How to Make Authentic Pizza Margherita - A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to classic Italian cuisine, pizza is a staple that has captured the hearts and taste buds of people all over the world. And at the top of the list of beloved pizza varieties is the Authentic Pizza Margherita. This simple yet delicious pizza has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century and is renowned for its fresh and vibrant flavors.

The story behind the creation of Pizza Margherita is an interesting one. Legend has it that in 1889, the Queen of Italy, Margher...

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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

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 hr 5 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 pizzas

  • 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

    966 cal.

    • Total Fat: 37g
    • Saturated Fat: 16g
    • Cholesterol: 90mg
    • Sodium: 2187mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 106g
    • Dietary Fiber: 6g
    • Total Sugars: 6g
    • Protein: 49g
    • Vitamin C: 12mg
    • Calcium: 1159mg
    • Iron: 8mg
    • Potassium: 287mg