Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Basil and Fresh Mozzarella

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Classic thin-crust pizza topped with tangy tomato sauce, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves cooked to perfection in a wood-fired oven style. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs pizza dough, tomato sauce, sliced fresh mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to its highest setting, ideally 500°F or more. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: On a lightly floured surface, stretch 1 lb pizza dough into a 12-inch round about 1/4 inch thick, leaving a slightly thicker edge for the crust.
  3. Step 3: Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
  4. Step 4: Distribute 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt and drizzle 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil on top.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the pizza to the hot pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbling.
  6. Step 6: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter 1/4 cup whole fresh basil leaves over the top. Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
  7. Step 7: Let the pizza rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Margherita Pizza with Basil and 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 pizza dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Basil and 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 Margherita Pizza with Basil and Fresh Mozzarella 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.

Is Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Basil and Fresh 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