Pizza Marinara

Pizza Marinara - Servings: 4 pizzas

Pizza marinara is the simplest of classic Neapolitan pizza: that is, pizza in the style that originates from Naples, Italy. This pizza has simple toppings, a dough that's thin in the middle and poufed on the outside, usually baked in a wood-fired oven at super high temperatures

Pizza Marinara took its name from the seafarers who ate this particular pizza prepared by their wives when they returned home from their fishing expeditions in the Bay of Naples.

How to prepare Pizza Marinara

1. Make the base: Put the flour into a large bowl, then stir in the yeast and salt. Make a well, pour in 350 ml 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.

See also step-by-step guide for making pizza dough

2. Make the sauce: Peeled, canned and fresh tomatoes can be used, traditionally sauces is from San Marzano tomatoes. Peeled tomatoes, should be strained, salted not too much, to taste, and mashed into a homogenous mixture. Mix the pasta, basil and sliced garlic together, can slice the garlic as a topping before putting it in the oven.

See also step-by-step guide for making marinara sauce

3. Roll out the dough: if you’ve let the dough rise, give it a quick knead, then split into four 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.

4. Top and bake: heat the oven to 460°C to 485°C fan/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 20 minutes until crisp. Bake until cheese is bubbly and the underside of the crust is golden brown. Once the pizzas are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a minute. Tear or chop fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the pizzas.

Repeat step for remaining pizza dough.

This classic marinara pizza is simple yet flavorful. You can also add other toppings like olives or anchovies to suit your taste preferences.

Slice the pizzas and serve immediately. Enjoy your homemade Pizza Marinara!