Wood-Fired Italian Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella

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

A classic Italian pizza featuring a thin, hand-stretched crust topped with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves, baked to bubbly perfection. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 24 minutes pairs grams pizza dough, tomato sauce, grams, sliced fresh mozzarella for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 1, 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: 9 min Serves 1 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: On a lightly floured surface, stretch 250 grams of pizza dough into a 10.5-inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick, ensuring an even thickness.
  3. Step 3: Spread 1/3 cup of tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
  4. Step 4: Arrange 120 grams of sliced fresh mozzarella evenly atop the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 7-9 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
  6. Step 6: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter 10 fresh basil leaves over the top.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if using. Slice and serve hot.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Italian Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella take to make?

Total time is about 24 minutes (15 min prep + 9 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 Wood-Fired Italian Margherita Pizza with Fresh 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 grams pizza dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Italian Margherita Pizza with Fresh 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 Wood-Fired Italian Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Wood-Fired Italian Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella?

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.

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