How To Make Classic Pizza Marinara: A Simple Italian Delight

Making Pizza Marinara is a delightful journey into classic Italian cuisine. This pizza is simple, featuring a tomato-based sauce, garlic, oregano, and extra-virgin olive oil, without cheese. Here’s a straightforward recipe to make your own Pizza Marinara at home:

Ingredients:

• For the Dough:

• 500g all-purpose flour (about 4 cups), plus more for dusting
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp instant yeast
• 325ml warm water (about 1⅓ cups)
• Olive oil, for the bowl

• For the Marinara Sauce:

• 400g canned San Marzano tomatoes (or any good quality canned tomatoes)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh or dried oregano

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
2. Gradually add the warm water and mix until a dough starts to form.
3. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.

2. Prepare the Marinara Sauce:

1. In a bowl, crush the tomatoes with your hands or a fork. Mix in the sliced garlic, olive oil, and salt. Set aside. The sauce is used uncooked, and the flavors will meld as it bakes on the pizza.

3. Assemble the Pizza:

1. Preheat your oven to its highest setting, ideally 250°C (482°F) or more. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.
2. Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 or 3 balls, depending on how large you want your pizzas.
3. On a floured surface, stretch out one ball of dough into a thin circle, about 10-12 inches in diameter.
4. Spread a thin layer of the marinara sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
5. Scatter a few slices of garlic over the sauce, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with oregano.
6. Carefully transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or a baking sheet.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden and crispy, about 10-15 minutes.

4. Serve:

• Remove the pizza from the oven, drizzle with a little more olive oil if desired, and serve hot.

This Pizza Marinara is all about simplicity and high-quality ingredients. Enjoy crafting this classic dish and feel free to adjust the toppings according to your taste!