Margherita Pizza
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Posted: 05/31/19
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Nothing is as good as a homemade Margherita Pizza! This recipe starts with a delicious homemade pizza dough then it is topped with every day ingredients like pizza sauce, extra-virgin olive oil, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, lightly dried basil, fresh ground pepper and more. The simplicity of toppings in this pizza let all the flavors really shine through for an amazing flavor profile. This will become one of your favorite pizza recipes to make at home!
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The Best Margherita Pizza!
This post is sponsored by Gourmet Garden. All text and opinions are my own.
As one can imagine, I’m always looking for fresh new twists on recipes.
While a Margherita pizza is not a fresh new twist I think it’s one of those recipes that a lot of people are a little unsure of.
My friends, get on board with this pizza recipe! The flavor is amazing and it’s such a fun way to mix up your pizza routine.
Are you a Friday night, homemade pizza ritual kind of family?
This is going on your menu the next pizza night because it’s delicious!
I always think the name “Margherita Pizza” makes it sound a bit fancy and fun! It also makes it a bit intimidating in my mind, but I assure you no need to be intimidated.
It’s a quick and easy pizza to make, bursting with an epic flavor combo. You’ve gotta try this one!
Margherita Pizza FAQs!
I think Margherita Pizza’s are a little bit of an unique type of pizza so many people have a few questions about them!
Here are a few of the more frequently asked questions.
If you have a question that isn’t answered please leave us a comment below and we will do our best to answer it!
What does a Margherita pizza have on it?
Simply put, a Margherita Pizza is a pizza crust topped with tomato sauce, sliced tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, basil and extra-virgin olive oil.
What is Margherita Pizza?
First, of all this pizza does not have anything to do with Margaritas!
The Margherita is one of three Neapolitan pizzas and is defined as being made with tomato, sliced mozzarella, basil and extra-virgin olive oil.
Why is it called Margherita Pizza?
The Margherita Pizza is named after a queen! How fun is that?
This pizza is named after Queen Margherita of Savoy, which was a consort of Italy.
The legend behind this pizza is that the Queen was on a trip to Naples with her husband and she was tired of the gourmet French food on the trip.
She asked Raffaele Esposito of Pizzeria Brandi, one of the world’s most famous pizza makers, to make her pizza.
The story goes that her favorite one was one made with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. Therefore, Esposito named the pizza after her.
Now, there’s a lot of disputes behind this story so who knows if it’s really true!
Another theory is that the word margherita translates to “Daisy” in Italian. Some suggest it’s as simple as this pizza getting it’s name because of the daisy-shaped arrangement of mozzarella and basil on top.
Is Margherita Pizza healthier than regular pizza?
Pizza will never really be “healthy”, but you can make it “healthier”!
Start by switching to a thin multi grain crust and top with with healthier choices.
The Margherita pizza is topped with tomato, mozzarella and Gourmet Garden lightly dried chopped basil along with olive oil.
As far as pizza toppings go this is a healthier line up. Don’t let the olive oil scare you off! It can actually help lower your risk of heart disease because of its high content of monounsaturated fats!
Margherita Pizza Recipe!
What are you waiting for? Head to your grocery store and get the ingredients to make Margherita Pizza!
Don’t forget your Gourmet Garden lightly dried chopped basil and Garlic Paste to take this Margherita Pizza over the top with flavor!
In fact, you can grab your Garlic Paste out of the refrigerator from when you made Texas Caviar last week! Did you know Gourmet Garden’s stays fresh for up to 3 months? I love that! I also love that I can just squeeze and go with their Garlic Paste. There’s no peeling, chopping or smelly hands afterwards!
A quick tip for garlic conversion from fresh to Gourmet Garden is 1 tsp –> 1 medium clove garlic.
If you don’t have their Garlic Paste or lightly dried chopped basil on hand you can find it conveniently located in the produce section at your local grocery store.
While you’re grabbing that, make sure to check out all their Stir-in Pastes and Lightly Dried Herbs to make your everyday cooking easier!
Psssst, their stir-in pastes stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three months once opened! How convenient is that?
Ingredients for Margherita Pizza
- Homemade pizza dough
- Olive oil
- Gourmet Garden Stir-In Garlic Paste
- Pizza sauce
- Fresh mozzarella cheese
- Plum tomatoes
- Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Basil
- Fresh ground pepper
How to make Margherita Pizza
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Prepare pizza dough according to directions. Roll out into a round pizza. Score with fork to prevent bubbles while baking. We love this pizza dough. It will make two pizzas!
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Mix the olive oil and garlic together in small dish. Brush the top of the dough lightly with mixture. Top with pizza sauce, then the mozzarella cubes and then tomato slices. Sprinkle with Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Basil and fresh black pepper.
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Bake for 22-24 minutes. Place back in oven and continue to bake until crust is lightly browned and cheese is bubbling.
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Remove from the oven and slice pizza. Serve immediately.
More Great Pizza Recipes!
Looking for a fun new twist on pizza? Then this definitely is the recipe for you!
Love it? I knew you would! Rate it, please!! It would be awesome if you’d give it a five-star rating below!
If you snap any photos, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your pictures!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Margherita Pizza Recipe
Margherita Pizza starts with a delicious homemade pizza dough then is topped with every day ingredients like pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, lightly dried basil, fresh ground pepper and more.
Ingredients
- ½ recipe homemade pizza dough
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp Gourmet Garden Stir-In Garlic Paste
- 1/ c. pizza sauce
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese cut into 1/2-inch cubes (*preferably fresh mozzarella not packed in water)
- 2 plum tomatoes sliced
- 2 Tbsp Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Basil
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare pizza dough according to directions. Roll out into a round pizza. Score with fork to prevent bubbles while baking. We love this pizza dough. It will make two pizzas!
- Mix the olive oil and garlic together in small dish. Brush the top of the dough lightly with mixture. Top with pizza sauce, then the mozzarella cubes and then tomato slices. Sprinkle with Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Basil and fresh black pepper.
- Bake for 22-24 minutes. Place back in oven and continue to bake until crust is lightly browned and cheese is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and slice pizza. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 451kcal (23%), Carbohydrates: 50g (17%), Protein: 20g (40%), Fat: 19g (29%), Saturated Fat: 8g (50%), Cholesterol: 44mg (15%), Sodium: 1064mg (46%), Potassium: 144mg (4%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 7g (8%), Vitamin A: 640IU (13%), Vitamin C: 4.7mg (6%), Calcium: 315mg (32%), Iron: 3.9mg (22%)
Malinda Linnebur says
This will be perfect for dinner tonight!!
Julie Evink says
Hope everyone loved it!
Renee Goerger says
I’ve even made this on the outdoor grill. Amazing!
Julie Evink says
Oh that’s a brilliant idea for summer!
Jenni says
Whoa, this is the ultimate summer pizza recipe! I haven’t seen that dried basil before but I am going to go hunt it down now – it seems awesome!
Julie Evink says
It is! Perfect for summer!
Cindy says
Love, love, love this simple and elegant pizza and I plan to use my fresh basil!
Julie Evink says
Hope you enjoy it Cindy!
Danielle Green says
Oh my, I will be trying this soon. The top looks absolutely amazing!
Julie Evink says
Can’t go wrong with this favorite!