Margherita Pizza Topping

MarthaStewartWanabe's Note:

This is our favorite pizza topping--very simple, delicious and relatively healthy. I buy a ball of dough from a local grocer to save time and effort, but feel free to use any dough of your preference.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 14 ounces pizza dough , prepared
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 small onion , sliced thin into rings and then separated
• 3 -4 tomatoes , sliced thin
• 2 -3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped or 2 -3 teaspoons dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes , dried
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese , torn into thumb-sized pieces (or 1 cup shredded mozzarella)
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese , grated

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Form dough to a medium pizza stone or pan per package instructions.
3. Brush surface of dough with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with garlic.
4. Arrange separated onion rings evenly atop garlic, leaving 1/2-inch space for pizza edge.
5. Arrange tomato slices atop onions, overlapping slightly for maximum coverage.
6. Sprinkle basil and red pepper flakes atop tomatoes and pizza edge.
7. Arrange mozzarella evenly atop tomatoes.
8. Sprinkle parmesan cheese atop mozzarella and pizza edge.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden, and cheese begins to bubble and brown.
10. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 10-15 minutes.
11. Slice into eighths, serve and enjoy!

Reviews

[Julie F]

Very good. This was helpful as I have a crust I like using, and just having the topping recipe makes it simple. I did not use onions this time, but look forward to using them next time. I think it would add to the flavor.

[loof]

Yum Yum YUM! I don't care for onions so left them out, otherwise made as directed. I used a thin Boboli crust and fresh basil. I loved the addition of the crushed red pepper flakes; I usually sprinkle some on pizza that I order out anyway so having it cooked right on the pizza was perfect for me. Loved this - thanks for sharing your recipe!

[Gerry]

This made for a wonderful topping on my home made thick crust pizza. Had been looking for a good recipe for a vegetable and cheese pizza - this is the one for us! Made as posted and enjoyed every bite. A Auz/NZ Swap recipenap.