Wood-Fired Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza with Basil
Classic Italian pizza featuring a thin, crisp crust topped with fire-roasted tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves. This italian-inspired pizza (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs pizza dough, crushed whole peeled tomatoes, sliced fresh mozzarella for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 14 oz pizza dough
- 1 cup, crushed whole peeled tomatoes
- 6 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1, minced garlic clove
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp cornmeal
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500°F with a pizza stone inside for at least 30 minutes to mimic a wood-fired oven.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1 cup crushed whole peeled tomatoes, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Stir gently and set aside to let flavors meld.
- Step 3: Lightly dust a clean surface with 1 tbsp cornmeal, then stretch and roll 14 oz pizza dough into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick.
- Step 4: Transfer dough to a pizza peel or inverted baking sheet dusted with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Step 6: Arrange 6 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly on top of the sauce.
- Step 7: Slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone and bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step 8: Remove pizza from oven and immediately scatter 10 fresh basil leaves on top, then drizzle with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
- Step 9: Slice and serve hot for a fragrant, wood-fired inspired pizza experience.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wood-Fired Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza with Basil take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza with Basil?
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 Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza with Basil?
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 Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza with Basil 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 Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza with Basil 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.
