New York-Style Thin Crust Margherita Pizza
Classic New York-style thin crust pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tangy tomato sauce. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs pizza dough, canned crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 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
- 280 g pizza dough
- 1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- 125 g fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 8 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- a pinch black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone inside for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes with 1 clove minced garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper to make the sauce.
- Step 3: Roll out 280 g pizza dough on a floured surface into a 14-inch thin circle.
- Step 4: Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or baking sheet, then spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Step 5: Arrange 125 g sliced fresh mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
- Step 6: Drizzle 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over the pizza.
- Step 7: Slide the pizza onto the hot pizza stone and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is crisp and cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Step 8: Remove pizza from oven and immediately top with 8 fresh basil leaves. Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does New York-Style Thin Crust 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 New York-Style Thin Crust 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 pizza dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in New York-Style Thin Crust 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 New York-Style Thin Crust Margherita Pizza 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.
Is New York-Style Thin Crust 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.
