Margherita pizza's combination of a crisp yet chewy crust and simple toppings makes it a flavorful dinner option. Making homemade pizza allows you to eliminate preservatives and fatty toppings. The classic recipe uses a basic tomato sauce base with basil and mozzarella cheese as the toppings. The simple ingredient list keeps the pizza healthful, especially with a whole-grain pizza crust as the base. Limit the amount of cheese you put on the margherita pizza to reduce the fat and calorie content.
Step 1
Turn the oven on to 500 degrees Fahrenheit with the pizza stone inside. Allow the pizza stone to heat for 45 minutes to one hour.
Step 2
Sprinkle flour onto the counter or work area. Roll the dough into a rough circle about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle the pizza peel with flour and transfer the prepared dough to it.
Step 3
Place the can of tomatoes into a food processor and pulse to break up the pieces. Add 1 tbsp. of the olive oil along with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried oregano to the tomatoes. Continue pulsing to get a slightly chunky tomato sauce. Taste the sauce, adding more spices to meet your taste preferences.
Step 4
Spread the homemade tomato sauce on top of the pizza dough. Leave about 1 inch around the edge for the crust.
Step 5
Chop or cut the basil leaves into smaller pieces. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the basil leaves on top of the tomato sauce.
Step 6
Slice the fresh mozzarella into 1/4-inch slices. Lay the mozzarella on top of the pizza, distributing the cheese evenly. Drizzle the remaining 1 tbsp. of olive oil over the top of the pizza.
Step 7
Move the pizza peel back and forth gently to ensure the crust won't stick. Use a spatula to lift any areas that stick so you can sprinkle more flour under the spot. If the pizza sticks to the peel, it will get ruined when you place it on the stone.
Step 8
Slide the pizza margherita onto the hot pizza stone in the oven by placing the edge of the peel at the back of the pizza stone and pulling it out quickly.
Step 9
Bake the margherita pizza for eight to 10 minutes so the cheese is melted and the pizza crust is lightly browned. Cook for another one to two minutes at a time to achieve the desired crispiness.
Step 10
Sprinkle the remaining chopped basil leaves on top of the baked pizza before serving.
Things You'll Need
- Pizza stone
- Prepared pizza dough
- Flour
- Pizza peel
- 14-oz. can crushed tomatoes
- Food processor
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 cup basil leaves
- 1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella
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