Margherita Pizza Recipe
Tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
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Ingredients
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Dough
Toppings
Method
Dough Preparation
- 1
Activate Yeast
In a small bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Stir in the active dry yeast and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- 2
Mix Dough Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the activated yeast mixture and olive oil.
- 3
Knead the Dough
Mix the ingredients until a dough forms. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 4
Let Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Pizza Assembly
- 5
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
- 6
Shape Dough
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it out into a round shape about 12 inches in diameter.
- 7
Add Sauce and Cheese
Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or a baking sheet. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Tear the mozzarella cheese into pieces and distribute it evenly over the sauce.
- 8
Add Basil and Olive Oil
Place the fresh basil leaves on top of the cheese and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle salt to taste.
- 9
Bake the Pizza
Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- 10
Serve
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice and serve hot.