Margherita Pizza Recipe

Pizza dough: This is the base of your pizza, either store-bought or homemade, which you roll out to your preferred thickness.

San Marzano tomato sauce: A flavorful tomato sauce made from a special type of tomato, adding a sweet and rich taste to the pizza.

Fresh mozzarella cheese: Soft, creamy cheese that melts beautifully and gives the pizza its classic texture.

Fresh basil leaves: Adds a bright, herbal flavor and a pop of green color on top of the pizza.

Olive oil: Used to drizzle on the pizza for extra richness and a smooth finish.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the taste.

One of the most important steps in making a great Margherita pizza is rolling out the pizza dough just right. Here’s how you can do it without making the dough too thin or too thick:

1. Sprinkle some flour on your work surface to stop the dough from sticking.
2. Place your ball of dough on the floured surface and press it gently with your fingers to flatten it a bit.
3. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out evenly, starting from the center and rolling outward in all directions.
4. Turn the dough a little after each roll to keep the shape round.
5. Keep checking the thickness—aim for about ¼ inch thick, but you can make it thinner if you like a crispier crust or thicker if you want it chewier.

Rolling the dough evenly helps the pizza cook at the same speed, so you don’t end up with some parts burnt and others doughy. It also makes the crust look nice and hold the toppings well without falling apart.

When I first tried rolling out dough, I pressed too hard and ended up with holes! If that happens, just patch the holes with a little extra dough and press gently. Also, I like to keep a little extra flour nearby to dust my hands and rolling pin so nothing sticks. It makes the whole process smoother and less frustrating.

Once you’ve got the dough rolled out, you’re ready to spread the tomato sauce and add the mozzarella for that perfect Margherita pizza flavor. Trust me, taking your time with the dough makes a big difference in how tasty and fun your pizza turns out!

• pizza dough - Substitute with naan bread: Naan bread provides a similar texture and can be a quick alternative for a homemade or store-bought pizza dough.

• san marzano tomato sauce - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes can be seasoned to taste and offer a similar consistency and flavor profile.

• fresh mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts well and can be more convenient to use than slicing fresh mozzarella.

• fresh basil leaves - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil can be used in smaller quantities to impart a similar flavor when fresh basil is not available.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative for drizzling over the pizza.

• salt - Substitute with garlic salt: Garlic salt adds an extra layer of flavor while still providing the necessary seasoning.

• Allow the pizza to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
• For short-term storage, wrap the pizza slices individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• To freeze, wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped slices in a resealable freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• When ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza slices on a baking sheet and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
• Alternatively, reheat frozen pizza slices in a skillet over medium heat. Cover the skillet with a lid to help melt the cheese, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
• For a quick microwave option, place a slice on a microwave-safe plate with a cup of water beside it. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes. The water helps keep the crust from becoming too chewy.
• If you have leftover fresh basil, store it separately in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Add it to the reheated pizza just before serving to maintain its fresh flavor.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the leftover pizza on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. This method ensures the pizza retains its original texture and flavor.

• Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the pizza slice in the skillet and cover it with a lid. Cook for about 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy. This method is quick and keeps the crust nice and crunchy.

• Microwave with a Twist: Place a cup of water in the microwave along with your pizza slice on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on high for about 1-2 minutes. The water helps to keep the crust from becoming too chewy, but be aware that this method might not keep the crust as crispy as the oven or skillet methods.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza slice directly on the rack or on a piece of aluminum foil. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy. This method is perfect for reheating a single slice without using a full-sized oven.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the pizza slice in the air fryer basket and cook for about 3-5 minutes. This method gives you a crispy crust and gooey cheese in a fraction of the time.

• Pizza stone: A flat stone surface that helps achieve a crispy crust by evenly distributing heat.

• Rolling pin: A cylindrical tool used to roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness.

• Floured surface: A work area dusted with flour to prevent the dough from sticking while rolling it out.

• Oven: The appliance used to bake the pizza at the specified temperature.

• Pizza peel: A flat, shovel-like tool used to transfer the pizza to and from the oven.

• Measuring cup: Used to measure the correct amount of tomato sauce.

• Knife: Used to slice the fresh mozzarella cheese.

• Cutting board: A surface for slicing the mozzarella cheese.

• Basting brush: Used to drizzle olive oil over the pizza.

• Salt shaker: Used to add salt to taste.

• Cooling rack: A wire rack where the pizza can cool slightly before serving.

Use pre-made dough: Save time by using store-bought pizza dough instead of making it from scratch.

Preheat oven early: Start preheating your oven and pizza stone while you prepare the other ingredients.

Ready ingredients: Have all your ingredients like tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves prepped and ready to go.

Thin crust: Roll out the dough thinly to reduce baking time.

Quick assembly: Assemble your pizza quickly to minimize the time the oven door is open, maintaining the high temperature.