Italian Pizza Margherita Recipe (Authentic Neapolitan Recipe)

Pizza was originally invented in Naples, Italy, and it has become one of the most popular dishes in the world. While there are many types of pizza worldwide, Pizza Margherita is perhaps the most famous one. It was invented in Naples in 1889 in honor of the visiting Queen Margherita. It’s simple with only a few ingredients (but always fresh and of the best quality) and has the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomato), green (basil), and white (mozzarella).

Italian Pizza Margherita Recipe

Ingredients:

For the dough
2 lb all-purpose flour
2 cups water
1 oz fresh yeast
1 teaspoon salt

For the topping
1 lb mozzarella cheese
1 lb canned tomatoes
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
basil leaves, to taste
salt, to taste

Preparation Instructions:
On a marble or wooden work surface, shape the flour into a well. Place the warm water, yeast and salt in the center, being careful not to let the salt come in contact with the yeast. Knead the dough vigorously in a mixer or with your hands until the dough becomes soft and smooth (for about 15-20 minutes). Once the dough has the right consistency, shape the dough into a ball (adding a little flour or water if needed). Cover with a plastic bowl so that it’s protected from the air. Let rise for about 1 hour in a warm place or for about 3-4 hours at room temperature. Once the dough has risen it will be double in volume. Make 6 loaves, model them into spherical shapes, cover with a sheet of plastic wrap and let rise for about 45 minutes in a warm place or for a few hours at room temperature. As soon as the loaves have doubled in volume, prepare the tomato sauce and place it in a bowl. Add 1/3 of the olive oil and a pinch of salt. Knead the dough, then flatten it using your fingers. Use a spoon or a ladle to spread a good amount of tomato sauce on the pizza. Then cover with mozzarella pieces. Garnish with a few basil leaves and bake in the oven at 480 degrees F for about 5-6 minutes. Once ready, remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with more basil and a drizzle of oil. Serve immediately.

Photo credit: NwongPR