Easy Margherita Pizza - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

Margarita Pizza is a pizza classic. This style of pizza was originally made for Queen Margherita, the Queen of Italy by a man named Esposito in Naples in 1889. Italy, Queen Margherita. The ingredients you find in Margarita pizza are typically fresh basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.

During the summer I grow container gardens of herbs, basil is one that I love. This summer I have had fresh salad Caprese and homemade pesto. I have enjoyed every minute of growing my own herbs. Margarita pizza is a wonderful way to use your fresh basil.

Margherita Pizza History

How did this pizza get its name? This style of pizza was originally made for Queen Margherita, the Queen of Italy.

In 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy, the wife of King Umberto I, paid a visit to Naples. In honor of the Queen, chef Raffaele Esposito created a pizza to celebrate the unification of Italy.

He designed a pizza to represent the Italian flag that was now flying throughout the new nation-state. To honor the Queen who had come to Naples, the pizza was christened Pizza Margherita.

Margherita Pizza Ingredients

Margarita pizza (or Margherita pizza for its Italian spelling) is a classic in the wonderful world of Italian pizza. The most common ingredients you find in Margherita pizza are fresh basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Margherita pizza sauce is really just a simple combination of freshly chopped tomatoes, oregano, and olive oil.

Here’s what you need for this Margherita pizza recipe:

• Pizza dough
• Vine-ripened tomatoes
• Garlic clove
• Fresh oregano
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Buffalo mozzarella
• Fresh basil leaves

How to Grow Your Own Basil

Basil is an annual plant that is easy to grow. It grows very fast under the right conditions. Two or three plants will yield a lot of fresh leaves.

Many gardeners enjoy mixing various varieties of basil in their flower beds, where it is ready for a quick harvest anytime. It’s also great for containers.

The perfect spot to place your basil containers is where there is just enough sun to give you an abundant crop. Your basil will not be happy in the hot sun all day long. For more details on growing basil, read this how to grow basil guide.

Margherita Pizza Toppings

What is on a Margarita Pizza? Essentially, the colors of the Italian flag – red, white, and green. The tomato stands for the color red, the mozzarella for white, and the basil represents the color green.

The other ingredients are garlic, fresh oregano, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. It’s a tasty vegetarian pizza to make, especially in the summer when fresh tomatoes are in season.

How to Make Margarita Pizza

1. Place tomatoes in a bowl and cover them with boiling water for 1 minute.
2. Drain and rinse them in cold water, then peel away the skins.
3. Chop the tomatoes.
4. Place chopped tomatoes in a bowl with oregano, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch round and transfer it to a baking sheet.
6. Spread the tomato mixture over the dough, leaving about ½-inch at the edge for there to be a crust.
7. Scatter the mozzarella cheese and basil on top of the sauce.
8. Drizzle olive oil on top.
9. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 14 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is browned.

See Also

10-Minute Parmesan & Mustard Pinwheels Recipe on Food52Vegan Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe | The First Mess30-Minute Roast Chicken Recipe on Food52Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Do you love pizza? Try these recipes!

• Buffalo Chicken Pizza
• California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Recipe
• Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
• Formaggio Pizza
• Pillsbury Veggie Pizza
• Thanksgiving Pizza

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Check out more of my easy Italian recipes and the best vegetarian recipes here on CopyKat!