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Exploring the Evolution of Classic Pizza Margherita Recipe
Discover the authentic pizza Margherita recipe! Witness the evolution of this classic dish from traditional to modern Margherita twists that will blow your taste buds away!
➡️ So, looking for a delicious and simple Italian pizza recipe that will satisfy your cravings? Look no further than authentic pizza Margherita shared on this page! This classic Italian favorite features a crispy thin crust, savory tomato sauce, sliced mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves. With its perfect balance of flavors, classic pizza Margherita is a crowd-pleaser that will leave your taste buds begging for more. Whether you’re enjoying it on its own or adding your own creative twists, authentic pizza Margherita is a timeless dish that will never go out of style. So why wait? Learn how to make pizza Margherita today and experience the mouth-watering simplicity of this Italian masterpiece!
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How to Make Modern and Classic Pizza Margherita from Scratch
➡️ Making Margherita pizza at home allows you to indulge in the classic combination of flavors while adding your own creative twists. While the traditional Margherita pizza consists of a thin crust topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves, there are several variations you can explore.

Classic Pizza Margherita Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups Italian-style flour
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup fresh tomato sauce
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- fresh basil leaves
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Slowly add the warm water and mix until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour.
- After an hour, punch down the dough and let it rise again for another hour.
- Preheat your oven to 475-500 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as it goes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Place the dough on a lightly oiled baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Spread the tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Place the slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- Bake the pizza for 8–10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, try cooking the pizza on a preheated pizza stone or baking steel.
- For a softer crust, try cooking the pizza on a baking sheet or in a cast iron skillet.
- Experiment with different types of flour to find the one that gives you the best results.
- Use high-quality, fresh ingredients for the best flavor.

Margherita Pizza with Garlic and Olive Oil
Ingredients
- 3 cups Italian-style flour
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup fresh tomato sauce
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- fresh basil leaves
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Slowly add the warm water and mix until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour.
- After an hour, punch down the dough and let it rise again for another hour.
- Preheat your oven to 475-500 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as it goes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Place the dough on a lightly oiled baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Spread the tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Place the slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- Add minced garlic over the pizza.
- Bake the pizza for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Mincing the garlic and adding it raw to the pizza will give a stronger garlic flavor to your pizza, if you prefer a milder garlic flavor you can sauté it before adding it to the pizza.
- Be careful not to overload the pizza with garlic, a little goes a long way.

Margherita Pizza with Burrata Cheese
Ingredients
- 3 cups Italian-style flour
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup fresh tomato sauce
- 8 oz fresh burrata cheese
- fresh basil leaves
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Slowly add in the warm water and mix until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
- After an hour, punch down the dough and let it rise again for another hour.
- Preheat your oven to 475-500 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as it goes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Place the dough on a lightly oiled baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Spread the tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Cut the burrata cheese into small pieces and place them over the pizza.
- Season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- Bake the pizza for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Burrata cheese is a type of mozzarella with a creamy center, it adds a richness to the pizza that regular mozzarella doesn’t have.
- Be careful not to overload the pizza with burrata cheese, as it can make the pizza too rich and heavy. A little goes a long way.
- If you can’t find burrata cheese, you can use regular mozzarella cheese and add a dollop of fresh cream to the pizza before serving it for a similar effect.
- For an extra burst of flavor, try drizzling some balsamic glaze over the pizza before serving.
FAQs about Pizza Margherita
What is Pizza Margherita?
Pizza Margherita is a classic Italian pizza topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil. It is known for its simplicity and delicious flavors.
How do I make Pizza Margherita at home?
To make Pizza Margherita at home, start by preheating your oven to a high temperature. Roll out pizza dough into a round shape and spread a layer of tomato sauce over it. Top with slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and bake in the oven until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil for Pizza Margherita?
While fresh basil leaves are traditional for Pizza Margherita, you can use dried basil if fresh basil is not available. However, fresh basil adds a vibrant flavor and aroma to the pizza.
What is the origin of Pizza Margherita?
Pizza Margherita is named after Queen Margherita of Italy and was created in Naples, Italy, in 1889. The pizza was made to resemble the colors of the Italian flag, with red tomato sauce, white mozzarella cheese, and green basil.
Can I add additional toppings to Margherita Pizza?
Traditional Margherita Pizza is a simple pizza with minimal toppings. However, you can customize it by adding other ingredients like sliced tomatoes, garlic, olives, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Just keep in mind that adding too many toppings may alter the classic flavors of the pizza.
Related Pizza Recipes and Culinary Articles
➡️ Margherita pizza is a classic Italian pizza that is steeped in tradition and history (read more here). Whether you’re a traditionalist or looking to experiment with new flavors, the Margherita pizza offers something for everyone. I hope that this blog post has given you a taste of the evolution of Margherita pizza and inspired you to try your hand at making both classic and modern versions of this beloved dish. Remember to use high-quality, fresh ingredients, pay attention to the details, and most importantly, have fun in the kitchen. Buon Appetito!
➡️ Besides this classic pizza, I also recommend trying more homemade pizza recipes available on this website such as authentic Sicilian pizza, Brie cheese and ham pizza, country-style homemade sausage pizza, ham and mushroom Hawaiian pizza, ham and pineapple pizza, homemade Bolognese calzone pizza, homemade Bolognese pizza, homemade salami pizza, homemade sausage pizza with eggs, and more (see below.)
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