Wood-Fired Pizza with Charred Tomato Sauce and Fresh Mozzarella

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

Neapolitan-style pizza baked in a wood-fired oven featuring smoky charred tomato sauce and melted fresh mozzarella cheese. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 40 minutes pairs pizza dough, roma tomatoes, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 30 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat a wood-fired pizza oven or conventional oven to 700°F (or highest setting). Slice 5 medium roma tomatoes in half and place cut-side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until the skins are charred and blackened.
  2. Step 2: In a blender, combine the roasted tomatoes with 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth to create a smoky tomato sauce.
  3. Step 3: Lightly flour a work surface and stretch 1 lb pizza dough into a 12-inch thin round. Sprinkle 2 tbsp cornmeal on a pizza peel or baking sheet to prevent sticking.
  4. Step 4: Spread the charred tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Tear 8 oz fresh mozzarella into chunks and distribute evenly over the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Slide the pizza onto the hot pizza stone or directly on the wood-fired oven floor. Bake for 5-7 minutes until the crust is blistered and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven and scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves on top. Drizzle with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Pizza with Charred Tomato Sauce and Fresh Mozzarella take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (30 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 Pizza with Charred Tomato Sauce 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 Pizza with Charred Tomato Sauce 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 Pizza with Charred Tomato Sauce 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.

What goes well with Wood-Fired Pizza with Charred Tomato Sauce and 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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