Description
This Homemade Margherita Pizza recipe combines a crisp pizza crust with a flavorful herb-infused tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, ripe Roma tomatoes, fragrant basil leaves, and a blend of Parmesan cheese and butter for a deliciously classic Italian pizza experience. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, this pizza is a simple yet satisfying meal ideal for any pizza lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza
- 1 Pizza Crust (Tiseo’s Frozen Pizza Dough recommended)
- 1 ¾ cup (about 8 oz) Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 Roma Tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 10 Large Basil Leaves
- ½ cup Pizza Sauce (see below)
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Pizza Sauce
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ tsp oregano
- ¾ tsp rosemary
- ½ tsp ground sage
- ¼ tsp marjoram
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Pizza Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together tomato paste, olive oil, and water until smooth and well combined. Add oregano, rosemary, ground sage, marjoram, and salt. Stir thoroughly until all herbs are evenly distributed. Set aside to let flavors meld.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a pizza stone inside the oven if available to heat up along with the oven.
- Prepare the dough: If using frozen pizza dough, thaw it according to package directions. On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the dough to your desired thickness.
- Transfer dough to pan: Place the rolled dough onto a greased pizza pan or a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Apply butter: Melt the butter and brush it evenly over the entire pizza dough surface, including the edges for extra flavor and browning.
- Spread sauce: Evenly spread the prepared pizza sauce across the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border for the crust.
- Add cheeses and toppings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce, layer the Roma tomato slices evenly on top, then sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over everything.
- Bake the pizza: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Finish with basil: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately top it with fresh basil leaves for a burst of fresh aroma and flavor.
- Cool and serve: Let the pizza cool for 2-3 minutes before slicing to allow the cheese to set slightly, then serve warm.
Notes
- Use a pizza stone if available for a crispier crust.
- Adjust the amount of cheese to your taste preferences.
- Allowing the dough to come to room temperature before rolling can make it easier to handle.
- Fresh basil should be added after baking to preserve its vibrant flavor and color.
- You can add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Margherita pizza, homemade pizza, pizza dough, pizza sauce, Italian pizza, mozzarella pizza, easy pizza recipe
