Wood-Fired Pizza with Hand-Tossed Dough and Roasted Garlic Sauce

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

A rustic pizza featuring a hand-tossed crust topped with a fragrant roasted garlic sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (105°F) and let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt, then add the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp olive oil, stirring to form a dough. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, roast 6 whole garlic cloves wrapped in foil at 375°F for 20 minutes until soft and caramelized. Mash the garlic cloves with 1/2 tsp salt and stir into 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes with 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to create the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Preheat your oven or wood-fired pizza oven to 500°F. Punch down the dough and roll out on a floured surface to a 12-inch circle.
  6. Step 6: Spread the roasted garlic tomato sauce evenly over the dough, tear 8 oz fresh mozzarella into chunks and distribute on top.
  7. Step 7: Bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  8. Step 8: Remove from oven, scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves over the top, slice, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Pizza with Hand-Tossed Dough and Roasted Garlic Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Hand-Tossed Dough and Roasted Garlic Sauce?

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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Pizza with Hand-Tossed Dough and Roasted Garlic Sauce?

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 Hand-Tossed Dough and Roasted Garlic Sauce 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 Hand-Tossed Dough and Roasted Garlic Sauce?

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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