Few pizzas prove that simple ingredients can deliver extraordinary flavor quite like Margherita Pizza. With juicy sliced tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil, this Italian classic lets every ingredient shine. The combination of bubbling cheese, bright tomato, and fresh herbs creates a delicious balance without piling on unnecessary toppings.
This recipe starts with a stretched 12-inch round of pizza dough and just three tablespoons of tomato sauce. Minced garlic adds savory depth, while sliced tomatoes bring fresh flavor and moisture. Fresh mozzarella melts into soft, creamy pockets, and torn basil leaves provide the aromatic finish that makes Margherita pizza instantly recognizable. A light drizzle of olive oil brings everything together.
The secret to a great homemade Margherita pizza is a thoroughly preheated baking surface. Place a pizza stone or suitable baking tiles in the middle of your oven and heat the oven to its highest setting for at least an hour, as directed in the recipe. That intense heat helps the crust cook quickly, develop a golden underside, and support the toppings without becoming soggy. Once assembled, slide the pizza onto the hot stone and bake for approximately four to eight minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese bubbles.
A pizza peel makes transferring the assembled pizza onto the hot baking stone much easier. Dust it lightly with flour before placing the dough on it, and work efficiently so the dough doesn’t stick. If you don’t own a peel, follow the safe handling instructions for your oven setup and avoid moving hot stones or tiles.
For the best flavor, use fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes, and add the basil before baking as directed. Let the pizza rest briefly after it comes out of the oven so the cheese settles before slicing.
Serve this classic Margherita Pizza on its own for a simple lunch or dinner, or pair it with a crisp green salad and roasted vegetables. Whether you’re making your own dough or using prepared pizza dough, this recipe delivers the fresh Italian-inspired flavors that make homemade pizza night worth repeating.
If you are adventurous in the kitchen, try making your own pizza sauce and pizza crust with some of these fabulous recipes!
Print
Pizza Margherita
- Total Time: :30
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 1 12-inch round of pizza dough, stretched
- 3 tablespoons tomato sauce
- 1tbs minced garlic
- Sliced Tomatoes
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 ounces fresh mozzarella
- 4 to 5 basil leaves, roughly torn
Instructions
- Place a pizza stone or tiles on the middle rack of your oven and turn heat to its highest setting. Let it heat for at least an hour.
- Add the minced garlic to the sauce and put the sauce in the center of the stretched dough and use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly across the surface, stopping approximately 1/2 inch from the edges.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the pie. Add layer of sliced tomatoes. Break the cheese into large pieces and place these gently on the sauce. Scatter basil leaves over the top.
- Using a pizza peel, pick up the pie and slide it onto the heated stone or tiles in the oven. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, approximately 4 to 8 minutes.
- Prep Time: :15
- Cook Time: ::15
- Category: Entree
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian