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HomelyRecipes
Dinner Weekend Project

Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil

Restaurant-quality homemade pizza with a crisp, chewy crust and bubbling fresh mozzarella.

Prep: 90 min · Cook: 15 min · Total: ~2 hrs Makes: 2 large pizzas ★★★★★ 4.9 (287 ratings)
Margherita pizza with fresh basil and melted mozzarella

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix flour, yeast, and salt. Add water and olive oil; knead 8–10 minutes until smooth. Rise 1 hour until doubled.

  2. 2

    Divide dough in two, shape into balls, and rest 15 minutes.

  3. 3

    Preheat oven to its hottest setting (500–550°F / 260–290°C) with a pizza stone or steel for 30 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stretch each ball into a 12" round. Spread with tomato sauce, top with mozzarella.

  5. 5

    Bake 8–12 minutes until crust is blistered and cheese bubbles. Finish with fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt.

Pro tip: No pizza stone? Use a heavy upside-down baking sheet preheated in the oven — it crisps the bottom beautifully.