Neapolitan Oven-Baked Margherita Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic Italian pizza with a thin, chewy crust topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, baked to perfection in a hot oven. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs pizza dough (store-bought or homemade), olive oil, fresh mozzarella, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500°F and place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet inside to heat for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Roll out 1 lb pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a parchment-lined peel or baking sheet.
  3. Step 3: Brush the dough with 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle 2 minced garlic cloves evenly over the surface.
  4. Step 4: Arrange 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella and 2 thinly sliced Roma tomatoes evenly on the dough. Sprinkle 1 tsp salt over the toppings.
  5. Step 5: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven and immediately scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves on top. Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Neapolitan Oven-Baked Margherita Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Neapolitan Oven-Baked Margherita 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Neapolitan Oven-Baked Margherita 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 Neapolitan Oven-Baked Margherita Pizza 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 Neapolitan Oven-Baked Margherita 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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