Pizza margherita in 4 easy steps
See this recipe step by step

Pizza margherita in 4 easy steps

Even a novice cook can master the art of pizza with our simple step-by-step guide. Bellissimo

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Makes 2 pizzas, serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 mins

Cook time

Cook 10 mins

Vegetarian Freezable

Vegetarian

Pizzas uncooked

Method

  1. Make the base: Put the flour into a large bowl, then stir in the yeast and salt. Make a well, pour in 200ml warm water and the olive oil and bring together with a wooden spoon until you have a soft, fairly wet dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 mins until smooth. Cover with a tea towel and set aside. You can leave the dough to rise if you like, but it's not essential for a thin crust.
  2. Make the sauce: Mix the passata, basil and crushed garlic together, then season to taste. Leave to stand at room temperature while you get on with shaping the base.
  3. Roll out the dough: If you've let the dough rise, give it a quick knead, then split into two balls. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into large rounds, about 25cm across, using a rolling pin. The dough needs to be very thin as it will rise in the oven. Lift the rounds onto two floured baking sheets.
  4. Top and bake: Heat oven to 240C/fan 220C /gas 8. Put another baking sheet or an upturned baking tray in the oven on the top shelf. Smooth sauce over bases with the back of a spoon. Scatter with cheese and tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil and season. Put one pizza, still on its baking sheet, on top of the preheated sheet or tray. Bake for 8-10 mins until crisp. Serve with a little more olive oil, and basil leaves if using. Repeat step for remaining pizza.
Try

Troubleshooting

If the dough is too wet: Add a bit more flour and work it in. If dough is too stretchy to roll out: Leave it to rest for 10 mins or so, then try again. You need far more pressure when rolling dough than when rolling out pastry. If the base isn't cooked: Baking the pizza on top of a preheated sheet or tray should prevent this. However, it could be too thick or have too much topping. If the topping is cooked before the base, cover with foil and give it another 5 mins.

Choose your toppings

Fancy a bit more topping? Here's some suggestions. Olives, ham and chargrilled artichokes; Spicy sausage, chilli or jalapeños and sliced tomato; Spinach, garlic, gorgonzola cheese and a whole egg cracked on top; Creamy mascarpone, pesto, roasted red peppers and sliced mushrooms. Or if you are not sure what you fancy - why not do half and half.

Garlic & rosemary bread

Leave the dough a bit thicker, brush with oil and stud with rosemary sprigs. Bake for 15 mins or until risen and golden. Brush with garlic butter.

Calzone

Pile sauce and toppings onto one half of the dough circle, brush the edge with a little water, then fold and pinch to make a pasty shape. Bake until golden as before.

Per serving

431 kcalories, protein 19g, carbohydrate 59g, fat 15 g, saturated fat 7g, fibre 3g, sugar 2g, salt 1.87 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, September 2007.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 121-140

  • Binder photo macaulay

    05 February 2011

    macaulay commented on this recipe

    absoloutly brilliant recipe worked a treat for me and my brother

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  • Binder photo TubbyFunster

    07 February 2011

    TubbyFunster rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Perfect, used plain four and sunflower oil as it all I had in, yet still perfect, the best pizzas I have ever made at home.

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  • Binder photo x-beth-x

    10 February 2011

    x-beth-x commented on this recipe

    can you leave the base on this pizza thicker - I'm making it for my boyfriend and he hates a thin crust [which is annoying because I love them]

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  • Binder photo aticavo

    19 February 2011

    aticavo rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    This is a wonderful recipe, easy to make. The reviews i got from my boyfriend were 'amazingly delicious' 'better than any take away pizza' Highly Recommended!

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  • Binder photo everton

    20 February 2011

    everton rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Very easy recipe but extremely enjoyable. Will be trying again

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  • Binder photo KJF_UK

    28 February 2011

    KJF_UK rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Made this for supper last night. Best pizza I've ever had! Thoroughly recommended!

