Deep Dish Margherita Pizza | Homtone Pizza Oven

Product: https://homtone.com/products/10-in-1-electric-pizza-oven

Ingredients:

Pizza dough (11"-12")
Tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought, about 1 cup)
Fresh mozzarella slices (thinly sliced, about 8 oz)
Fresh basil leaves (about 10-12 large leaves)
Olive oil (extra virgin preferred, about 2 tablespoons)
Salt (preferably sea salt, to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1. Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to 800℉. Allow it to preheat for at least 15 minutes to ensure the oven reaches the correct temperature. This high temperature is crucial for achieving the crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese characteristic of a deep-dish pizza.

Step 2. Prepare the Basil:

Wash the fresh basil leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. You want the basil to be as dry as possible to prevent the pizza from becoming soggy during baking.

Step 3. Prepare the Dough:

Take the pizza dough out of the refrigerator (if it was refrigerated) and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to make it more manageable.
Lightly flour your work surface to prevent the dough from sticking.
Stretch or roll out the pizza dough to fit an 11"-12" round pan. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch, ensuring the dough is even throughout.

Step 4. Shape the Dough:

Press the dough into the pan, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides completely. You may need to stretch the dough a bit more to fit the pan perfectly. The dough should come up the sides of the pan to create a thick crust.

Step 5. Add the Tomato Sauce:

Spread a generous layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Use a spoon or a small ladle to apply the sauce evenly. The sauce should be smooth and not too thick, allowing it to spread easily.

Step 6. Layer the Cheese:

Add layers of fresh mozzarella slices evenly over the tomato sauce. Ensure the cheese covers the sauce completely, as this will help create a uniform melt and prevent the sauce from bubbling up excessively. The mozzarella should be thinly sliced to ensure it melts smoothly at the high temperature.

Step 7. Arrange the Basil:

Place the fresh basil leaves on top of the mozzarella cheese. You can either leave the leaves whole or tear them into smaller pieces for more even distribution. The basil will add a burst of fresh flavor to the pizza.

Step 8. Season and Drizzle:

Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the basil. This adds a rich flavor and helps the crust achieve a beautiful golden-brown color.
Sprinkle with salt to taste. If desired, add a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper for an extra layer of flavor.

Step 9. Bake the Pizza:

Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. Keep an eye on it through the oven window to monitor the crust and cheese. The high temperature means the pizza will cook thoroughly, and you want to ensure the crust is golden-brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Step 10. Check for Doneness:

After 35 minutes, carefully remove the pizza from the oven using oven mitts. Check the crust for a golden-brown color and ensure the cheese is bubbly and slightly charred in spots. The crust should be firm and the cheese should be fully melted.

Step 11. Cool and Slice:

Let the pizza cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice.
Once cooled, slice the pizza into wedges using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife.

Step 12. Serve:

Serve the pizza warm, ideally with a side of garlic bread or a simple salad. Enjoy your delicious Deep Dish Margherita Pizza!

This classic Margherita pizza features a rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves, all baked to perfection in a thick, crispy crust. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the fresh flavors to shine through. Enjoy!