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Homemade Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and San Marzano Tomatoes Recipe

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3.9 from 56 reviews

This homemade Margherita Pizza recipe is a simple yet delicious classic Italian dish featuring a crispy crust topped with fresh mozzarella, homemade San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil. Perfect for a quick and flavorful meal, it emphasizes using high-quality ingredients to bring out the authentic flavors.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3 to 4 servings

Ingredients

Tomato Sauce

  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole San Marzano tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 2 small garlic cloves
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt

Pizza

  • Cornmeal, for stretching the dough
  • 1 pound Pizza Dough, store-bought or homemade
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, torn or thinly sliced
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Red pepper flakes, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 500°F to ensure it is hot enough for a crispy, perfectly cooked pizza crust.
  2. Prepare Tomato Sauce: In a food processor, combine the whole San Marzano tomatoes with their juices, 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, and sea salt. Process until the mixture is smooth and well-blended to create a fresh homemade pizza sauce.
  3. Prepare Dough: Lightly dust a baking sheet with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Place the pizza dough on the baking sheet and gently stretch it by hand into a large oval shape, maintaining an even thickness.
  4. Assemble Pizza: Evenly spread a heaping ½ cup of the prepared tomato sauce over the stretched dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges to form the crust. Then, distribute the torn or thinly sliced fresh mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
  5. Bake Pizza: Transfer the assembled pizza to the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Add Final Toppings: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately top with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Drizzle additional olive oil over the top for extra richness.
  7. Serve: Slice and serve the pizza hot to enjoy the fresh flavors and crisp crust at their best.

Notes

  • Store leftover pizza sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze it for up to three months for future use.
  • Using San Marzano tomatoes is key to achieving an authentic and deeply flavorful sauce.
  • If you don't have a baking sheet, a pizza stone preheated in the oven can enhance crust texture.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic or red pepper flakes based on your flavor preference.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://recipesvibe.com/homemade-margherita-pizza-with-fresh-basil-and-san-marzano-tomatoes-recipe/