Wood-Fired Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Mozzarella

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A crispy wood-fired pizza topped with slow-roasted garlic cloves, fresh mozzarella, and a sprinkle of fresh basil for a smoky, savory delight. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs pizza dough, whole garlic cloves, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your wood-fired oven or conventional oven to 500°F. Toss 8 whole garlic cloves with 1 tbsp olive oil and wrap them in foil, roasting inside the oven for 20 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Lightly dust a pizza peel or baking sheet with 1 tbsp cornmeal and stretch 12 oz pizza dough into a 12-inch round, then transfer it onto the peel.
  3. Step 3: Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, then tear 6 oz fresh mozzarella into chunks and scatter over the sauce.
  4. Step 4: Remove the roasted garlic cloves from foil, mash them gently with a fork, and spread the roasted garlic evenly atop the cheese.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle the pizza with remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
  6. Step 6: Slide the pizza into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  7. Step 7: Remove the pizza, scatter 10 fresh basil leaves on top, slice, and serve immediately for a smoky, garlic-forward pizza experience.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Pizza with Roasted Garlic and Mozzarella take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Roasted Garlic 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 pizza dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Pizza with Roasted Garlic 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 Pizza with Roasted Garlic 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 Pizza with Roasted Garlic 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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