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Pizza Margherita

Pizza Margherita

This homemade Pizza Margherita is all about simple ingredients done right — soft, airy crust, bright tomato sauce, melty fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil. It’s cozy, classic, and totally doable at home, even if you’ve never made pizza before. No stress, no fancy tools — just real comfort food with Italian soul.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course pizza
Cuisine Italian
Servings 3
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the dough (homemade but easy):

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 packet instant yeast about 2 ¼ teaspoons
  • ¾ cup warm water not hot—think cozy bath temp
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the topping:

  • ½ cup crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce simple, no sugar added
  • 1 –2 cloves garlic minced (optional but… not really optional)
  • Salt & black pepper
  • Olive oil
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella sliced or torn
  • Fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

Dough first, babe

  • In a big bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add the warm water and olive oil, then mix till it comes together into a shaggy dough.
  • Turn it onto the counter and knead for about 8–10 minutes.
  • Yes, it’s a workout. Yes, you deserve snacks later.
  • You want it smooth, soft, and slightly springy. If it’s sticky, sprinkle a little flour—but don’t go wild. We want soft dough, not a brick.
  • Place it in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise somewhere warm for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
  • Go scroll. Go clean nothing. Go live your life.

Sauce = simple queen energy

  • In a small bowl, mix the crushed tomatoes, garlic, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
  • That’s it.
  • No cooking. No sugar. No 17 spices fighting each other. This sauce is fresh, bright, and chill—just like we’re trying to be.
  • Taste it. Adjust. Trust your tongue.

Stretch, don’t fight

  • Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Hot oven = happy pizza.
  • Punch down the dough (very satisfying), then stretch it gently into a circle.
  • No rolling pin unless you absolutely must. We want air in the crust—she deserves to puff.
  • If it’s not a perfect circle, congratulations, you made it authentic.
  • Place it on a baking sheet or parchment paper. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.

Top it like you mean it

  • Spread a thin layer of sauce over the dough. Thin, babe. This isn’t soup night.
  • Add the mozzarella—scatter it, don’t smother it. We want pockets of cheese, not a blanket situation.
  • Finish with a tiny drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
  • Basil comes after baking. Trust me.

Bake till bubbly and gorgeous

  • Slide that beauty into the oven and bake for 10–14 minutes, depending on your oven.
  • You’re looking for:
  • golden crust
  • bubbling cheese
  • little charred spots that scream “restaurant energy”
  • If your oven has a hot spot, rotate the pan halfway through. No one likes uneven tanning.

The finishing glow-up

  • Once it’s out, immediately add fresh basil leaves. They’ll wilt just enough and smell unreal.
  • Let the pizza rest for 2–3 minutes.
  • I know. It’s hard. But molten cheese burns are not cute.
  • Slice. Serve. Admire your work like the legend you are.

Notes

  • For best results, bake the pizza in a very hot oven (475°F / 245°C) to achieve a crispy crust.
  • Pat fresh mozzarella dry before using to prevent excess moisture.
  • Keep the sauce layer thin to avoid soggy pizza.
  • Add basil after baking for the freshest flavor.
  • Store leftover pizza in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat in the oven or skillet for best texture.
Keyword Pizza Margherita