North Italian-Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thin-crust pizza topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil, baked to a perfect golden crust reminiscent of Northern Italian traditions. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 25 minutes pairs pizza dough, san marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside for at least 30 minutes to ensure a hot surface.
  2. Step 2: Stretch 300 g pizza dough into a 12-inch thin round on a floured surface, making sure the edges are slightly thicker.
  3. Step 3: Spread 100 g san marzano tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
  4. Step 4: Tear 125 g fresh mozzarella into small pieces and distribute evenly over the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper across the pizza.
  6. Step 6: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
  7. Step 7: Remove pizza from oven and immediately scatter 10 g fresh basil leaves on top.
  8. Step 8: 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 North Italian-Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella 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 North Italian-Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella?

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 North Italian-Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella?

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 North Italian-Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella 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 North Italian-Style Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella?

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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