Quick and Easy Margherita Pizza
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
17 mins
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Cook Time
13 mins
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Additional Time
10 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
562 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Quick and Easy Margherita Pizza
Description
The Quick and Easy Margherita Pizza recipe begins with a yeast dough made from all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, water, and oil. After kneading until smooth and elastic, the dough rests briefly to develop gluten and rise slightly. Meanwhile, a balsamic glaze is prepared by reducing balsamic vinegar with honey and salt until syrupy. The dough is then shaped into a 12-inch round, pinching the edges to form a crust. The pizza sauce is spread on the crust, leaving the edges clear for structure. Mozzarella slices and thin tomato slices are arranged on top, followed by a sprinkle of herbs and seasonings before baking in a 400°F oven.
During baking, the crust crisps around the edges while remaining soft inside, and the cheese melts and melds with the tomatoes creating a classic Margherita flavor. The balsamic glaze drizzled on after baking adds a sweet acidity that balances the savory elements. Fresh basil can be baked on for a cooked herbal note or added after baking to preserve brightness.
This pizza is well suited to a casual meal or a special homemade dinner, served alone or with a simple green salad. It captures the essence of Margherita pizza using everyday pantry staples and minimal preparation time compared to slow-rise doughs.
If preparing crust ahead, complete dough kneading and rest, then wrap and refrigerate or freeze; thaw fully before shaping.For a deeper basil flavor, bake it on pizza though it will brown; for fresh color, add basil after baking.Consider adding roasted garlic, kalamata olives, or feta cheese to vary toppings.Sprinkle red pepper flakes before serving to add subtle heat.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ¾-2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 envelope instant yeast Fleischmann's® RapidRise® brand
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup water 120-130º F, very warm
- 3 tablespoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
Toppings
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese sliced or torn into 1-inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon herbes de provence or Italian seasoning blend
- 2 tomato thinly sliced
- 2-3 tablespoons balsamic glaze store-bought OR see below for recipe
- basil fresh
- sea salt coarse sea salt and freshly cracked
- black pepper coarse sea salt and freshly cracked
Balsamic Glaze
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 4 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl whisk together 1 3/4 cup flour, undissolved yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add water and oil and mix until ingredients come together in a ball (it will be sticky at this point!).
- Knead on a floured surface, adding more flour periodically as needed, until smooth and elastic (4-5 minutes.) Allow to rest for 10 minutes. (Meanwhile, proceed with next step.)
- While dough is resting, prepare the balsamic glaze by adding balsamic vinegar to a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 6-10 minutes until reduced to half the original volume. Remove from heat, stir in honey and salt. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool and thicken.
- Roll or pat dough into a 12-inch circle on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Pinch edges to create a ½-inch crust around the perimeter of the dough.
- Spread sauce over the crust (leave pinched edges uncovered with toppings). Arrange cheese pieces all over the pizza, followed by tomato slices. Sprinkle Herbs de Provence over the top.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until cheese is bubby and crust is golden-brown.
- Top with fresh basil, coarse sea salt and cracked black pepper, and a hearty drizzle of balsamic glaze. Slice and serve.
Notes
- If preparing crust ahead, complete dough kneading and rest, then wrap and refrigerate or freeze; thaw fully before shaping.
- For a deeper basil flavor, bake it on pizza though it will brown; for fresh color, add basil after baking.
- Consider adding roasted garlic, kalamata olives, or feta cheese to vary toppings.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes before serving to add subtle heat.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 562 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 562kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 86g | 29% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 22mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 941mg | 39% |
| Potassium | 419mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 33g | 66% |
| Vitamin A | 841IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 185mg | 19% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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