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  • Binder photo NicD82

    13 March 2011

    NicD82 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Very easy to make and tasted amazing. My husband and I made them for tea tonight (team effort) and we really enjoyed it. The base was amazing.

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  • Binder photo pippidoodle

    13 March 2011

    pippidoodle rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Added ham, mushroom, peppers & red onions. Was very delicious. My only quibble was the tomato sauce. There was a bit too much garlic. i think I'd add more Basil & a sprinkling of sugar too sweeten.

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  • Binder photo Jemima

    15 March 2011

    Jemima rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely delicious!

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  • Binder photo Jemima

    05 April 2011

    Jemima commented on this recipe

    Amazing - really delicious and simple to make. Done this twice already with lots of different toppings. Caramelised onions, goat's cheese and rocket went down a treat!

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  • Binder photo missemmajane

    07 April 2011

    missemmajane commented on this recipe

    Fantastic recipe! We added pepperoni to ours and it was SO much nicer than shop bought or restaurant pizzas, never buying them again, will always be making then now - was gorgeous!

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  • Binder photo chelsea

    08 April 2011

    chelsea commented on this recipe

    this was an amazing recipe and my family loved it

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  • Binder photo Nora

    09 April 2011

    Nora rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    So easy and makes perfect pizzas - fantastic and will definitely become a firm favourite in our house. I put peppers, salami and pineapple chunks on mine - delicious!

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  • Binder photo Sharon

    05 May 2011

    Sharon commented on this recipe

    I can't believe how simple this was! All the other receipes I've seen for pizza dough talk about resting the dough for 6 plus hours. If I feel a pizza, I usually want it ASAP. Just brilliant and great for those wanting different toppings. Cheap too. I think my local pizza delivery service is going to notice a drop in takings!

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  • Binder photo Jen

    07 May 2011

    Jen commented on this recipe

    I love this recipe! I've made it at least 5 times

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  • Binder photo adrienneyong

    14 May 2011

    adrienneyong rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    absolutely lush, used stoneground wholemeal flour and it was so healthy tasting!!!

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  • Binder photo domingal

    20 May 2011

    domingal rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Made this last night and it was awesome. Better than shop bought with a great crispy crust. The dough was a bit too much so have saved some to make mini pizzas for my daughter. Cannot rate this recipe highly enough, I always though making pizza would require hours but this recipe is quick and cheap. We did one margherita and one with peperoni and chilli. Yum Yum

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  • Binder photo helsbels

    21 May 2011

    helsbels commented on this recipe

    These are fab, I quadruple the recipe and make 8 bases at a time then i do the same with the sauce and I freeze them like that. When I need 1 i just get it out, slap on a topping and it's ready in 10 mins. Handy for snacks or as part of a meal when the kids want pizza and I don't want them to have junk - guilt free!

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  • Binder photo KazzaC

    23 May 2011

    KazzaC rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    What a fantastic recipe! Surprisingly simple and really easy to make. The tip with the hot tray meant that the base was lovely - really thin and crispy. I found the tomato sauce a bit disappointing so will experiment next time but this is a tiny quibble on a great dish. Cheap, tasty and one to make again.

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  • Binder photo KazzaC

    23 May 2011

    KazzaC rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    What a fantastic recipe! Surprisingly simple and really easy to make. The tip with the hot tray meant that the base was lovely - really thin and crispy. I found the tomato sauce a bit disappointing so will experiment next time but this is a tiny quibble on a great dish. Cheap, tasty and one to make again.

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Makes 2 pizzas, serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 mins

Cook time

Cook 10 mins

Vegetarian Freezable

Vegetarian

Pizzas uncooked

Ingredients

FOR THE BASE

  • 300g strong bread flour
  • 1 tsp instant yeast (from a sachet or a tub)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil , plus extra for drizzling

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE

FOR THE TOPPING

TO FINISH

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Per serving

431 kcalories, protein 19g, carbohydrate 59g, fat 15 g, saturated fat 7g, fibre 3g, sugar 2g, salt 1.87 g

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