Margherita Pizza

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 14 oz canned San Marzano tomatoes (crushed by hand)
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced thin)
• 12 leaves fresh basil leaves
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp cornmeal (for dusting)

Instructions

1. 1Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone or heavy baking sheet inside for at least 30 minutes.
2. 2In a bowl, mix crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, and salt to make the sauce; set aside.
3. 3Divide dough into 2 equal balls if making two 12-inch pizzas (or keep whole for one large).
4. 4On a floured surface, stretch or roll each dough ball into a 12-inch circle about 1/4-inch thick.
5. 5Sprinkle cornmeal on a pizza peel or parchment-lined baking sheet and transfer stretched dough onto it.
6. 6Spread sauce evenly over dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
7. 7Arrange half the sliced mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
8. 8Drizzle olive oil over the top.
9. 9Carefully slide pizza onto the hot stone or baking sheet in the oven.
10. 10Bake 10-12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
11. 11Remove from oven, top with fresh basil leaves, and let rest 2 minutes before slicing.
12. 12Repeat with second pizza or save half the ingredients for another night.