Margherita Pizza is a classic pizza recipe topped with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil!
This easy recipe is a classic for good reason and the perfect way to enjoy fresh produce straight out of the garden. Add in a side salad for a great meal!
Sure, pepperoni is great, but sometimes isn’t it nice to just go back to the basics? A classic, simple, Margherita Pizza recipe is just that.
What is Margherita Pizza?
Ingredients include homemade dough, pizza sauce, tomatoes, cheese, and fresh basil.
For the dough use homemade but store-bought works well too! If you don’t have fresh basil, substitute a drizzle of pesto!
Fresh Toppings
These are the key components that make for a classic Margherita pizza.
Basil and tomatoes are also great for growing in your garden (I grow my garden specifically for making fresh Margherita pizza and summer salads like my Macaroni salad).
The tomatoes are added before cooking while we add the basil after cooking so it’s fresh.
How do you Make a Margherita Pizza?
Pizza Margherita should always start with a good classic pizza crust.
I chose to use my favorite homemade pizza dough recipe, a simple recipe that doesn’t require any fancy ingredients and can be ready after just 5 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of rising. Of course, you can use a pre-made dough if you prefer or if you’re in a time crunch or even a cauliflower crust but with how simple my homemade recipe is I really hope you’ll give it a try!
Once the dough is made, you’ll drizzle it generously with olive oil, add some marinara and well-minced garlic, a few slices of Roma/plum tomatoes, shreds of basil and plenty of mozzarella cheese.
While you can use shredded mozzarella cheese for this recipe, for a classic Margherita recipe I really recommend using a block of mozzarella cheese and slicing that into rounds or wedges or squares and dotting the pieces generously over the pizza (see photo above).
Why is it Called Margherita Pizza
Margherita Pizza actually has an interesting namesake and was so named in honor of the Italian Queen consort, Margherita.
Queen Margherita loved pizza (most of us can relate) and a famous pizza maker is said to have created this specific flavor in her honor.
It also pays homage to the Italian flag, flaunting its colors proudly in the green basil, white mozzarella, and red tomato. Some people ask what is margarita pizza, but it IS Margherita Pizza!
Pizza Favorites
- Pizza Grilled Cheese – two comfort food classics
- Quick No Fail Pizza Dough – easy to make!
- Pizza Rolls – perfect individual servings
- Pizza Waffles – just 3 ingredients!
- Cheesy Breakfast Pizza – grab-and-go breakfast
Did you love this Margherita Pizza? Be sure to leave a rating and comment below!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce ball pizza dough
- 1 to 2 tablespoons flour for dusting
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ cup pizza sauce
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese cut into slices
- 8 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Place a baking sheet or pizza stone in the oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Stretch or roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch wide circle on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a piece of parchment paper. Brush the whole crust with olive oil.
- Stir minced garlic into your pizza sauce and evenly spread the sauce over the pizza, leaving a half-inch border around the edges.
- Evenly place slices of mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Transfer the pizza (with the parchment paper) to the preheated baking sheet or pizza stone and bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Slice and serve topped with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Use a light layer of sauce so the crust stays crisp.
- Preheat the pan or stone for a golden bottom. Use parchment for easy transfer.
- Add sliced tomatoes before baking, for a special touch.
- Basil should be added after baking to keep it fresh.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Repin this Perfect Pizza Recipe!
Can I use a sheet pan or similar? I don’t have a round pizza stone or pizza pan. Will it change the amount of time for cooking?
A sheet pan will work just fine. Cook time will remain the same.
Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks Holly :-)
You are very welcome Angelina! Glad you enjoyed it.
I’m confused on step 2 where it says add oil and water and combine, then it says to add the warm water.
Can you clarify?
This looks wonderful!
Thanks
I’ve updated the recipe Rhea. For step 2, combine oil and warm water and use a wooden spoon to stir. Add the water mixture to the flour mixture and stir very well until smooth.
Tried this yesterday and it was awesome! Thanks ! – Best Regards
Happy to hear you love the pizza Nelly!
Its nice ingredients recipe.
This content creates great experience to me.
The pizza topping ingredients specially cloves, garlic and cheese make it more tastier.
Making homemade pizza dough is such a treat! Nothing like a turning a takeaway classic into a homemade treat.
Always a treat Kortney! Enjoy!
Aw, the mozzarella cheese is so perfect on the pizza, it looks super super yummy, I gotta order a pizza right now!! xD
Make this instead! So glad you loved it Natalie!