Nothing beats the smell of homemade pizza fresh from the oven. This simple recipe brings the taste of Italy right to your kitchen!
Our pizza features a crispy crust topped with tangy marinara sauce, gooey mozzarella, and sweet cherry tomatoes. It’s proof that sometimes the simplest ingredients make the best meals.
Why settle for delivery when you can make this delicious pizza at home? You control the ingredients and can customize it just how you like. Extra cheese? Go for it! Thicker crust? You’re the boss!
This recipe is perfect for a cozy night in, family dinner, or casual get-together. Ready to give it a try? Let’s make some pizza!
Pizza Ingredients
Dough I’ve included a link to my go-to quick pizza dough recipe, but feel free to use your favorite or even store-bought if you’re short on time. No judgment here – we’re all about making great pizza accessible!
Marinara Sauce This isn’t just any old tomato sauce. Our marinara is a simple blend of crushed tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh basil. It’s bright, fresh, and lets the tomatoes shine. Plus, it comes together in minutes!
Fresh Mozzarella Creamy, melty mozzarella is a must. Go for the good stuff here – fresh mozzarella makes a world of difference. If you can find it, buffalo mozzarella is a game-changer.
Cherry Tomatoes These little flavor bombs add bursts of juicy sweetness. Plus, they look gorgeous scattered across the pizza. Win-win!
Olive Oil & Salt A drizzle of quality extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of salt at the end elevates all the flavors. Don’t skip this step!
Fresh Basil Optional, but highly recommended. A few torn basil leaves scattered over the hot pizza add color and that unmistakable aroma that screams “authentic Italian pizza!”
Now, who’s ready to turn their kitchen into the best pizzeria in town?
Margherita Pizza
Ingredients
Margherita Pizza
- Pizza dough your choice, or see quick recipe above
- 1 cup marinara sauce recipe below
- 1 ½ cups fresh mozzarella sliced or shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- Olive oil for drizzling
- Fresh basil leaves optional, for garnish
- Salt to taste
Marinara Sauce
- 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes or tomato purée
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- A handful of fresh basil leaves
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon sugar optional
Instructions
Marinara Sauce Recipe
- Blend the Ingredients: Combine crushed tomatoes, olive oil, basil, salt, and sugar in a blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend until the sauce is smooth.
- Taste and Adjust: Add more salt or sugar to taste if needed.
Margherita Pizza
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside.
- Roll Out the Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread marinara sauce over the dough, leaving a small border. Top with mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- If you like a crispier crust, bake the pizza dough for 3 minutes before adding toppings.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle some crushed red pepper or garlic powder over the top before baking.
- Use any leftovers of the marinara sauce for pasta or as a dipping sauce!
