Individual Italian Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil

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

A classic 10.5-inch pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce, and aromatic basil leaves baked to a golden crust. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 27 minutes pairs pizza dough ball, tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 1 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 475°F and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: On a floured surface, stretch and shape 250 g pizza dough ball into a 10.5-inch round, about 1/4 inch thick, leaving a slightly thicker edge for the crust.
  3. Step 3: Spread 1/3 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving the crust exposed. Tear 100 g fresh mozzarella into small pieces and distribute evenly on top.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1/4 tsp sea salt and, if desired, 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes over the pizza.
  5. Step 5: Carefully transfer the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven, immediately scatter 8 fresh basil leaves on top, and drizzle 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over the pizza before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Individual Italian Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Individual Italian Style 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 ball from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Individual Italian Style 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 Individual Italian Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil 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 Individual Italian Style 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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