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Easy 4-Step Italian Margarita Pizza

This easy Italian Margherita pizza recipe involves making a simple dough, preparing a quick tomato sauce, and baking the topped pizzas for a delicious, homemade pizza experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Cuisine Italian
Servings 5

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups strong bread flour
  • 1 tbsp instant yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil plus extra for drizzling
  • ½ cup passata (tomato puree)
  • 1 tsp dried basil or a handful of fresh basil leaves
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves (optional)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Dough

  • In a large bowl, mix the flour with the yeast and salt.
    Create a well in the center and pour in 3/4 cup (200ml) of warm water along with the olive oil.
    Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a soft, slightly sticky dough.
    Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth.
    Cover the dough with a tea towel and let it rest.
    For a thin crust, you can skip the rising time, but letting it rise will improve the texture if you have extra time.

Make the Tomato Sauce

  • Combine the passata, basil, and crushed garlic in a bowl.
    Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    Allow the sauce to sit at room temperature while you prepare the dough.

Roll Out the Dough

  • If you let the dough rise, give it a quick knead and then divide it into two equal portions.
    On a floured surface, roll each portion into a round about 10 inches (25cm) in diameter.
    Aim for a thin layer as it will puff up in the oven.
    Transfer each rolled dough onto floured baking sheets.

Assemble and Bake

  • Preheat your oven to 475°F (240°C) and place another baking sheet or an inverted baking tray on the top rack.
    Spread the tomato sauce evenly over each pizza base using the back of a spoon.
    Top with slices of mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and halved cherry tomatoes.
    Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
    Place one pizza (on its baking sheet) onto the preheated tray or baking sheet in the oven.
    Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
    Remove from the oven and, if desired, add fresh basil leaves before serving.
    Repeat with the remaining pizza.