Lykkers, imagine this: a fragrant pizza with slightly crispy edges, a soft and chewy crust, fresh tomato sauce, fragrant cheese and fresh basil leaves - this is the charm of authentic Italian pizza!

Today, let's work together to make an authentic Italian pizza. No professional tools or advanced skills are required, just follow the steps!

What We’re Making Today

We are going to make a classic Pizza Margherita. This pizza has become one of the representative delicacies of Italy with its simple but rich taste. Its characteristics are: tomato sauce base, fresh cheese, basil leaves, and thin and crispy crust.

All Ingredients You'll Need

Dough (1 10-inch pizza)

- Bread flour: 2 cups (about 250 grams)

- Dried yeast: 1 teaspoon

- Warm water: 3/4 cup (about 180 ml)

- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon

- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon

Pizza sauce

- Tomato sauce (unseasoned): 1/2 cup (about 120 ml)

- Olive oil: 1 teaspoon

- Clove of garlic: 1 clove

- Salt and black pepper: a little to taste

Toppings

- Fresh cheddar or mozzarella cheese: 1 cup (about 100 grams, sliced or shredded)

- Fresh basil leaves: 6–8 leaves

Tools

- Oven

- Rolling pin

- Pizza baking sheet or baking paper

Step 1: Make the Dough

1. Pour warm water into a bowl, sprinkle with dry yeast, and let sit for 5 minutes until bubbles appear on the surface.

2. Pour the bread flour into a large bowl, add salt, and make a well in the middle.

3. Pour in the foaming yeast water and olive oil, and stir with your hands or a wooden spoon until the flour absorbs the water completely.

4. Knead the dough on the table for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

5. Place the dough in a bowl coated with olive oil, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until it doubles in volume.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

1. Pour 1 teaspoon of olive oil into a pan, heat over medium-low heat, and add the minced garlic to sauté.

2. Pour in the tomato sauce and add a pinch of salt and black pepper and stir well.

3. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly, then turn off the heat and let cool.

Step 3: Roll and Pre-Bake the Base

1. Preheat the oven to 250°C (482°F).

2. Take out the fermented dough, deflate it, and roll it into a round shape. Then roll it into a thin round cake about 25 cm long.

3. Place it on a pizza baking pan and poke some holes on the surface of the crust with a fork to prevent it from bulging.

4. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes to let the crust set but not color. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Add the Toppings

1. Spread the pizza sauce evenly on the pre-baked base.

2. Place the cheese slices or shredded cheese on top, making sure to spread it evenly and not too thick.

3. Finally, garnish with fresh basil leaves for a fragrant aroma!

Step 5: Final Bake

1. Put the pizza back in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly browned, and the edges are golden and crispy.

2. Take out the pizza, let it cool for 2 minutes, then you can slice it and enjoy!

Extra Tips for Success

- The dough fermentation time cannot be saved: at least 1 hour, if you want it to be more chewy, you can refrigerate and ferment it for 12 hours.

- Don’t add too much seasoning to the sauce: keep the natural sweetness and sourness of the tomatoes for a more authentic taste.

- It’s best to choose fresh cheese: Cheddar and mozzarella are both fine, or you can use a mixture.

- High temperature and short baking are the key: to ensure the ideal taste of crispy outside and soft inside.

Let’s Enjoy Homemade Pizza Together!

After reading this, do you think that making Italian pizza is not that difficult? We only need some simple ingredients and a little patience to bake a good pizza at home that is comparable to that of a restaurant. The pizza making process is also suitable for completing with family and friends, making the kitchen a place for communication and laughter.

Lykkers, why not try it this weekend and make your first authentic Italian pizza in your life! If you succeed, please let us know what special ingredients or changes you added, we also want to try your creativity!