Salvatore’s Style Tomato Pie with Fresh Basil
A classic Italian tomato pie featuring a tender, flaky crust topped with a sweet and savory tomato sauce and fresh basil, inspired by Salvatore's Tomato Pies. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 115 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water (110°F) into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water (110°F)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 can (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
The pizza stone or steel we’d bake this on → Best Pizza Stones and Steels for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup warm water (110°F), 1 tsp sugar, and 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast. Stir and let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp olive oil, stirring to combine. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Step 4: While the dough rises, prepare the tomato sauce by heating 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes and 1 tsp dried oregano. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil.
- Step 5: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 12x14-inch rectangle. Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking pan, pressing dough evenly to the edges.
- Step 6: Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes, garnish with additional fresh basil if desired, then cut into squares and serve.








