🍕🔥 Homemade Margherita Pizza with a Soft, Fluffy Crust 😍 The Pizza Recipe That Will Make You Stop Ordering Takeout!

If you’re a fan of homemade pizza, this recipe delivers a perfectly golden crust that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, topped with rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and fragrant fresh basil. Made with simple ingredients, yet the result is a restaurant-quality pizza that rivals the best Italian pizzerias.

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📋 Recipe Information

* 🏷️ Recipe Name: Classic Margherita Pizza

* 🍽️ Category: Main Course

* 🌍 Cuisine: Italian

* ⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes

* ⏳ Rising Time: 1 hour

* 🔥 Baking Time: 15 minutes

* ⌛ Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

* 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 4 servings

* ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy

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🛒 Ingredients

🍞 For the Dough

* 🫒 30 g extra virgin olive oil

* 💧 220 g water, room temperature

* 🍬 1 teaspoon sugar (or malt powder)

* 🍞 20 g fresh yeast (or 2 teaspoons instant dry yeast)

* 🌾 400 g baker’s flour (bread flour)

* 🧂 1 teaspoon salt

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🍅 For the Topping

* 🫒 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

* 🧀 200 g mozzarella cheese, cut into pieces

* 🍅 250 g canned chopped tomatoes or pizza sauce

* 🧂 ¼–½ teaspoon salt

* 🌿 5–7 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces

* 🌿 Extra basil leaves for garnish

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Dough

* In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes active.

* Add the olive oil, flour, and salt.

* Knead for 8–10 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms.

2️⃣ Let the Dough Rise

* Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl.

* Cover and leave in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

3️⃣ Shape the Pizza

* Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F).

* Roll or stretch the dough into your desired shape (round or rectangular).

* Transfer it to a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

4️⃣ Add the Toppings

* Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough.

* Scatter the mozzarella pieces on top.

* Sprinkle with torn basil leaves.

* Drizzle lightly with olive oil.

5️⃣ Bake

* Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

* Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

✨ Serve hot straight from the oven.

✨ Pair with a fresh green salad.

✨ Add chili flakes for a spicy kick.

✨ Perfect for family dinners, parties, or weekend gatherings.

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💡 Tips for Success

✔️ Use bread flour for a light and chewy crust.

✔️ Don’t overload the pizza with sauce to prevent a soggy base.

✔️ Make sure the oven is fully preheated before baking.

✔️ Add fresh tomato slices, olives, or mushrooms for extra flavor.

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🥗 Approximate Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

* 🔥 Calories: 607 kcal

* 💪 Protein: 24 g

* 🧈 Fat: 25 g

* 🍞 Carbohydrates: 74 g

* 🌾 Fiber: 4 g