Authentic Margherita Pizza

Ingredients

Pizza dough

1 (store-bought or homemade)

Fresh mozzarella cheese

8 ounces, sliced or torn

Ripe tomatoes

2-3 medium, sliced

Fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup, torn

Olive oil

2 tablespoons, plus extra for drizzling

Salt

1/2 teaspoon

Balsamic glaze

to drizzle (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats to achieve that perfect crispy crust.
2. On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness, aiming for about 1/4 inch thick for a classic Margherita.
3. Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza stone or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Brush the surface of the dough with 2 tablespoons of olive oil to enhance flavor and promote a golden crust.
5. Evenly arrange the sliced tomatoes over the dough, followed by the slices or torn pieces of mozzarella cheese. Make sure to leave some space between the toppings for even cooking.
6. Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
7. Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and immediately top with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of salt for added flavor.
8. For an extra touch of elegance, drizzle with balsamic glaze before slicing and serving.