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Homemade Margherita Pizza is a simple and delicious pizza recipe made in a cast-iron skillet with homemade pizza crust, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
If you know me or have been following me for a while, then you already know how much I love pizza.
It is so delicious and can be made in so many different ways. I love creating restaurant version pizzas at home and the process is so easy once I was able to master making my own pizza dough using a stand mixer. The process is so easy and perfect to make a day in advance to have ready to use for your at-home pizza nights.
Today I decided to share my version of margherita pizza. This recipe is simple with few ingredients. When made in a cast iron skillet it gives the same flavor as a pizzeria oven.
What ingredients are needed to make a classic margherita pizza?
- Homemade Pizza Crust - I have a simple recipe that makes homemade pizza dough in minutes. This recipe can be prepared a day in advance to use to make margherita pizza. If you prefer to use prepared pizza dough from the grocery store, then you can use that instead but the nutrition information will be different.
- Tomato sauce - Keep the sauce simple with as few ingredients as possible for classic margherita pizza. Use your favorite pizza sauce or opt to use canned crushed san marzano tomatoes seasoned with salt. Keep it this ingredient as simple as possible. Uncomplicated is best for this classic pizza recipe.
- Fresh mozzarella cheese - Choose fresh buffalo mozzarella that is not packed in water or be sure to press the water out before using. Use only fresh mozzarella for this recipe and not the shredded packaged version.
- Fresh basil - Keep the fresh basil leaves whole or chop if you prefer.
- Olive oil - Use this ingredient to cook the pizza in the cast iron skillet as well as some to drizzle over the finished pizza before serving.
How to make traditional margherita pizza:
Begin by making the recipe for Homemade Pizza Crust and stop the recipe before baking or at step #11 in the recipe card. Divide the dough into 4 evenly shaped balls which will be big enough to fit into a 12-inch cast iron skillet.
Place one of the pizza dough balls onto a lightly floured clean surface and shape with your hands by turning and shaping to form the round pizza shape. Use the size of the cast iron skillet as your guide. The pizza should perfectly inside the cast iron skillet with a little more thickness on the outer edge of the dough.
Place the cast iron skillet on the stove over medium-high heat about 5 minutes, until the pan begins to lightly smoke. Add olive oil and immediately place the formed pizza dough into the skillet. Allow it to cook undisturbed 3 to 4 minutes until the dough begins to bubble and the bottom has charred a little bit. Flip the pizza crust on the opposite side to continue cooking 1 to 2 minutes longer, until the crust is completely dry.
At the same time spread an even layer of tomato sauce on top of the pizza.
Add the fresh mozzarella cheese in an even layer over the tomato sauce.
To finish the pizza, carefully place the pizza under the broiler on low for 3 to 6 minutes until the mozzarella cheese has melted, the sauce is bubbly, and the edge of the pizza becomes golden. Remove the pizza from the oven and top with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe
Homemade Margherita Pizza
Equipment
- cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by making the recipe for Homemade Pizza Crust and stop the recipe before baking or at step #11 in the recipe card.
- Divide the dough into 4 evenly shaped balls which will be big enough to fit into a 12-inch cast iron skillet.
- Place one of the pizza dough balls onto a lightly floured clean surface and shape with your hands by turning and shaping to form the round pizza shape.
- Use the size of the cast iron skillet as your guide. The pizza should perfectly inside the cast iron skillet with a little more thickness on the outer edge of the dough.
- Place the cast iron skillet on the stove over medium-high heat about 5 minutes, until the pan begins to lightly smoke. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and immediately place the formed pizza dough into the skillet.
- Allow it to cook undisturbed 3 to 4 minutes until the dough begins to bubble and the bottom has charred a little bit. Flip the pizza crust on the opposite side to continue cooking 1 to 2 minutes longer, until the crust is completely dry.
- At the same time spread an even layer of ½ cup tomato sauce on top of the pizza.
- Add the ¼ cup or 2 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese in an even layer over the tomato sauce.
- To finish the pizza, carefully place the pizza under the broiler on low for 3 to 6 minutes until the mozzarella cheese has melted, the sauce is bubbly, and the edge of the pizza becomes golden.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and top with ¼ of the total amount of fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Continue the process with the additional 3 pizza dough balls and ingredients. Serve warm and enjoy!
- Store any leftover pizza in the refrigerator in an airtight container or plastic bag up to 3 days. Reheat before serving leftovers.
Nutrition
*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Want more homemade pizza recipes? Try these:
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas for this Homemade Margherita Pizza? Please share them in the comments below!
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