Pizza margherita in 4 easy steps

Even a novice cook can master the art of pizza with our simple step-by-step guide.

Ingredients

For the base

• 300g strong bread flour
• 1 tsp instant yeast
  
  

  
  

  
  
   (from a sachet or a tub)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  , plus extra for drizzling

For the tomato sauce

• 100ml passata
• handful fresh basil
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
   or 1 tsp dried
• 1 garlic clove, crushed

For the topping

• 125g ball mozzarella, sliced
• handful grated or shaved Parmesan
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
• handful cherry tomatoes, halved

To finish

• handful basil
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
   leaves (optional)

Method

1. 1. 1 Make the base:
      
      Put the flour into a large bowl, then stir in the yeast and salt. Make a well, pour in 200ml warm water and the olive oil and bring together with a wooden spoon until you have a soft, fairly wet dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 mins until smooth. Cover with a tea towel and set aside. You can leave the dough to rise if you like, but it’s not essential for a thin crust.
   2. 2 Make the sauce:
      
      Mix the passata, basil and crushed garlic together, then season to taste. Leave to stand at room temperature while you get on with shaping the base.
   3. 3 Roll out the dough: 
      
      If you’ve let the dough rise, give it a quick knead, then split into two balls. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into large rounds, about 25cm across, using a rolling pin. The dough needs to be very thin as it will rise in the oven. Lift the rounds onto two floured baking sheets.
2. 4 Top and bake:
   
   Heat oven to 240C/fan 220C /gas 8. Put another baking sheet or an upturned baking tray in the oven on the top shelf. Smooth sauce over bases with the back of a spoon. Scatter with cheese and tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil and season. Put one pizza, still on its baking sheet, on top of the preheated sheet or tray. Bake for 8-10 mins until crisp. Serve with a little more olive oil, and basil leaves if using. Repeat step for remaining pizza.