Wood-Fired Redmond-Inspired Margherita Pizza

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

A simple, fresh pizza featuring a smoky wood-fired crust topped with ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 85 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 75 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast. Slowly mix in 1 cup warm water (110°F) and 2 tbsp olive oil until a dough forms. Knead for 7-8 minutes on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your oven to 500°F with a pizza stone or steel inside for 45 minutes to mimic a wood-fired oven's heat.
  3. Step 3: Roll out the dough to a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a pizza peel or parchment paper.
  4. Step 4: Spread 1 cup crushed San Marzano tomatoes evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
  5. Step 5: Arrange 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly on top. Season with coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. Step 6: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is blistered and golden and cheese is melted and bubbling.
  7. Step 7: Remove from oven and immediately scatter 12 fresh basil leaves over the pizza. Drizzle lightly with 1 tbsp olive oil if desired. Slice and serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Redmond-Inspired Margherita Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (75 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 Redmond-Inspired Margherita Pizza?

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 Redmond-Inspired Margherita Pizza?

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 Redmond-Inspired Margherita Pizza 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 Redmond-Inspired Margherita Pizza?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes