Vegetarian Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and Buffalo Mozzarella

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple yet flavorful Margherita pizza topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomato slices, and aromatic basil leaves on a hand-stretched dough. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 27 minutes pairs pizza dough, tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 550 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 240°C (465°F). On a lightly floured surface, roll out 280 g pizza dough into a 28 cm diameter circle.
  2. Step 2: Spread 90 ml tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 2 cm edge.
  3. Step 3: Tear 125 g buffalo mozzarella into small chunks and distribute evenly over the sauce.
  4. Step 4: Arrange thin slices from 1 medium ripe tomato on top of the cheese.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 tsp sea salt over the toppings and drizzle 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
  6. Step 6: Bake directly on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet for 10-12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melted with slight browning.
  7. Step 7: Remove from oven and scatter 12 g fresh basil leaves over the hot pizza before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vegetarian Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and Buffalo 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 Vegetarian Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and Buffalo 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 pizza dough from drying out.

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

Related recipes