Wood-Fired Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Finish
A thin-crust pizza baked to perfection topped with fresh mozzarella and finished with fragrant basil after baking for a bright, fresh flavor. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs pizza dough, fresh mozzarella cheese, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 (about 250g) pizza dough
- 150g, sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 15 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone inside for at least 45 minutes.
- Step 2: On a floured surface, stretch the 250g pizza dough into a 12-inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Step 3: Lightly brush 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the dough, then scatter 150g sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, spacing slices to cover most of the surface.
- Step 4: Transfer the pizza to the hot stone and bake for 7-9 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Step 5: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately scatter 15 fresh basil leaves over the top, then season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper for brightness and seasoning.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wood-Fired Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Finish 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 Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Finish?
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 Basil Finish?
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 Basil Finish 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.
What goes well with Wood-Fired Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Finish?
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.
