Margherita Pizza from Scratch

Ingredients

Gather everything before you start cooking.

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the Dough

   In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy. Stir in the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.

   ~45 min

2. 2

   Make the Pizza Sauce

   While the dough is rising, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

   ~15 min

3. 3

   Preheat Oven and Prepare for Baking

   Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone or steel, place it in the oven during preheating.

   ~20 min

4. 4

   Form the Pizza

   Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and divide it in half. On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll each half into a 10-12 inch round. Carefully transfer each dough round to a piece of parchment paper or a lightly floured pizza peel.

   ~10 min

5. 5

   Assemble the Pizza

   Spread half of the pizza sauce evenly over each dough round, leaving a ½ inch border. Top with half of the fresh mozzarella slices and, if using, half of the Parmesan cheese.

   ~5 min

6. 6

   Bake the Pizza

   Carefully slide one pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The internal temperature of the crust should be at least 200°F (93°C).

   ~15 min

7. 7

   Garnish and Serve

   Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter half of the fresh basil leaves over the top. Let cool for a minute or two, then slice and serve. Repeat with the second pizza.

   ~5 min