Description
This classic Margherita Pizza recipe features a crispy pizza crust topped with fresh tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and fragrant basil leaves. Perfectly baked at a high temperature to achieve a golden-brown crust and bubbly cheese, it’s a simple yet delicious way to enjoy authentic Italian flavors in just 33 minutes.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 12 ounces pizza dough
Toppings
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 5 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Pizza Stone: Place a pizza stone on the bottom oven rack and preheat the oven to 450℉ to ensure the stone is thoroughly heated for a crisp crust.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, shaping it to your desired thickness and size while preventing it from sticking.
- Add Sauce: Evenly spread the tomato sauce over the rolled-out dough, making sure to leave about a ½ inch border around the edges for the crust.
- Top with Mozzarella: Arrange the sliced fresh mozzarella cheese evenly over the tomato sauce to create a luscious, cheesy layer.
- Bake the Pizza: Transfer the parchment paper with the pizza onto the hot pizza stone and bake for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the crust is browned and the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Add Fresh Basil: Carefully remove the pizza from the oven and immediately top with fresh basil leaves for a fragrant and fresh finish.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the pizza into servings and enjoy it warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier crust but can be substituted with a baking sheet if unavailable.
- Fresh mozzarella provides the best melting quality and flavor compared to pre-shredded versions.
- Allow the dough to come to room temperature before rolling out for easier handling.
- You can customize by adding a drizzle of olive oil before baking for extra flavor.
