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Naples Pizza Margherita

Neopolitan Pizza Margherita Recipe

This Pizza Margherita Recipe comes from Greg Stillman, formerly of Naples in Downtown Disney.

Taste of Disney at Home: Master the Naples Margherita Pizza Recipe

Calling all pizza enthusiasts! Today, we’re taking a trip to the heart of Neapolitan pizza with a recipe inspired by Chef Greg Stillman, former chef of Naples in Downtown Disney, Anaheim. This Naples Margherita pizza embodies the essence of Southern Italian style, with a simple yet perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Beyond the Slice: A Neapolitan Journey

Neapolitan pizza is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary art form. Characterized by its thin and crispy crust, light and airy texture, and fresh, high-quality ingredients, this pizza style has captured hearts and taste buds worldwide.

The Secret Ingredient: Authenticity

While replicating a wood-fired oven at home might be challenging, this recipe offers tips for achieving authentic Neapolitan flavors in your own kitchen, whether using a home oven or a pizza oven attachment.

The Foundation: The Perfect Dough

The foundation of any great pizza is the dough. This recipe uses Caputo flour, a favorite among Neapolitan pizzaiolos (pizza makers) for its high gluten content and ability to create a light and airy crust.

Watch how to make this recipe!

For a visual guide and detailed instructions, be sure to watch the how-to video. In the video, Greg will walk you through each step of the process, from forming and punching the dough to achieving that perfectly blistered crust.

Crafting the Dough:

Topping Triumph: Keeping it Simple

The beauty of the Margherita pizza lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you need for the perfect topping combination:

Neapolitan Wisdom: Less is More

Remember, when it comes to Neapolitan pizza, less is more. Avoid overloading the pizza with toppings. The focus is on the quality of the ingredients and the perfect interplay of crust, sauce, and cheese.

From Naples to Your Home: Embrace the Experience

Making this Margherita pizza recipe is a fun and rewarding experience. It allows you to connect with the culinary traditions of Naples and create a delicious and authentic pizza right at home.

Cooking the Naples Pizza Margherita

Disneyland’s Naples pizza margherita recipe is cooked in a wood-fired oven, but you can use your home oven or pizza oven attachment. The wood fired pizza oven — which reaches up to 800 F — takes just a few minutes to cook. In your home oven, cook it on a pizza stone at 500 F for at least 10 minutes on the bottom rack closest to your heating element. (I use my Green Mountain Grills pizza attachment to prepare this recipe).

So, gather your ingredients, watch the video, and embark on your own Neapolitan pizza journey! Enjoy the perfect balance of flavors, the satisfying crunch of the crust, and the simple joy of a classic pizza done right.

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Neopolitan Pizza Margherita Recipe
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Naples Neapolitan Pizza Margherita

Calling all pizza enthusiasts! Today, we're taking a trip to the heart of Neapolitan pizza with a recipe inspired by Chef Greg Stillman, former chef of Naples in Downtown Disney, Anaheim. This Naples Margherita pizza embodies the essence of Southern Italian style, with a simple yet perfect balance of flavors and textures. Greg Stillman mastered this wood-fired Pizza Margherita recipe while working as the Executive Chef at Naples in Downtown Disney. 
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Disneyland recipes, Italian recipes, mozzarella, Naples pizza, pizza, pizza margherita, tomatoes
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Proofing Time 12 hours
Total Time 13 hours 35 minutes
Servings 20
Cost $25

Equipment

Ingredients

Large Batch Pizza Dough

  • 10.83 pounds ice water, strained (2 cups = 1 pound)
  • 18.27 pounds red Caputo flour
  • 8.2 ounces salt
  • 3.3 ounces instant yeast

Small Batch Pizza Dough (Makes four balls weighing 8 oz. each)

  • 19.6 oz. flour red caputo
  • .5 oz. Kosher salt 14.7 grams to be precise
  • .2 oz yeast instant, not dry active or fresh (5.6 grams)
  • 11.6 oz. very cold water

Pizza Sauce

  • 1 can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
  • Salt to taste

Toppings

  • Fresh mozzarella
  • Fresh basil

Instructions

Make the Sauce

  • Puree the can of tomatoes with an immersion blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt until highly seasoned and sharp but not salty.

Make the Dough

  • Combine the flour, salt and yeast. Place the chilled water into a mixing bowl with a dough hook, add the dry ingredients. Set to speed 1 for 10 minutes and allow to run on low speed. Check the consistency; it should be smooth like a baby. Remove the dough and immediately scale the dough into 8 oz. balls and place into a dough box (12 per box). Place the boxes in the refrigerator to slow proof for use the next day.

Make the Pizza

  • Punch and stretch pizza as shown in the video until you form a small circle. Cover with a ladle or two of tomato sauce, followed by a scattering of fresh mozzarella cubes and fresh torn basil leaves.
  • Bake in a wood-fired pizza oven for 2 minutes, turning every 30-45 seconds, or bake on a pizza stone in the bottom rack of your home oven at 500 F for at least 10 minutes. Cover with a squirt of olive oil and serve.

Video

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