Margherita Pizza Recipe | Homemade Pizza Recipe

Classic Margherita Pizza

We don't think a pizza needs tons of cheese and meat to be delicious. This is a classic style pizza with simple ingredients but an amazing history. I am adding a link to a whole wheat pizza dough recipe that I make easily in the food processor. You can use whatever dough you prefer, just note that the nutritional information is based on the whole wheat pizza dough (thin crust version).

Contrary to popular belief pizza was not created by the Italians but instead by the early Greeks who baked round, large, flat breads which they "topped with oil, spices, herbs and dates."

By the 18th century this tasty "flat bread" made its way to Italy where they were sold by street vendors who served them without any toppings. Inexpensive to make, these became favored by the poor throughout Naples. Around 1889, Queen Margherita was touring her Italian Kingdom and she saw many peasants eating this large, flat bread.

The queen had her guards bring her one of these Pizza breads. She loved the flavor and would enjoy them every time she was out among her people. Naturally this was not considered Queen-like by her court.

The Queen summoned Chef Rafaelle Esposito from his pizzeria and requested him to bake her a selection of pizzas. He was so honored that he created a special pizza for her, he topped this baked pizza with tomatoes, Mozarella cheese and fresh Basil (representing the colors of the Italian flag).

This quickly became one of Queen Margherita's favorite foods, which of course wildly increased her popularity among the Italian people. Pizza Margherita became a culinary tradition that is still popular in Naples.

Click here for Whole Wheat Pizza Dough recipe

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1/4 cup pizza sauce is fine - just make sure the it is low sodium and low cal)

5 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced (about 3/4 pound)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim or low fat mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup torn, fresh basil

2 tablespoons Pizza Seasoning

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400° F

Brush the crust with 1/2 teaspoon oil and evenly spread the pizza sauce leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges.

Place the tomato slices on the crust.

Add torn basil evenly over the tomatoes

Sprinkle 1/2 of the Pizza Seasoning on top of tomatoes and basil

Sprinkle the cheese on top

Sprinkle 1/2 of the Pizza Seasoning on top of the cheese

Bake until cheese melts and crust is golden, about 10-12 minutes

Serves: 6

Nutritional Information: (per serving/ slice includes pizza crust)

Calories 193
Protein 10g
Carbs 27g
Fat 6g
Trans Fat 0g
Saturated Fat 2g
Fiber 5g
Sodium 218mg
Sugar 3g

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Pizza Seasoning