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Lighter pizza margherita

Name: Lighter pizza margherita
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: Makes 1 large pizza (enough for 2)
Cuisine: Italian recipes
Ingredients: For the base; 200g self-raising flour, plus plenty extra to dust; For the topping; 1 tsp olive oil; ½ small onion, very finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 300ml tomato passata; Small bunch fresh basil, finely chopped, plus extra leaves to serve; 60g mozzarella, sliced

Published: 12 Sep 16
Updated: 18 Mar 24

A thinner base and less cheese means this classic Italian crowd-pleaser keeps its charm but sheds a few calories.

Or if you want something a little more decadent for the weekend, make our ultimate margherita pizza recipe instead.

Easy
July 2016

Test kitchen approved

Makes 1 large pizza (enough for 2)
Hands-on time 35 min, oven time 15 min

A thinner base and less cheese means this classic Italian crowd-pleaser keeps its charm but sheds a few calories.

Or if you want something a little more decadent for the weekend, make our ultimate margherita pizza recipe instead.

Vegetarian recipes

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 1031kcals
Fat: 36.2g (18.7g saturated)
Protein: 44.4g
Carbohydrates: 130.4g carbs (2.2g sugars)
Fibre: 7g
Salt: 3.1g

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Ingredients

For the base

200g self-raising flour, plus plenty extra to dust

For the topping

1 tsp olive oil
½ small onion, very finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
300ml tomato passata
Small bunch fresh basil, finely chopped, plus extra leaves to serve
60g mozzarella, sliced

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Method

First make the topping. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over a medium-high heat and fry the onion for 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cook for another minute. Pour in the passata and gently simmer for 15 minutes, then season to taste. Remove from the heat, stir in the chopped basil and set aside while you make the base.
Heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/ gas 7. To make the base, mix the flour, 100ml tepid water and a pinch of salt in a large bowl using a wooden spoon. When it starts to come together and form a sticky dough, turn it out onto a liberally floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes with floured hands until it forms an elastic dough – it should be smooth, a little wet and no longer sticky. Sprinkle more flour onto the surface, then roll out the dough to the thickness of a £1 coin. Lift onto a lightly floured baking sheet, then bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden and puffed up at the edges.
Spread the sauce thinly over the base, leaving a 2cm border around the edge for a crust, then top with the mozzarella and put the pizza back in the oven for 5-6 minutes until the cheese has melted. Top with the whole basil leaves and serve immediately.

Recipe from July 2016 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 1031kcals
Fat: 36.2g (18.7g saturated)
Protein: 44.4g
Carbohydrates: 130.4g carbs (2.2g sugars)
Fibre: 7g
Salt: 3.1g

delicious. tips

Add other toppings, such as sliced salami, blanched baby veg, halved olives, anchovy fillets or artichokes.

You can use cheaper mozzarella (sold in blocks, often as cooking mozzarella) for pizzas. The fresh stuff can release too much moisture during cooking.