Best Ever: Classic Margherita Pizza
A timeless Italian pizza with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil, baked to perfection. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 35 minutes pairs pre-made round (12-inch) pizza dough, tomato sauce, sliced fresh mozzarella for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 1, 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 pre-made round (12-inch) pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 4 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella
- 2, diced ripe tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.125 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Roll out pizza dough into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface.
- Step 2: Spread tomato sauce evenly over the dough, then arrange mozzarella slices and diced tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
- Step 3: Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Top with fresh basil leaves and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Ever: Classic Margherita Pizza take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Best Ever: Classic Margherita Pizza?
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 tomato sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Ever: Classic Margherita Pizza?
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 Best Ever: Classic Margherita Pizza for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Best Ever: Classic Margherita Pizza?
Italian quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
