Pizza Express release secret recipe for Margherita Pizza (2024)

  • Pizza Express has released the secret recipe for its popularMargherita Pizza
  • Fans have rejoiced at the recipe, saying they'll be quick to make it at home
  • Pizza can be made in 12 steps, and takes 40 minutes to prepare and 10 to cook
  • It comes after the chain sent fans wild by sharing recipe for its dough balls
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Bridie Pearson-jones For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

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Pizza Express fans have shared their joy after the high-street chain released the recipes for its much-loved Margherita pizza.

The Italian favourite closed all its restaurants four weeks ago, amid the coronaviruspandemic, but now food fans can now recreate the popular pizza at home, with a simple 12-step recipe.

The delicious dough is made from whipping up flour, yeast, sugar and water, while the topping consists of passata, mozzarella cheese and sprinkle of oregano and basil.

Pizza Express fans have shared their joy after the high-street chain released the recipes for its much-loved Margherita pizza

HOW TO MAKE PIZZA EXPRESS MARGHERITA PIZZA

Prep time: 40 mins | Cooking time: 10 – 12 mins | Makes: 1 large pizza

Ingredients

  • 150ml warm water – around 27 degrees
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • 15g fresh yeast (or 2 level teaspoons of dry yeast)
  • 225g of plain flour (plus extra for working)
  • 1.5 teaspoons of salt
  • Extra virgin olive oil (and a little for drizzling)
  • 80g of PizzaExpress passata (or any tomato passata you have)
  • 70g mozzarella (or any cheese you have)
  • Pinch of oregano
  • 1 Basil leaf (if you have one)
  • Black pepper

Pizza Express also shared a clip of one of their staff members attempt of making the pizza at home

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 230°C.

2. Add the sugar and crumble the fresh yeast into warm water.

3. Allow the mixture to stand for 10 – 15 minutes in a warm place (we find a windowsill on a sunny day works best) until froth develops on the surface.

4. Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl, make a well in the middle and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.

5. Lightly flour your hands, and slowly mix the ingredients together until they bind.

6. Generously dust your surface with flour.

7. Throw down the dough and begin kneading for 10 minutes until smooth, silky and soft.

8. Place in a lightly oiled, non-stick baking tray (we use a round one, but any shape will do!)

9. Spread the passata on top making sure you go to the edge.

10. Evenly place the mozzarella (or other cheese) on top, season with the oregano and black pepper, then drizzle with a little olive oil.

11. Cook in the oven for 10 – 12 minutes until the cheese slightly colours.

12. When ready, place the basil leaf on top and tuck in!

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It comes after the chain released the recipe for its famous dough ball starter.

Pizza Express has served both the Margherita pizza and the dough ball for more than fifty years and have kept the recipe a tightly guarded secret in that time.

But it's followed McDonald's and Greggs in taking theunprecedented step of sharing top-secret recipes for the very first time.

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Due to an outpouring of love from food fans over the spilled secrets, the chain is now set to release a recipe for one menu item every Sunday, with the Fiorentina pizza next in line.

Fans couldn't contain their excitement at the release of the margherita recipe.

'STOP IT, I cannot wait!' wrote one.

'My life is about to change.....' said another.

'DREAMS DO COME TRUE,' exclaimed a third.

Fans couldn't contain their excitement at the release of the margarita recipe

Pizza Express have shared how to make their famous dough balls at home as their restaurants closed their doors amid the coronavirus pandemic

HOW TO MAKE PIZZA EXPRESS DOUGH BALLS

FOR THE DOUGH BALLS (makes 2 portions)

Ingredients

  • 150ml warm water – roughly 27 degrees
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • 15g fresh yeast (or 2 level teaspoons of dry yeast)
  • 225g of plain flour (plus extra for working)
  • 1.5 teaspoons of salt
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Method

1. First up, preheat the oven to 230C / 210C fan assisted

2. Add the sugar and crumble the fresh yeast into the warm water. Allow the mixture to stand for 10 – 15 minutes in a warm place until froth develops on the surface

3. Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle and pour the yeast mixture in

4. Lightly flour your hands and slowly mix the ingredients together until they bind

5. Generously dust your surface with flour, throw down the dough and begin kneading for 10 minutes until smooth, silky and soft. Leave dough to rest until soft to the touch but not too springy

6. Roll dough into a 1.2m long tube. Chop into 16 chunks and place in an oven proof pan. Leave the Dough Balls to rest in the pan for 30 mins

7. Make sure the oven has reached temperature and bake for 6 minutes until golden

FOR THE GARLIC BUTTER

Ingredients

    • 10ml extra virgin olive oil
    • 4 teaspoons of butter
    • 0.5 teaspoons of chopped garlic

    Method:

    1. Blend olive oil and chopped garlic into a paste. Pour over butter and blend with a spoon

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    Others said they'd be using the simple recipe to teach their children baking.

