Basil-Kissed Margherita Pizza

Name: Basil-Kissed Margherita Pizza
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 7 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound pizza dough (at room temperature); 0.5 cup San Marzano tomatoes (crushed or puréed); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt; 0.25 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground); 8 ounce fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced or torn); 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves; 1 romaine lettuce (large head, chopped); 0.5 cup croutons; 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 0.5 cup Caesar dressing; 4 slice crusty bread; 2 tablespoon butter (softened); 1 clove garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon fresh parsley (chopped)

A classic Italian pizza topped with vibrant San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fragrant fresh basil, served with a crisp Caesar salad and garlic bread.

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 20 min
Total: 40 min
Servings: 7
Cuisine: Italian
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $2.18/serving

Dietary

Egg-Free
Nut-Free
Soy-Free
Vegetarian
Pescatarian
Low-Sugar

Ingredients

1 pound pizza dough (at room temperature)
0.5 cup San Marzano tomatoes (crushed or puréed)
1 tablespoon olive oil
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
8 ounce fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced or torn)
0.25 cup fresh basil leaves
1 romaine lettuce (large head, chopped)
0.5 cup croutons
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
0.5 cup Caesar dressing
4 slice crusty bread
2 tablespoon butter (softened)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven during preheating. Lightly flour a pizza peel or baking sheet.
Gently stretch or roll the pizza dough into a roughly 12-inch circle or rectangle on the prepared surface.
In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup crushed San Marzano tomatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Spread the sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
Distribute 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven or pizza stone.
Bake for 12-18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned in spots. Cooking time may vary depending on oven and crust thickness.
While the pizza bakes, prepare the Caesar salad and garlic bread. In a large bowl, combine 1 chopped large head romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup croutons, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss with 1/2 cup Caesar dressing.
For the garlic bread, mix 2 tablespoons softened butter with 1 minced garlic clove and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley if using. Spread evenly on 4 slices crusty bread. Bake in the oven alongside the pizza for the last 5-7 minutes, or until golden.
Once the pizza is out of the oven, scatter 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves over the top. Slice and serve immediately with the Caesar salad and garlic bread.

Notes

Using good quality pizza dough and San Marzano tomatoes makes a big difference in flavor. If you can't find fresh mozzarella, regular shredded mozzarella works too.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 420
Protein: 19.5 g
Carbohydrates: 40.2 g
Fat: 20.1 g
Fiber: 4.1 g
Sodium: 880 mg
Saturated Fat: 9.8 g
Sugar: 5 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg