Wood-Fired Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella and Arugula

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

Thin-crust pizza baked in a wood-fired oven topped with creamy fresh mozzarella, peppery arugula, and a drizzle of olive oil. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 23 minutes, pairs pizza dough, fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 8 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 380 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 the highest temperature possible) and allow a pizza stone to heat for at least 45 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Stretch 14 oz pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch round about 1/4-inch thick.
  3. Step 3: Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
  4. Step 4: Tear 8 oz fresh mozzarella into small pieces and scatter evenly over the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the pizza onto the hot pizza stone and bake for 6-8 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
  6. Step 6: Meanwhile, mince 2 garlic cloves finely and toss with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 cup fresh arugula, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  7. Step 7: Remove the pizza from the oven, top immediately with the dressed arugula mixture, and drizzle any remaining olive oil over the top. Slice and serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 23 minutes (15 min prep + 8 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 Fresh Mozzarella and Arugula?

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 Fresh Mozzarella and Arugula?

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 Fresh Mozzarella and Arugula 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 Fresh Mozzarella and Arugula?

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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