Tavern-Style Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A crisp, thin-crust pizza with a fragrant herb crust and house-made tomato sauce, inspired by Old Chicago's classic tavern style. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 89 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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.

★ 4.1 (15 ratings) Prep: 75 min Cook: 14 min Serves 4 American cuisine 620 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp instant yeast, 1/2 tsp sugar, and 3/4 tsp kosher salt. Add 3/4 cup warm water and 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth, then place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
  2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 475°F with a pizza stone inside. In a saucepan, combine 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, and a pinch of salt. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until thickened and fragrant, then stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil.
  3. Step 3: Punch down risen dough, roll into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface, and transfer to a floured pizza peel. Spread 3/4 cup tomato sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup fresh basil. Slide onto the preheated stone and bake for 12-14 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese bubbles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tavern-Style Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust take to make?

Total time is about 89 minutes (75 min prep + 14 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 Tavern-Style Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust?

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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tavern-Style Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust?

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 Tavern-Style Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust 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 Tavern-Style Pizza with Herb-Crusted Crust?

American pasta 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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