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a whole Margherita pizza with a blistered charred crust, melty pools of fresh mozzarella, bright red sauce, and scattered green basil leaves, on a wooden pizza board over a kitchen counter, warm natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Margherita Pizza

A crunchy, homemade crust covered with delicious tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil, baked to perfection so that it is slightly charred and bubbling.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pizza dough ball
  • 0.75 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella sliced
  • 10 fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to its highest setting, ideally 500°F, with a baking sheet or stone inside.
  2. Stir the crushed tomatoes with the garlic, salt, and one tablespoon of olive oil to make a quick sauce.
  3. Stretch the dough into a round on parchment and spread the sauce thinly, leaving a border.
  4. Arrange the mozzarella slices over the sauce and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
  5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is charred and the cheese bubbles.
  6. Scatter fresh basil over the hot pizza and finish with a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Notes

Pat the fresh mozzarella dry first so the pizza doesn't turn watery.