Sometimes the simplest can be the best which is quite possibly the case with pizzas. Sure you can go all out with your pizza toppings but there is something magical about a simple pizza topped with a good tomato sauce, mozzarella and some fresh basil! I already had my pizza dough so the next step was the tomato sauce and adhering to the keep it simple theme, I went with a sauce that was seasoned with some garlic and oregano. If tomatoes had been in season I would have gone with fresh vine ripened tomatoes but canned works well in the winter. For the cheese, you can go either with a ball of fresh mozzarella or you can go with a grated harder mozzarella. When it comes to the basil you could easily mix it in with the tomato sauce but I like to preserve the freshness of it so I add it after pulling the pizza out of the oven. This pizza margherita certainly brought me back to my vacation in Italy and I am glad that I can reproduce some of those amazing pizzas at home!
Pizza Margherita
ingredients
- 1 thin crust pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 ball fresh mozzarella (sliced 1/4 inch thick)
- a handful basil leaves
directions
- Roll the dough out very thinly on a lightly floured surface.
- Poke the dough with a fork all over.
- Place the dough on a pan and bake in a preheated 500F/260C oven until it just starts to turn golden brown, about 4 minutes.
- Pull the pizza out of the oven and top with the pizza sauce and mozzarella.
- Bake in the 500F/260C oven until the edges are golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.
- Top with basil and enjoy.
bellini valli says
January 11, 2011 at 12:37 pmThis is definitely one of my favourites ways with pizza Kevin, a little cheese and basil go a long way on flavour.
Prathima Rao says
January 11, 2011 at 12:39 pmYES…Sometime the simple ones with minimum ings are the best dishes..The pizza looks perfectly baked.. 🙂
Happy Cook says
January 11, 2011 at 1:54 pmI agree sometilmes simple taste much better, the pizza looks so so good with the thin crust, i have to say it looks as delicious as the one I had when we were in Napels for holiday.
Helene says
January 11, 2011 at 2:07 pmKevin there is nothing like a good pizza Margherita. I like to make my own tomato sauce also. Looks tasty.
Claudia says
January 11, 2011 at 2:16 pmAfter holiday eating, simple really beckons. This is my favorite pizza and the recipe is well- so wonderfully simpleand do-able! All I need is a brick oven for the perfect Italian experience.
Rhondi says
January 11, 2011 at 2:45 pmSimple and delicious! I hope to visit Italy some day. How lucky are you!
Carrie says
January 11, 2011 at 2:47 pmI completely agree that sometimes simplest is the best when it comes to pizza. Pizza margherita is my favorite, and yours looks great!
Lael Hazan @educatedpalate says
January 11, 2011 at 2:55 pmThis is one of the most famous pizza's in Italy and a true classic. I'm so glad you reminded us that simple, with good ingredients are often the best tasting recipes.
Les rêves d'une boulangère (Brittany) says
January 11, 2011 at 3:20 pmYou're sure right. Simple is the best. Particularly with Italian food, I think. Our favourite is margherita!
Jennifer says
January 11, 2011 at 3:26 pmBeautiful! Simple really can be the best…I totally agree!
Liv says
January 11, 2011 at 3:31 pmThat look wonderful. One of my favorites is caramelized onions, grapes and feta- no sauce just brush the crust with olive oil.
Thibeault's Table says
January 11, 2011 at 3:35 pmBeautiful Pizza. Can't go wrong with a simple Pizza Margherita.
Ann
jose manuel says
January 11, 2011 at 3:44 pmEs una de mis pizzas favoritas, su sencillez me fascina.
Saludos
manu says
January 11, 2011 at 3:56 pmPizza is my favourite dish, I love it. I eat pizza in every place of the world!
Kath says
January 11, 2011 at 4:09 pmYour pizza looks so amazing! I'm putting it on my "must try" list!
Blog is the New Black says
January 11, 2011 at 6:33 pmOne of my fav combos!
Kitchen Roadie says
January 11, 2011 at 10:32 pmSimplicity is sometimes the best!!!
I also prefer to use homemade pizza sauce. I often sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese before adding the toppings.
Natasha says
January 12, 2011 at 12:29 amSimple is always best isn't it?! This pizza looks just perfect 🙂
Ana Powell says
January 12, 2011 at 12:41 amHappy New Year
Easy to make and so delicious ♥
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
January 12, 2011 at 1:32 pmI love this simple pizza. Yours looks delicious!
We Are Not Martha says
January 12, 2011 at 1:39 pmIt's so true that sometimes the most simple is the best! And this looks absolutely delicious 🙂 I wish I had all the ingredients in my kitchen to make on this snowy day!
Sues
Anonymous says
January 12, 2011 at 3:07 pmLooks so good! I have to try your pizza dough recipe as I love a crispy thin crust. Nothing better than a homemade pizza! My dream is to visit Italy someday soon!
Anonymous says
January 12, 2011 at 3:33 pmTruly droolworthy Kevin! Going to try your thin crust recipe next time I make pizza.
Sally Darling says
January 12, 2011 at 4:29 pmFANTASTIC job. This looks incredible! Wonderful photos and oh so delicous! Great job
Dawn says
January 12, 2011 at 6:07 pmI have been hankering for pizza lately. I bought a shell at whole foods and vowed never to buy a pizza shell again. It just isn't the same when the crust isn't as fresh. Although I do like pizza made with naan. This looks so good!
Rocky Mountain Woman says
January 12, 2011 at 10:11 pmI am all over that. Simple, wonderful comfort food for a cold winter night….
Robo Stir says
January 12, 2011 at 10:31 pmWhat a great recipe. This pizza margherita looks great!
Velva says
January 13, 2011 at 1:15 amThere is something special about a simply prepared pizza. I think the margerita style is the way to go!
Hope you are staying warm.
Velva
dining room table says
January 13, 2011 at 6:26 amThis pizza looks so terrific! I totally love this one. The cheese is overwhelming.
Li says
January 15, 2011 at 9:57 pmI made pizza today, after being inspired by you. Just noticed your blog few days ago, and already love it! Tomorrow I'm gonna try the caramelized apple grilled cheese sandwich.
cajunlicious says
July 7, 2011 at 10:40 pmKevin this pizza looks amazing, found it looking for sauce.