Classic Margherita Pizza

Classic Margherita Pizza

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Pizza Toppings:

  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
  • 8-10 fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the Pizza Dough:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
  2. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball.
  4. Place the dough ball in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.

Assemble and Bake the Margherita Pizza:

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
  2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface into a circle or your desired pizza shape, about 12 inches in diameter.
  3. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza peel or an inverted baking sheet dusted with cornmeal or flour to prevent sticking.
  4. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
  5. Arrange the fresh mozzarella slices or shredded cheese evenly over the sauce.
  6. Tear the fresh basil leaves and scatter them over the cheese.
  7. Drizzle olive oil over the pizza, and season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  8. If you're using a pizza stone, carefully slide the pizza onto the hot stone in the preheated oven. If not, place the pizza on a baking sheet.
  9. Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  10. Remove the Margherita pizza from the oven, let it cool for a minute or two, then slice and serve hot.

Enjoy your homemade Margherita pizza, a classic Italian favorite with simple yet delicious flavors!

 

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