Discover the perfect Pizza Margherita recipe, featuring a delicious blend of tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil. Named after Queen Margherita, this classic Italian pizza is simple yet full of flavor. Learn how to make this traditional dish from scratch with easy-to-follow steps and tips for the perfect crust and toppings.

Ingredients:

- For the Dough:

 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

 - 1 tsp salt

 - 1 tsp sugar

 - 1 tsp instant yeast

 - 1 cup warm water

 - 2 tbsp olive oil

- For the Topping:

 - 1 cup tomato sauce

 - 1 ½ cups fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

 - Fresh basil leaves

 - 2 tbsp olive oil

 - Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the Dough:

 - In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast.

 - Gradually add warm water and olive oil, stirring until a dough forms.

 - Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.

 - Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

Preheat the Oven:

 - Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) or as high as it will go.

 - If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.

Shape the Pizza:

 - Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a floured surface.

 - Roll out the dough to your desired thickness, then transfer it to a parchment-lined pizza peel or baking sheet.

Assemble the Pizza:

 - Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

 - Arrange the mozzarella slices evenly on top of the sauce.

 - Drizzle with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Bake the Pizza:

 - Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven or pizza stone.

 - Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Garnish and Serve:

 - Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately top with fresh basil leaves.

 - Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Enjoy your homemade Pizza Margherita with its classic, fresh flavors that capture the essence of Italian cuisine!

Nutritional values

For the Dough:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

 - Calories: About 455 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: 95g

 - Protein: 13g

 - Fat: 1g

Benefits:

 - Provides the main structure and texture of the dough.

 - Rich in carbohydrates for energy.

1 tsp salt

 - Sodium: About 2300mg

Benefits:

 - Enhances flavor and helps with dough texture.

1 tsp sugar

 - Calories: About 16 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: 4g

Benefits:

 - Feeds the yeast to help it activate and rise the dough.

1 tsp instant yeast

 - Calories: About 11 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: 2g

Benefits:

 - Helps the dough rise and develop texture.

1 cup warm water

 - Calories: 0 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: 0g

Benefits:

 - Activates the yeast and helps in forming the dough.

2 tbsp olive oil

 - Calories: About 120 kcal

 - Fat: 14g

 - Saturated Fat: 2g

 - Carbohydrates: 0g

Benefits:

 - Adds flavor and richness to the dough.

 - Provides healthy monounsaturated fats.

For the Topping:

1 cup tomato sauce

 - Calories: About 80 kcal

 - Carbohydrates: 17g

 - Protein: 2g

 - Fat: 1g

Benefits:

 - Provides the base of the topping, rich in vitamins A and C, and antioxidants like lycopene.

1 ½ cups fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

 - Calories: About 80 kcal

 - Fat: 6g

 - Protein: 6g

 - Carbohydrates: 1g

Benefits:

 - Adds creaminess and flavor.

 - Provides calcium and protein.

Fresh basil leaves

 - Calories: About 1 kcal

Benefits:

 - Adds a fresh flavor and contains vitamins A and C.

2 tbsp olive oil

 - Calories: About 120 kcal

 - Fat: 14g

 - Saturated Fat: 2g

Benefits:

 - Adds flavor and contains healthy fats.

Salt and pepper to taste

 - Salt (per teaspoon): Sodium: About 2300mg

 - Pepper (per teaspoon): Calories: About 6 kcal

Benefits:

 - Enhances flavor of the pizza.

The pizza dough is rich in carbohydrates and fats, providing energy and a tender texture. The topping combines the rich, antioxidant-rich benefits of tomato sauce with the creamy, protein-rich mozzarella cheese. Fresh basil adds a burst of flavor and nutrients, while the olive oil enhances the overall taste and provides healthy fats.