Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza with Crispy Charred Tomatoes
Hand-tossed pizza dough topped with smoky charred tomatoes, fresh basil, and house-made mozzarella, cooked to perfection in a blazing hot oven. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 52 minutes pairs pizza dough, heirloom tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 890 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 12 oz heirloom tomatoes
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp cornmeal
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat pizza stone in oven to 500°F for at least 45 minutes. Divide dough into two 6-oz balls, then roll each into a 12-inch circle on a cornmeal-dusted surface.
- Step 2: Toss tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp salt, then spread on a baking sheet. Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes until charred and collapsed, stirring once halfway.
- Step 3: Brush rolled dough with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Top each with 1/4 of roasted tomatoes, 2 oz sliced mozzarella, and 1/4 of minced garlic. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
- Step 4: Transfer pizza to preheated stone using a peel dusted with cornmeal. Bake for 10-12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese bubbles. Top with fresh basil immediately before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza with Crispy Charred Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 52 minutes (40 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza with Crispy Charred Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pizza dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza with Crispy Charred Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza with Crispy Charred Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza with Crispy Charred Tomatoes?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
