Neapolitan-Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella
A classic Italian pizza featuring a thin, tender crust topped with vibrant tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 90 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, warm 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 160 ml warm water
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 120 g crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- 125 g fresh mozzarella
- 8 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt (for sauce)
- 1/4 tsp sugar
The pizza stone or steel we’d bake this on → Best Pizza Stones and Steels for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 1 tsp active dry yeast in 160 ml warm water (about 110°F) and let it bloom for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Step 2: Add 250 g all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Step 4: Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, mix 120 g crushed San Marzano tomatoes with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp sugar to taste.
- Step 6: Roll out the risen dough into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface. Transfer carefully onto parchment paper.
- Step 7: Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust.
- Step 8: Tear 125 g fresh mozzarella into pieces and distribute evenly on the pizza.
- Step 9: Slide the pizza with parchment onto the preheated stone and bake for 7-9 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
- Step 10: Remove from oven and immediately scatter 8 fresh basil leaves on top. Drizzle with a little olive oil if desired and serve hot.








