Half-Moon Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust
A visually striking pizza split into two distinct halves: one with classic cheese and tomato, the other featuring a vibrant herb-crusted base and roasted vegetables. This italian-inspired quick meals (vegetarian) ready in about 39 minutes pairs ball (14 oz) pizza dough, tomato sauce, shredded 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.
Ingredients
- 1 ball (14 oz) pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, roughly torn fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone inside. Roll pizza dough into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface, then gently transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 2: Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the entire dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Step 3: Divide the halved cherry tomatoes and torn basil leaves between two equal halves of the pizza, placing them on the cheese half and leaving the other half clear. Brush the exposed crust edge with 1 tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle with 1/2 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
- Step 4: Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese bubbles, rotating halfway for even browning. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing into wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Moon Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust take to make?
Total time is about 39 minutes (25 min prep + 14 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 Half-Moon Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust?
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 ball (14 oz) pizza dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Moon Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust?
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 Half-Moon Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust 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.
Is Half-Moon Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 14-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
