Simple Sheet Pan Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil
An easy homemade margherita pizza baked on a sheet pan with fresh mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce, and fragrant basil leaves, perfect for picky eaters. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 30 minutes pairs store-bought or homemade 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 400 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 store-bought or homemade pizza dough
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 8 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup whole leaves fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 475°F. Lightly oil a large rimmed baking sheet with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 2: Roll out 1 lb pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12x16-inch rectangle. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 3: Brush the dough evenly with 1 tbsp olive oil. Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Step 4: Arrange 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly over the tomato sauce. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp dried oregano on top.
- Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Step 6: Remove pizza from oven and immediately scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves and 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese over the top before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simple Sheet Pan Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Simple Sheet Pan Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simple Sheet Pan Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil?
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 Simple Sheet Pan Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil 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.
What goes well with Simple Sheet Pan Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil?
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.
