Best 2 Authentic Pizza Margherita Recipes

Pizza Margherita, a classic Italian dish, is renowned for its simplicity and captivating flavors. Originating in Naples, this pizza is a testament to the culinary brilliance of the region. The traditional recipe features a thin, crispy crust, topped with a vibrant sauce made from fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and aromatic basil leaves. The harmonious blend of these elements creates a symphony of flavors that has captivated taste buds worldwide. This article offers a comprehensive guide to crafting an authentic Pizza Margherita, complete with variations and serving suggestions. Discover the art of preparing the perfect dough, creating a flavorful tomato sauce, and selecting the finest mozzarella cheese. Explore creative twists on the classic recipe, including the addition of roasted vegetables, cured meats, and artisanal cheeses. Learn how to achieve the perfect balance of flavors and textures, resulting in a pizza that is both visually stunning and incredibly delicious. Whether you're a seasoned pizza enthusiast or a home cook seeking to master a culinary classic, this article provides all the essential knowledge and recipes to create an authentic Pizza Margherita that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Italy.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

PIZZA MARGHERITA

Pizza Margherita image

Here is the archetype of a thin-crust pizza pie, a pizza margherita adorned simply in the colors of the Italian flag: green from basil, white from mozzarella, red from tomato sauce. This pizza is adapted from the recipe used by the staff at Roberta's restaurant in Brooklyn, who make their tomato sauce simply by whizzing together canned tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. The ingredients offer in their proportions what appears to be a kind of austerity - not even 3 ounces of cheese! But the result is home-cooked pizza to beat the band, exactly the sort of recipe to start a career in home pizza-making, and to return to again and again.

Provided by Sam Sifton

Categories dinner, lunch, pizza and calzones, appetizer, main course

Time 15m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

1 12-inch round of pizza dough, stretched (see recipe)
3 tablespoons tomato sauce (see note)
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 3/4 ounces fresh mozzarella
4 to 5 basil leaves, roughly torn

Steps:

Place a pizza stone or tiles on the middle rack of your oven and turn heat to its highest setting. Let it heat for at least an hour.
Put the sauce in the center of the stretched dough and use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly across the surface, stopping approximately 1/2 inch from the edges.
Drizzle a little olive oil over the pie. Break the cheese into large pieces and place these gently on the sauce. Scatter basil leaves over the top.
Using a pizza peel, pick up the pie and slide it onto the heated stone or tiles in the oven. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, approximately 4 to 8 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 453, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 59 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 1052 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams

AUTHENTIC PIZZA MARGHERITA

Authentic Pizza Margherita image

Inspired by the pizza at Bar Del Corso, this Pizza Margherita features tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil, with just a hint of sea salt.

Provided by Allrecipes

Categories Main Dish Recipes Pizza Recipes

Time 1h45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 pinch white sugar
¼ cup flour for dusting
2 cups pizza sauce
20 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
20 leaves fresh basil
olive oil
sea salt to taste

Steps:

Stir flour and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Set aside.
Mix water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Let stand until yeast begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
Stir half the flour mixture into yeast mixture until no dry spots remain. Stir in remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. When dough pulls together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
Lightly oil a large bowl, then place dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Punch dough down, divide into 4 equal pieces, and form each into a ball.
Preheat oven with a pizza stone to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
Stretch out and pat 1 dough ball to form a circle 10 to 12 inches in diameter. Place dough on a lightly floured pizza peel. Top with 1/2 cup of tomato sauce and spread to cover within an inch of the edge of the dough. Arrange 5 slices of mozzarella cheese on top of the tomato sauce, then place 5 basil leaves on top. Drizzle pizza with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt to taste. Repeat for 3 remaining dough balls.
Slide each pizza onto the pizza stone in the preheated oven. Bake until cheese is bubbly and the underside of the crust is golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 965.9 calories, Carbohydrate 105.8 g, Cholesterol 89.6 mg, Fat 37 g, Fiber 5.5 g, Protein 48.7 g, SaturatedFat 16.2 g, Sodium 2187.4 mg, Sugar 6 g

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the taste of your pizza. Use fresh, flavorful tomatoes, quality mozzarella cheese, and extra virgin olive oil.
Make your own pizza dough: Homemade pizza dough is easy to make and tastes much better than store-bought dough. You can find a simple pizza dough recipe in the article.
Don't overcrowd the pizza: When you're adding toppings to your pizza, don't go overboard. Too many toppings will make the pizza soggy and difficult to cook.
Cook the pizza at a high temperature: The best way to get a crispy, flavorful pizza is to cook it at a high temperature. If your oven has a pizza setting, use it. If not, preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach.
Keep it simple: A classic Margherita pizza is all about the balance of flavors between the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Don't add too many other toppings, or you'll overwhelm the delicate flavors of the pizza.

Conclusion:

Pizza Margherita is a delicious and classic Italian pizza that is easy to make at home. By following the tips in this article, you can create a Margherita pizza that is as good as, or even better than, what you would find at a pizzeria. So next time you're craving a pizza, give this recipe a try.