Wood-Fired Pizza with Roasted Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella
Charred crust topped with slow-roasted tomato sauce, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil for a smoky, fresh pizza experience. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs pizza dough, medium, halved roma tomatoes, 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 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 6 medium, halved roma tomatoes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- optional, for garnish crushed red pepper flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss 6 halved roma tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp salt. Spread on a baking sheet cut side up and roast for 35 minutes until tomatoes are soft and slightly caramelized.
- Step 2: Transfer roasted tomatoes and juices to a blender and pulse until chunky sauce forms.
- Step 3: On a floured surface, stretch 1 lb pizza dough into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a pizza stone or baking sheet.
- Step 4: Spread the roasted tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Step 5: Arrange 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella over the sauce.
- Step 6: Drizzle remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over the top.
- Step 7: Bake pizza in the 450°F oven for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
- Step 8: Remove pizza and scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves on top. Optionally sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes for heat. Slice and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wood-Fired Pizza with Roasted Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Tomato 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 Roasted Tomato 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 Roasted Tomato 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.
Is Wood-Fired Pizza with Roasted Tomato and Fresh 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.