:
Sip any of the drinks below for refreshments:
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Serve the Pizza Margherita within two hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pizza Margherita?
Pizza Margherita is a popular pizza flavor in Naples, and it is mainly composed of pizza dough and sauce, cheese, and basil! It was first made in the 1880s in honor of Margherita of Savory, the Queen of Italy.
It is said that the ingredients of the pizza are representations of the colors of the Italian flag: green, red, and white.
What’s in a Margherita pizza?
Aside from the base dough of the pizza, the dish is also made of pizza sauce and toppings like basil and mozzarella cheese. The dough is made of flour, dry yeast, milk powder, sea salt, sugar, olive oil, and water.
Why is it called Pizza Margherita?
Raffaele Esposito invented Pizza Margherita in honor of the former Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, and Italy’s national flag inspired the colors from the sauce, cheese, and basil.
Why Margherita is the best pizza?
Pizza Margherita is the best pizza because it’s simple, easy, and quick to make. Even with simple toppings, it truly has a rich and yummy flavor at every bite.
Pizza Margherita
Ingredients
For the pizza dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp dry yeast
- 150 ml water (warm)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp milk powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp olive oil
For the pizza toppings
- ¼ cup pizza sauce (easy homemade no-cook)
- ½ cup Mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh basil (finely chopped)
Instructions
Pizza Dough
- In a bowl, mix dry yeast and sugar with water.
- Set the mixture aside to bloom.
- In a separate bowl, sieve the all-purpose flour, sea salt, and milk powder.
- Stir the wet yeast mixture into the dry mixture.
- Then, drizzle the mixture with olive oil.
- Knead using a mixer or by hand until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl.
- Cover it with cloth for 15 minutes.
- Next, dust your kitchen counter with semolina or flour.
- Shape the dough into a pizza.
Toppings
- Spread the flattened pizza dough on a pizza pan.
- Evenly spread the pizza sauce over the pizza dough.
- Top off the pizza dough with mozzarella.
Baking time!
- Preheat the oven for several minutes.
- Bake it at 220°C for eight to ten minutes or until crisp.
- Once done, garnish it with fresh basil and serve!
Video
Notes
- To make it extra yummy and healthy, don’t forget to try making your own Pizza Dough and Pizza Sauce!
- The mozzarella will add milky freshness to the cooked pizza.
Nutrition