    'Brilliant. We do this . As a cooking lesson, thanks!' said one parent.

    While some asked for more recipes.

    'Now we need your pollo ad astra' said one.

    'Pollo pesto next please guys' said another.

    'Can you share your passata recipe?' added a third.

    Due to an outpouring of love from food fans over the spilled secrets, the chain is now set to release a recipe for one menu item every Sunday, with the Fiorentina pizza next in line

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    Pizza Express release secret recipe for Margherita Pizza (6)

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    Pizza Express release secret recipe for Margherita Pizza (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the ingredients for a Margherita pizza? ›

    Pizza margherita, as the Italians call it, is a simple pizza hailing from Naples. When done right, margherita pizza features a bubbly crust, crushed San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt. That is all.

    What makes a Margherita pizza different from regular pizza? ›

    The main distinction is that Margherita pizza is made with fresh mozzarella, which contains more liquid than regular mozzarella. The mozzarella on an American cheese pizza is drier than on a specialty pizza. Margherita's recipe calls for fresh tomatoes and basil every time.

    What kind of mozzarella is best for Margherita pizza? ›

    Purists tend to prefer fresh mozzarella—either di bufala or the cow's-milk version, fior de latte—because it's what was used on the original Pizza Margherita in Naples, Italy.

    What is special in Margherita pizza? ›

    Pizza Margherita or Margherita pizza is a typical Neapolitan pizza, roundish in shape with a raised edge (the cornicione) and garnished with hand-crushed peeled tomatoes, mozzarella (buffalo mozzarella or fior di latte), fresh basil leaves, and extra virgin olive oil.

    What is Margherita pizza sauce made of? ›

    My search for the best homemade margherita pizza (made in a standard oven with everyday ingredients) is over! This classic pizza is made with everyday ingredients and topped with a simple fresh pizza sauce made from canned tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.

    What are the three ingredients of a Margherita pizza meant to represent? ›

    The colors on the pizza (red tomatoes, white mozzarella and green basil) were meant to represent the national colors of Italy. At 3 Sons Italian, we offer a traditional take on the Margherita pizza.

    What pizza chain makes Margherita pizza? ›

    The classic Margherita pizza served at all Domino's outlets is absolutely lip-smacking. It has even created a separate fan base of its own because of the authentic and distinct flavor.

    Does Margherita pizza have extra cheese? ›

    Margherita pizza is pizza in its simplest and purest form imho…and it's the best. It is usually made with a San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, salt and extra-virgin olive oil. We are going to jazz this one up with a few more cheeses.

    What's the difference between a Margherita pizza and a grandma pizza? ›

    What is the difference between a Sicilian (panned) margherita pizza and a grandma pizza? I assume you're referring to the crust. A Sicilian-style pizza has a much thicker and fluffier crust than a grandma-style pizza.

    Why do they call it a Margherita pizza? ›

    A widespread belief says that in June 1889 the pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito, Pizzeria Brandi's chef, invented a dish called “Pizza Margherita” in honor of the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, and the Italian unification.

    What is the taste of Margherita pizza? ›

    Typically, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil are used to make Margherita pizza. These ingredients come together to produce a pizza with a slightly sweet flavor. The pizza's slight acidity comes from the tomato sauce, while its creamy richness comes from the mozzarella cheese.

    How do you make a Margherita pizza not soggy? ›

    Pro tip: when making Margherita pizza, it's essential to use high-quality ingredients and not overload the pizza with too many toppings. Less is more here—too much sauce and cheese will make the crust soggy.

    Is it better to use dry or wet mozzarella for pizza? ›

    For pure meltability, nothing beats low-moisture mozzarella. While fresh mozz exudes water as it melts and becomes more soupy than melty, The best low-moisture mozzarella should stretch and stretch, yet still remain dry enough that the pizza crust remains intact.

    What type of tomato is best for Margherita pizza? ›

    What tomatoes should I use on margherita pizza? Traditional margherita pizza uses san marzano tomatoes which is a low moisture plum tomato. Another plum tomato that you may be more familiar with and that can be used on margherita pizza is roma tomatoes.

    What is the basic ingredient of pizza? ›

    Pizza has three main elements: crust, sauce, and toppings. All of them have a variety of preparation methods. Crust: Traditional pizza crust is similar to bread dough. It's a combination of flour, water, yeast, sugar, salt, and oil.

    What are the five main ingredients of pizza? ›

    The most common ingredient in pizza dishes is olive oil. Flour, yeast, mozzarella cheese, white sugar, tomatoes and onion are also common ingredients in pizza recipes.

    Is Margherita pizza just cheese and tomato? ›

    What Is A Margherita Pizza? A traditional Neapolitan Margherita pizza recipe is tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil which represent the colours of the Italian flag – white cheese, green basil and red tomato.

    References

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