This Margherita pizza combines homemade pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil for the ultimate tantalizing taste experience. Enjoy it with a chopped Italian salad or copycat Olive Garden salad.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients.
- Pizza dough: Grocery stores and bakeries sell ready-made pizza dough. You can also use premade refrigerated pizza crust or make homemade pizza dough.
- Crushed tomatoes: Quality does matter. Use high-quality brands like Muir Glen or Cento.
- Mozzarella: Use low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella for the best melt without making the pizza dough soggy.
- Basil: Use fresh basil for the ultimate flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly shaved or grated for the best flavor and melt.
How To Make Margherita Pizza
This is a summary; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Remove the pizza dough from the fridge and place it in a bowl lightly brushed with olive oil. Cover and let it rest for about 2 hours.
- Cook the garlic and oregano in a little olive oil on the stovetop over low heat for about a minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes.
- Pat out the pizza dough, dock it, and prebake for 6-7 minutes.
- Spread the pizza sauce over the prebaked crust.
- Top with mozzarella slices and bake.
- Sprinkle with basil ribbons, shaved Parmesan cheese, and, if desired, crushed red pepper.
Culinary Tips
- Let the pizza dough come to room temperature for 1-2 hours to relax the gluten. It makes the dough easier to pat out and stretch without snapping back. For safety, do not let it sit out for more than 4 hours.
- After patting out the pizza dough, poke it well with a table fork. This process is known as docking.
- Always prebake the crust for this pizza.
- To make basil ribbons, stack the basil leaves and gently roll them into a cylinder, cigar shape. Now, using a sharp knife, slice them extra thin crosswise.
- Let the pizza cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting so the ingredients don’t slide, and you don’t burn yourself. A really hot pizza can burn the roof of your mouth or your throat and spoil your meal.
More Pizza Recipes
Margherita Pizza
This Margherita pizza combines a homemade pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil for the ultimate tantalizing taste experience.
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Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 278kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ cups crushed tomatoes
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ tablespoon cornmeal
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
- Basil leaves sliced into ribbons
- ¼ cup freshly shaved parmesan
- Red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Remove the pizza dough from the fridge and place it in a bowl lightly brushed with olive oil. Cover and let it rest for about 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Preheat a 12-inch pizza stone in the oven.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over low heat. Cook the garlic and oregano for 1 minute, while stirring. Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Simmer for a few minutes while you work the pizza dough.
- Spread the cornmeal on a clean work surface. Pat out the pizza dough. Carefully move it to the preheated stone, dock it, and prebake for 6-7 minutes.
- Spread the pizza sauce over the prebaked crust. Top with mozzarella slices.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
- Sprinkle with basil ribbons, shaved Parmesan cheese, and, if desired, crushed red pepper.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a covered skillet over medium-low heat for 6-7 minutes on the stovetop.
Nutrition
Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 698mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 316IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 199mg | Iron: 2mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Mention @smalltownwomanfoodnut or tag #smalltownwomanfoodnut!
Lisa
This Margherita pizza was absolutely delicious! I loved the combination of homemade pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella, Parmesan, and basil. I also appreciated the tip about prebaking the crust so it stayed nice and crisp.
Lora
THere is nothing like a classic pizza Margherita. This turned out really great and the kiddos truly enjoyed it. They left me one slice!
Beth Pierce
So glad that everyone enjoyed it.
elizabeth f
Even though I didn’t grow up eating pizza, I enjoy Margherita pizza when I get to eat it. I love the fresh basil and light sauce. So delicious!
Beth Pierce
I agree, Elizabeth!
Amy Dong
The crispy crust, melty mozzarella, and fresh basil made every bite so satisfying!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Amy! We love it too!
Emily
A classic pizza, but classic for a reason! It’s so fantastic and simple, which makes it a favourite among so many people (myself included). I should make one for dinner tonight!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Emily! Enjoy!
Amber
This is one of my fave pizzas! It’s fresh and delicious. Pizza nights are happy nights at this house.
Beth Pierce
Same here!
Mimi
The fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan worked so beautifully together. Sometimes the simplest pizzas really are the most satisfying.
Beth Pierce
I agree, Mimi!
Richard Lowe
This was very good. It’s very similar to the pizza I’ve had at authentic Italian restaurants. I’ll be making this again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Richard! I am glad that you enjoyed it.
Ben
This is crazy good. I used an old-world pizza dough recipe i found recently for this. It’s amazing!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Ben! So happy that you enjoyed it.
Beth
I really love this rustic style. It feels like getting a pizza at a real Italian restaurant. It’s so good!
Beth Pierce
So happy that you like it, Beth!