Sal's Pizza Classic Thin-Crust Margherita
A simple thin-crust pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato sauce, baked to golden crisp perfection. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 27 minutes pairs pizza dough, tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside for 30 minutes to get it very hot.
- Step 2: On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 lb pizza dough into a 12-inch thin circle.
- Step 3: Transfer dough to a pizza peel or parchment paper. Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Step 4: Distribute 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes if using.
- Step 5: Slide pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 6: Remove pizza and immediately scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves on top. Drizzle with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil before slicing and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sal's Pizza Classic Thin-Crust Margherita 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 Sal's Pizza Classic Thin-Crust Margherita?
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 Sal's Pizza Classic Thin-Crust Margherita?
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 Sal's Pizza Classic Thin-Crust Margherita for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Sal's Pizza Classic Thin-Crust Margherita 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.
