Pizza Margherita in 4 Easy Steps

Take everyone on an awesome Italian dining experience with simple yet delicious and satisfying Pizza Margherita!

Did you know why it’s called a Pizza Margherita? It was named after Margherita of Savory, then the Queen of Italy. The first one was cooked in the 1880s by Raffaele Esposito, a phenomenal chef during that time.

Believe it or not, the first Pizza Margherita was only topped with basil, tomatoes, and thinly sliced mozzarella. Interestingly, everything was 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 – an all-in-one recipe!

You and your family deserve the best Italian dishes, so give the Pizza Margherita a try. It will give you a crunchy and flaky crust, flavorful, savory, and satisfying toppings, and the best experience imaginable!

How to Make Pizza Margherita

Is this your first time making Pizza Margherita? Have no fear because it’s actually easier than you think. 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. Without the flour, there wouldn’t even be any pizza.

According to Bob’s Red Mill, all-purpose flour is one of the best flour to use for making pizza. I also use flour for other crunchy recipes like Baked Nigerian Chin Chin, Chicken Pie, and Chicken Pizza!

Dry yeast

One of the basic ingredients of pizza dough is dry yeast.

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. It’s going to be crunchy, flaky, and crispy outside yet soft and chewy on the inside.

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 leavening agents to use for pizza!

Use your extra dry yeast to make Air Fryer Bread, Fluffy Donuts, and Twisted Donuts!

Seasoning

Wouldn’t it be great if the crust is as tasty as the toppings?

It’s not enough that the pizza toppings are delicious. The pizza crust should taste just as delicious and you can achieve it with the help of milk powder, sugar, and salt. These will give the crust a good balance of sweet and salty flavors.

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. You can also use other spices that you prefer.

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. A little bit of moisture won’t hurt the pizza recipe.

Pizza sauce

Give life to your Pizza Margherita with the 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. It’s so easy, quick, and convenient for every home cook.

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. Do you have a pizza sauce recipe of your own?

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. Its mildy salty flavor also pairs well with the sweet pizza sauce.

Once cooked on top of the dough, it creates browning effects, with the texture melting in your mouth with every bite. Don’t you just love how stringy it gets when it melts perfectly on the pizza?

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

1. In a bowl, mix dry yeast and sugar with water.
2. Set the mixture aside to bloom.
3. In a separate bowl, sieve the all-purpose flour, sea salt, and milk powder. 
4. Stir the wet yeast mixture into the dry mixture.
5. Then, drizzle the mixture with olive oil.
6. Knead using a mixer or by hand until smooth.
7. Place the dough in a greased bowl.
8. Cover it with cloth for 15 minutes. 
9. Next, dust your kitchen counter with semolina or flour.
10. Shape the dough into a pizza.

Toppings

1. Spread the pizza dough on a pizza pan.
2. Then, evenly spread the pizza sauce over the pizza dough. 
3. Top off the pizza dough with mozzarella.

Baking time!

1. Preheat the oven for several minutes.
2. Bake it at 220°C for eight to ten minutes or until crisp.
3. 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

Even if Pizza Margherita is a classic pizza flavor, you can still make it extra special.

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. It’s also alright to use store-bought pizza dough, especially if you’re in a rush.

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. Aside from basil, you can also use oregano, rosemary, or even thyme.

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

Bond with your whole family over the most awesome 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:

• Spaghetti
• Chicken Breast Sauce Pasta
• Bolognese
• Crispy Chicken Wings

Sip any of the drinks below for refreshments:

• Iced Tea
• Watermelon Juice
• Zobo Drink
• Fruit Smoothie
• Pineapple Juice

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Serve the Pizza Margherita within two hours. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 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.

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.

How is Margherita pizza different from regular pizza?

The difference between Pizza Margherita and regular pizza is that it uses fresh mozzarella. The mozzarella has more liquid because of the creamy and milky quality that it has.

Is Margherita pizza tasty?

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. It has the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, salty, and savory flavors.