Margherita Pizza – Recipe & Cooking Instructions

Margherita Pizza – Recipe & Cooking Instructions

Margherita Pizza is one of the most iconic and beloved types of pizza worldwide, and it is also among the oldest known varieties.

This pizza is named after Queen Margherita of Italy, who visited the city of Naples—the birthplace of pizza—in 1899, fleeing the cholera outbreak that was spreading through northern Italy. To honor her visit, the renowned Italian chef Raffaele Esposito prepared a special pizza representing the colors of the Italian flag: red from tomatoes, white from mozzarella cheese, and green from fresh basil and oregano. This culinary tribute was so well received that it was named after the queen herself—Margherita.

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Ingredients for Margherita Pizza (Serves 4):

 

For the Dough:

• 500 grams flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp sugar

• 6 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp instant yeast

• 1 cup water

For the Topping:

• 500 grams chopped tomatoes

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 5 fresh basil leaves

• 1 tsp white pepper

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• 2 cups mozzarella cheese

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How to Prepare Margherita Pizza:

Start by preparing the dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, salt, sugar, and olive oil. Gradually add the water while mixing, until a cohesive dough forms.

Knead the dough into a smooth ball, cover it with a cloth, and let it rise for about an hour until doubled in size.

Once risen, roll the dough out on a floured surface into a round pizza shape.

To prepare the sauce, heat olive oil in a pan and add the basil leaves, tomato paste, oregano, white pepper, and minced garlic. Stir briefly, then add the chopped tomatoes. Let the mixture simmer over low heat for about one hour.

After cooking, strain the sauce to remove coarse ingredients, then blend briefly to create a smooth pizza sauce.

Lightly grease a round pizza tray with olive oil and place the dough in it. Spread half of the sauce over the dough, then sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese on top. Finish by sprinkling some oregano over the cheese.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F) and bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Remove from the oven, slice, and serve to your family and friends so they can enjoy the authentic and delicious taste of Italian Margherita Pizza.