Wood-Fired Style Thin Crust Pizza with Herb Tomato Sauce

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

A thin, crisp pizza crust topped with a vibrant herb-infused tomato sauce and a light sprinkle of mozzarella, capturing the essence of traditional Italian wood-fired pizzas. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 100 minutes, pairs high-gluten 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 450 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: 90 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 150ml warm water with 5g active dry yeast and 2g sugar. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, mix 250g high-gluten flour with 5g salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and 15ml olive oil, stirring until a dough forms. Knead by hand for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise for 1 hour at room temperature until doubled in size.
  4. Step 4: While the dough rises, prepare the herb tomato sauce: mince 2 garlic cloves finely, then sauté them in 10ml olive oil over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Step 5: Add 150g canned crushed tomatoes, 10g chopped fresh basil, 5g chopped oregano, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the garlic oil. Simmer gently for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
  6. Step 6: Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside for 30 minutes to mimic a wood-fired oven.
  7. Step 7: Punch down the dough and roll it on a floured surface into a 12-inch thin round. Transfer to a pizza peel or parchment paper.
  8. Step 8: Spread the herb tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust. Tear 100g mozzarella cheese into small pieces and scatter over the sauce.
  9. Step 9: Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 7-9 minutes until the crust edges are golden and crisp and cheese is bubbling.
  10. Step 10: Remove from oven, let rest for 2 minutes, then slice and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Style Thin Crust Pizza with Herb Tomato Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (90 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 Style Thin Crust Pizza with Herb Tomato 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 high-gluten flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Style Thin Crust Pizza with Herb Tomato 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 Style Thin Crust Pizza with Herb Tomato Sauce 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.

What goes well with Wood-Fired Style Thin Crust Pizza with Herb Tomato 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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