Wood-Fired Pizza with Smoked Mozzarella and Charred Cherry Tomatoes

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

A thin-crust pizza baked in a wood-fired oven topped with smoky mozzarella, blistered cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs pizza dough, sliced smoked mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your wood-fired oven or conventional oven to 500°F with a pizza stone inside for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Toss 1 cup cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spread on a hot cast iron skillet or baking sheet and roast for 8 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and slightly charred.
  3. Step 3: Stretch 1 lb pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch round. Transfer to a pizza peel dusted with flour.
  4. Step 4: Arrange 8 oz sliced smoked mozzarella evenly over the dough, then scatter the charred cherry tomatoes on top.
  5. Step 5: Slide the pizza onto the hot pizza stone and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
  6. Step 6: Remove pizza from oven and immediately scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Let cool for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Pizza with Smoked Mozzarella and Charred Cherry Tomatoes take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Smoked Mozzarella and Charred Cherry Tomatoes?

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 Smoked Mozzarella and Charred Cherry Tomatoes?

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 Smoked Mozzarella and Charred Cherry Tomatoes 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 Smoked Mozzarella and Charred Cherry Tomatoes 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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