Hand-Stretched Mozzarella and Tomato Classic Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Italian pizza featuring a hand-stretched dough topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 80 minutes pairs high-gluten flour, water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

★ 4.2 (9 ratings) Prep: 70 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 3g active dry yeast and 5g sugar in 130ml warm water (around 38°C), let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. Step 2: Add 250g high-gluten flour and 5g salt to the yeast mixture, then pour in 15ml extra virgin olive oil. Mix until a rough dough forms.
  3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 250°C (480°F) with a pizza stone inside for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Punch down the risen dough, then hand-stretch it into a 12-inch (30cm) circle on parchment paper.
  6. Step 6: Slice 150g ripe tomatoes thinly and season with sea salt and black pepper. Tear 125g buffalo mozzarella into pieces.
  7. Step 7: Arrange tomato slices evenly over the stretched dough, then scatter mozzarella pieces on top. Add 10g fresh basil leaves.
  8. Step 8: Slide the pizza on parchment onto the hot pizza stone and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese bubbles.
  9. Step 9: Remove from oven, drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil if desired, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Hand-Stretched Mozzarella and Tomato Classic Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (70 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 Hand-Stretched Mozzarella and Tomato Classic 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 high-gluten flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Hand-Stretched Mozzarella and Tomato Classic 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 Hand-Stretched Mozzarella and Tomato Classic Pizza 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.

Is Hand-Stretched Mozzarella and Tomato Classic Pizza 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.

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