Neapolitan-Style Thin Crust Pizza with San Marzano Tomato Sauce
A classic Italian pizza featuring a thin, crisp crust topped with a simple, fresh San Marzano tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, baked at high heat for a genuine experience. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 29 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 600 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
- 500 g all-purpose flour
- 325 ml warm water
- 7 g (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 10 g salt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 200 g San Marzano tomato puree
- 200 g fresh mozzarella cheese
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
- to taste sea salt
- to taste black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 7 g active dry yeast in 325 ml warm water (about 100°F) and let it activate for 10 minutes until foamy.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 500 g all-purpose flour and 10 g salt; make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture along with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Mix and knead by hand for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Step 3: Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Step 4: Preheat your oven to 500°F (or the highest setting) and place a pizza stone or baking tray inside.
- Step 5: Divide the dough into two equal parts and roll each out on a floured surface to about 12 inches in diameter, making the edges slightly thicker for the crust.
- Step 6: Spread 100 g San Marzano tomato puree evenly over each dough base, season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 7: Tear 100 g fresh mozzarella into small pieces and distribute evenly over the sauce.
- Step 8: Bake each pizza on the preheated stone or tray for 7-9 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese bubbling.
- Step 9: Remove from oven, scatter 5 fresh basil leaves on top and drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Neapolitan-Style Thin Crust Pizza with San Marzano Tomato Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 29 minutes (20 min prep + 9 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-Style Thin Crust Pizza with San Marzano Tomato Sauce?
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 all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Neapolitan-Style Thin Crust Pizza with San Marzano Tomato Sauce?
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-Style Thin Crust Pizza with San Marzano Tomato Sauce 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 Neapolitan-Style Thin Crust Pizza with San Marzano Tomato Sauce?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The San Marzano sauce made all the difference!
- ★★★★★
Loved the authentic flavor, my family devoured it!
- ★★★★☆
The crust was perfect, but the sauce was slightly bland.







