Charred Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thin-crust pizza charred in a wood-fired oven topped with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil leaves. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs pizza dough, San Marzano crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your wood-fired oven or conventional oven to 500°F with a pizza stone inside for at least 45 minutes.
  2. Step 2: On a floured surface, stretch 1 lb pizza dough into a 12-inch round, creating a slightly thicker edge for the crust.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup crushed San Marzano tomatoes with 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread this sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
  4. Step 4: Distribute 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly over the tomato sauce.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over the pizza.
  6. Step 6: Bake the pizza on the preheated stone for 7-10 minutes until the crust is golden and slightly charred, and the cheese bubbles and browns slightly.
  7. Step 7: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves on top. Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Charred Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Charred Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil?

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 Charred Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil?

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 Charred Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Charred Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil?

Italian pizza 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.

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