50 Must-Try Recipes for Pizza Lovers

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Pizza Margherita

Any pizza aficionado should know how to make a classic Italian Margherita pizza. As Italians know best, less is more, and this recipe proves you only need a handful of high-quality ingredients to make a mouthwatering dish.

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 2 store-bought or homemade pizza doughs
• 2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or torn into pieces
• 4-6 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced (or use 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved)
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
  
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Cornmeal or flour for dusting

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 475°F. 
2. Roll out each pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. For a classic Margherita, a thinner crust is usually preferred.
3. Transfer the rolled-out doughs to pizza peels or baking sheets lined with parchment paper and lightly dusted with cornmeal or flour to prevent sticking.
4. Brush each dough with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ensuring the entire surface is lightly coated.
5. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes over each dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
6. Evenly distribute the sliced or torn mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each pizza.
7. Arrange the tomato slices (or cherry tomato halves) on top of the cheese on each pizza.
   
8. Carefully transfer the pizzas to the preheated oven (or onto the pizza stones, if using).
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crusts are golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
10. Remove the pizzas from the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes.
11. Scatter the fresh basil leaves over the top of each pizza.
12. Drizzle each pizza with the remaining olive oil.
13. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
14. Slice and serve hot.

Enjoy!