Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella
A classic Neapolitan-style pizza featuring a blistered wood-fired crust topped with fresh mozzarella, bright tomato sauce, and aromatic basil leaves. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs ball pizza dough (12-inch round), San Marzano tomato sauce, leaves fresh basil leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 700 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.
Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough (12-inch round)
- 1/2 cup San Marzano tomato sauce
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500°F with a pizza stone inside for at least 45 minutes to mimic a wood-fired oven.
- Step 2: On a floured surface, stretch 1 ball of pizza dough into a 12-inch thin round, leaving a slightly thicker edge for the crust.
- Step 3: Spread 1/2 cup San Marzano tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border untreated.
- Step 4: Arrange 6 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly on top of the sauce.
- Step 5: Bake the pizza on the preheated stone for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is blistered and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and immediately scatter 10 fresh basil leaves over the hot pizza. Drizzle with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes if using.
- Step 7: Slice and serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Fresh Basil and 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 san marzano tomato sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and 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 Fresh Basil and 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 Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil and 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.
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