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This classic margherita pizza recipe is everything a great pizza should be—simple, fresh, and packed with flavor. Made with a thin, chewy crust, rich tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil, it’s the kind of pizza that proves simple ingredients really are best.
Table of Contents
- What is a Margherita Pizza?
- Ingredients for a Margherita Pizza Recipe
- How to Make Margherita Pizza
- Recipe Tip
- Tools for the Best Pizza
- What Flour Is Best for Pizza Dough?
- What Are San Marzano Tomatoes?
- How to Reheat Pizza
- More Pizza Recipes You’ll Love
- Watch How This Pizza is Made…
- Classic Margherita Pizza Recipe
My go-to order at any pizza restaurant is always a margherita—hands down my favorite! So naturally, I had to create a classic margherita pizza recipe that rivals the pies I’ve had in Italy.
If a pizza place can nail a margherita, you know it’s good. It’s the simplest pizza—so every ingredient has to shine. The crust in this recipe is a Neapolitan crust which means that it is thin and chewy. This pizza crust recipe is flawless and the perfect complement to the simple and delicate but bold flavor of a margherita pizza.
This easy homemade margherita pizza is perfect for pizza night and comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients.
What is a Margherita Pizza?
Margherita pizza is a traditional Italian pizza made with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, salt, and olive oil.
Why You’ll Love This Margherita Pizza
- Better than takeout
- Classic, simple ingredients
- Thin, chewy Neapolitan-style crust
- Fresh, bright flavor from basil and tomatoes
- Ready for homemade pizza night
Ingredients for a Margherita Pizza Recipe
This classic margherita pizza uses simple, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
Dough:
- Baker’s flour (or 00 flour): essential to getting that chewy crust you want in a pizza, see section below for more details
- Warm water (105–115°F): activates the yeast properly
- Sea Salt: go for fine grain, adds flavor to the crust
- Sugar: feeds the yeast
- Instant Yeast: don’t use active dry yeast
Sauce:
- San Marzano Tomatoes: use whole, crushed, or diced—blend until smooth for the sauce
- Sea Salt: adds flavor to the sauce
Toppings:
- Fresh Mozzarella: creamy and melty—use slices or torn pieces
- Fresh Basil: adds bright, fresh flavor—leave leaves whole or tear before adding.
- Olive Oil: adds a little extra flavor classic to a margherita
How to Make Margherita Pizza
Making margherita pizza at home is simpler than you might think. With just a few basic steps and quality ingredients, you’ll have a fresh, flavorful pizza ready in no time.
- Prepare the dough and let it come to room temperature.
- Preheat a pizza stone in a 550°F oven.
- Blend the tomato sauce until smooth.
- Stretch the dough into a thin round and place on a floured pizza peel.
- Par-bake the crust for a few minutes, then remove from the oven.
- Add sauce, mozzarella, basil and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Finish with more fresh basil (if desired), slice, and serve.
Recipe Tip
Don’t overload your pizza with sauce or cheese—keeping toppings light helps the crust stay crisp and cook evenly.
Tools for the Best Pizza
- Pizza Stone or Pizza Steel – helps create a crispy crust
- Pizza Peel – makes transferring the pizza easier
What Flour Is Best for Pizza Dough?
Bread flour or baker’s flour works best for a chewy crust thanks to its higher protein content. You can also use 00 flour for a more traditional Italian texture.
What Are San Marzano Tomatoes?
San Marzano tomatoes are a type of plum tomato known for their rich flavor and low acidity, making them ideal for pizza sauce.
How to Reheat Pizza
Reheat pizza in a skillet over medium heat for a crispy crust. Add a few drops of water to the pan and cover to melt the cheese.
If you’re looking for a simple, classic pizza that never disappoints, this margherita pizza recipe is it. With its thin, chewy crust, fresh toppings, and bold flavor, it’s proof that the best pizzas don’t need a long list of ingredients—just the right ones. My favorite pizza ever!
More Pizza Recipes You’ll Love
- Pizza Sauce
- Pizza Dough Recipe
- Four Cheese Margherita Pizza
- Pulled Pork Pizza
- Elote Mexican Corn Grilled Pizza
- Pesto Pepperoni and Sausage Grilled Pizza
- All our Pizza recipes!
Watch How This Pizza is Made…
Classic Margherita Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 Batch Pizza Dough, *see note
For the Sauce:
- 1 Can San Marzano Tomatoes, 14 oz (**see note)
- 3/4 teaspoon Sea Salt, fine grain
For the Toppings:
- 8 Ounces Fresh Mozzarella, torn into pieces
- Basil, fresh, whole leaves, you only need a few
- Olive Oil, for drizzling on top
Instructions
For the Crust:
- Prepare the pizza dough according to the recipe instructions at least 24 hours in advance.1 Batch Pizza Dough
- About 60–90 minutes before baking, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
- Place a pizza stone on the upper rack of your oven and preheat to 550°F for 45–50 minutes. While the pizza stone is heating, make the sauce.
For the Sauce:
- Add the tomatoes and salt to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside. (***see note).1 Can San Marzano Tomatoes, 3/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
Assemble and Bake:
- Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Gently press and stretch the dough from the center outward, rotating as you go, until a thin round forms.
- Dust a pizza peel with flour and transfer the dough onto it.
- Turn the oven to broil for 5 minutes. Carefully slide the dough onto the hot pizza stone, then immediately reduce the oven temperature back to 550°F.
- Bake the crust for 2–3 minutes, until it just begins to set. Remove it from the oven using the pizza peel.
- Spread a thin layer of sauce over the crust, leaving a ½–1 inch border around the edges.
- Top with fresh mozzarella and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Add basil now or after baking, depending on preference.8 Ounces Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, Olive Oil
- Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 1–2 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, finish with fresh basil and an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired, then slice and serve. Repeat these steps with the remaining pizza dough.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This Margherita Pizza recipe is a masterpiece! The fresh ingredients, detailed instructions, and stunning photos make it so inspiring. I can’t wait to try this classic at home. Thank you!
Yay!! Thank you so much!!
This is a pizza that I never get tired of. And this recipe looks absolutely perfect!
one of my favorite ways to eat pizza…YUMMY!
one of my favorite ways to eat pizza…YUMMY!
yep..this is my kinda pizza!