Margherita Pizza Recipe

This Margherita Pizza celebrates the simplicity of quality ingredients, letting the flavors of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil shine. Feel free to customize it with your favorite toppings or add a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an extra touch.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup tomato sauce (homemade or your favorite store-bought variety)
• 2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 1-2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced
• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Instructions:
3. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can go (usually around 475-500°F or 245-260°C).
5. Prepare the Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. If you prefer a thin crust, roll it out thinner; for a thicker crust, keep it a bit thicker.
7. Assemble the Pizza: Place the rolled-out dough on a pizza stone or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread a layer of tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
9. Add Cheese and Tomatoes: Distribute the sliced mozzarella evenly over the sauce. Place the tomato slices on top. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
11. Bake in the Oven: Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Finish with Fresh Basil: Remove the pizza from the oven, and immediately scatter fresh basil leaves on top. Drizzle with a bit of extra-virgin olive oil for added flavor.
15. Slice and Serve: Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve slices hot and enjoy!