Pizza Margherita is a classic Italian pizza that combines a few fresh, high-quality ingredients: pizza dough, Pizzaioli tomato sauce, fresh basil, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Created in 1889 by Raffaele Esposito to honor Queen Margherita, the red, white, and green toppings symbolize the Italian flag, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Preheat the oven to 475°F.
Place the pizza dough circle on a baking sheet dusted with and spoon the tomato sauce onto the dough, spreading it up to the rim. Scatter with the mozzarella and basil and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Cut the sherry tomatoes in halves and place them on the top seed side up. With the tip of a knife trim off excess dough around the edges.
This recipe connects to Knife Skills & Basic Cuts — learn the technique step by step in the video lessons.
A great sauce is built on reduction, not shortcuts — let it come down slowly and taste as you go; that's where the depth of flavor really develops. If you'd like to go deeper, Knife Skills & Basic Cuts covers this in full.
If you'd ever like hands-on guidance for your own kitchen or restaurant, I also offer 1-on-1 coaching through OCS, or you can reach me directly for consulting at 911ChefEric.com.
Recipes come out right when you understand the method. Chef Eric’s courses teach the foundations step by step — knife skills, stocks, soups and classic French technique — with video lessons and short quizzes. Not sure where to start? OCRS™ will build your roadmap in five questions.
