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Homemade Trader Joe’s Margherita Pizza

Homemade Trader Joe’s Margherita Pizza
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We’re keeping it super simple today with a “homemade” (almost homemade) Trader Joe’s Margherita Pizza. The reason I call it almost homemade is because we’re using the TJ’s pizza crust, which is mostly ready to use. I wanted to bring this super easy pizza recipe to you today because, A) it’s Trader Joe’s Week and we all love us some Trader Joe’s Pizza Dough, right?, and B) I love pizza and blogging about pizza but until today, the blog has been missing a really extra simple pizza recipe like this one.

Trader Joe’s Margherita Pizza

Random fact about me: my first job was at Domino’s Pizza! I can still stretch pizza dough like a pro. Although to be honest this dough is a lot different than the pizza dough we worked with at Domino’s. 

This recipe is for one pizza. If you have more than 4 people, I’d definitely make two or provide some solid side dishes because the pieces aren’t huge. Or maybe my family just really likes pizza and we eat more than the average Joe. 

Some easy side dishes for this are a pre-made salad (I love the bagged salads from the produce section) and bread sticks (find them in the bread section). 

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this pizza:

Trader Joe’s ready-to-bake pizza dough

extra virgin olive oil

8 oz mozzarella

Fresh basil

Trader Joe’s marinara sauce

Here are some tools that are useful, but not necessary:

Pizza Stone or Pizza Pan

Pizza cutter

What is a Margherita pizza, anyway?

Traditionally, a Margherita pizza includes sauce, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.  Sources (I’m a researcher, y’all) say that what makes a Margherita pizza a Margherita pizza (and not just a cheese pizza) is the type of mozzarella cheese or the type of tomatoes. And because this is the internet, those souces don’t agree. So, is it the type of cheese? Or the location the tomatoes came from? One day I’ll go to Italy and find out, but until then, I’m just here for the pizza, regardless of which type of mozzarella or tomatoes I’m using.

Margherita Pizza Trader Joe's Dough

This recipe is designed to fit into my Trader Joe’s Week meal plan, which is a collection of 7 dinner recipes (with a printable meal plan and grocery list – you can find it all here) that use similar ingredients so you’re not buying a ton of stuff and having leftover products/ingredients around the house. So, this recipe uses some of the marinara sauce that you’ll have leftover from making the Parma Rosa Gnocchi. If you would rather use pizza sauce or a different tomato sauce, go for it!

If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, you can use your local grocer’s pizza dough. 

Also, I really just want to talk about this gorgeous basil. I almost didn’t use it for these pictures because it kind of looks like a Jurassic plant is growing from the center of this pizza, but it was so magnificent I had to include it. Also, it tasted amazing.

Margherita Pizza Trader Joe's Dough

Here are some notes about this recipe:

The dough needs to rise before you start to work with it. The instructions say to let it rise for 20 minutes. I’ve found that it’s easier to work with if you can leave it out even longer. As it gets closer to room temperature, it’s a lot easier to stretch and manipulate the dough.

You’re going to follow the instructions on the package for this dough (the recipe card below is almost silly, because you’re going to follow the instructions on the bag and then put your toppings on…super simple). But I want to make sure you take note of a couple little things.

First, don’t skip the olive oil step! You’re going to brush olive oil over the crust before you put toppings on it. Just a little. But it really gives a pretty, golden crust and some nice crispy texture.

Second, don’t slice your tomatoes too thick. If they’re too thick, the juice leaks into the crust and makes it harder to bake. 

Margherita Pizza Trader Joe's Dough

Margherita Pizza with Trader Joe’s Pizza Dough

Created By Carrie
This super simple Margherita Pizza with Trader Joe's Pizza Dough is easy to make for family pizza night!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Rising time 20 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4
Calories 438 kcal

Equipment

  • Pizza stone or pizza pan (alternately, any baking sheet with a rim will do)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pizza dough ready-to-bake pizza dough from Trader Joe's
  • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 c marinara sauce
  • 8 oz Mozzarella sliced into 1/4"-1/2" slices
  • 2 plum tomatoes thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp fresh basil chopped or left in leaves

Instructions
 

  • Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. If you can let it sit even longer, it will be easier to work with.
  • Follow instructions on bag for making dough into a crust and also for bake time for your pizza.
  • Brush 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil across top of pizza crust. It shouldn't be wet…jusr glistening! If you're not sure, just start with 1 teaspoon.
  • Spread marinara sauce evenly over pizza with the back of a spoon. Leave 1/2" empty around the edge so you have a nice crust.
  • Top with mozzarella slices and tomato slices.
  • Bake according to instructions on pacakge. Cheese should melt and crust will be golden.
  • Remove from oven and add fresh basil. Enjoy!

Notes

Did you make this recipe? Share a photo on Instagram or Facebook and tag @carrieelleblog!

Nutrition

Calories: 438kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 21gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 1144mgPotassium: 167mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 787IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 292mgIron: 3mg
Keyword dinner, family-friendly, pizza, vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was with a rating and review!

One thing I love about pizza is that they are so easy to customize. You can add your favorite toppings and leave off the ones you don’t love. This makes pizza perfect for family dinners.

Be sure to check out all of the Trader Joe’s recipes and printable meal plan with grocery list here.

And if you need help with meal planning, I have you covered! Join my 30 Day Meal Plan Challenge below. It’s free, and you’ll get tons of recipes and exclusive printables!

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Is the nutrition for one piece?

If you want a real NY style. Use San Marazano DOP tomato either using crushed or whole drain off liquid want full richness add seasoning salt,pepper dash red pepper,oregano dash sugar as needed puree sauce well. As far as cheese need low moisture mozzarella cut into super small piece or grated on biggest grate don’t need 8oz literally 6 is more than enough it will cover the pie also cooking crusted tad longer. Makes good NY style

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