Description
Fresh Sheet Pan Margherita Pizza brings classic Italian flavors straight to your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum deliciousness. Crispy homemade crust, melted mozzarella, and garden-ripe tomatoes make this simple dinner a weeknight champion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 8 oz (226 g) fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oven to precisely 475°F (245°C) for an optimal crispy crust.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil across your large baking sheet, coating the entire surface with a light, even layer.
- Dust your clean countertop with flour and stretch the 1 lb pizza dough into a rectangular shape approximately ½ inch thick, ensuring an even surface.
- Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet, gently spreading it to the edges.
- Pour 1 cup tomato sauce directly onto the dough, using the back of a spoon to distribute it evenly, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Tear the 8 oz fresh mozzarella into bite-sized pieces, scattering them across the sauce with careful spacing.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper over the cheese to enhance the flavors.
- Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for exactly 15-20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and melted cheese.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for 2-3 minutes to set the cheese.
- Tear ½ cup fresh basil leaves and generously scatter them across the hot pizza.
- Slice into squares and serve immediately while the crust remains crisp and warm.
Notes
- Let the dough come to room temperature for easier rolling and a more tender crust.
- Use a good-quality San Marzano tomato sauce for authentic Italian flavor.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the pizza right before serving to enhance the taste.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional pizza dough with a cauliflower or almond flour crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Sheet-Pan
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg