Italian margherita pizza is a classic dish that has been a staple of Italian cuisine for centuries. To make the dough, you’ll need all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, active dry yeast, olive oil, and warm water. For the toppings, you’ll need crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh basil leaves, fresh mozzarella cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. Once you make the dough, prepare the tomato sauce, and assemble the pizza. After baking it for 15-20 minutes at 450F, add some fresh basil leaves on top before serving. This dish is perfect for sharing with family or friends.

Traditional Italian Margherita Pizza: A Classic Dish

There’s nothing quite like the taste of a traditional Italian margherita pizza. With its soft, doughy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and fresh, fragrant herbs, this dish has been a staple of Italian cuisine for centuries. If you’re a fan of pizza, or just want to try your hand at making this classic dish, here’s a step-by-step guide to making a traditional Italian margherita pizza.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Before you begin making your pizza dough, you’ll need to gather all the necessary ingredients. This includes:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz. can)
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Step 2: Make the Pizza Dough

Next, it’s time to make your pizza dough. Here’s how:

1. Combine the flour, salt, sugar, and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add olive oil and warm water to the dry ingredients and stir until it forms into a sticky ball of dough.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough ball in a separate floured bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour.

Step 3: Prepare the Tomato Sauce

While the dough is rising, it’s time to prepare the tomato sauce for the pizza. Here’s how:

1. Place the crushed tomatoes in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to the tomatoes and stir to combine.
3. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld and the sauce thicken. After, remove the sauce from heat and let it cool.

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza

After the dough has risen, and tomato sauce is ready, it’s time to assemble your pizza. Here’s how:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F.
2. On a separate floured surface, roll the dough out into a circle or rectangle shape, depending on the shape of your baking sheet or stone. If you don’t have a baking sheet, using a baking stone yield crispy crust.
3. Place the rolled-out dough onto a baking sheet or stone.
4. Spoon the tomato sauce onto the dough and spread it evenly, leaving about an inch of space at the edge of the crust.
5. Add the sliced mozzarella cheese on top of the tomato sauce.
6. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the top of the cheese.
7. Sprinkle some salt and pepper over the pizza.
8. Bake the pizza at 450°F for about 15-20 minutes or until the crust appears golden brown and the cheese has melted and bubbly.
9. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing it.
10. Top the pizza with fresh basil leaves for added flavor.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Classic Italian Margherita Pizza!

Now, you have made a delicious, traditional Italian margherita pizza! Gather your family or friends, serve the pizza with drinks or add a green salad to the menu, too. Savor the flavors and the aroma of a true classic, an Italian favorite worldwide.