Rustic Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple, hand-stretched pizza topped with tangy tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves, baked to a golden crust. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 27 minutes pairs room temperature pizza dough, olive oil, tomato sauce 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: 12 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F and place a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet inside to heat for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: On a lightly floured surface, stretch 12 oz pizza dough into a 12-inch round, keeping edges slightly thicker for the crust.
  3. Step 3: Transfer dough to a piece of parchment paper. Brush dough lightly with 1 tbsp olive oil and spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the surface, leaving a 1-inch border.
  4. Step 4: Distribute 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly over the sauce, then sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt over cheese.
  5. Step 5: Slide pizza on the parchment paper onto the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese bubbles.
  6. Step 6: Remove pizza from oven and immediately scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves on top. Optionally sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes.
  7. Step 7: Let pizza rest for 2 minutes, then slice and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Rustic Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Rustic Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and 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 room temperature pizza dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and 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 Rustic Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and 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.

Is Rustic Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella 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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