Hearty Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza with Fresh Basil
A classic wood-fired style pizza featuring a simple tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil for a perfectly balanced, satisfying meal. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 35 minutes pairs (12 oz) ball 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 420 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.
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz) ball pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 4 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp, torn fresh basil
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone on the middle rack for 30 minutes to heat thoroughly.
- Step 2: Roll pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle, then transfer to a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel.
- Step 3: Spread tomato sauce evenly over dough, leaving 1-inch border, then sprinkle with 1/4 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp dried oregano.
- Step 4: Arrange sliced mozzarella over sauce, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and season with 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Slide pizza onto heated stone and bake for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese bubbles.
- Step 6: Remove from oven, top immediately with 2 tbsp torn fresh basil, and slice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza with Fresh Basil 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 Hearty Tomato and Mozzarella 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 (12 oz) ball pizza dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty Tomato and Mozzarella 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 Hearty Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza with Fresh Basil 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 Hearty Tomato and Mozzarella 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.
