Ugh, weeknights, right? Sometimes you need that comforting, familiar taste of pizza, but you just don’t have the energy to simmer a whole sauce or wait an hour for dinner to be ready. Trust me, I get it! That’s why I’m obsessed with this simple yet absolutely dazzling Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza. We toss out the jarred sauce completely and lean into this crazy flavorful herbed butter base instead. If you’re looking for reasons to ditch the canned stuff, you should check out my guide on making homemade pizza sauce, but sometimes? You just can’t beat 30 minutes!
When I first tried this method, I was skeptical, but oh my goodness, the smell that fills the kitchen? Unbeatable! The butter melts right into the crust, mingling with the oregano and basil, and it makes this Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza taste like it came out of a fancy Italian oven, not my own kitchen counter, in under 30 minutes. It’s my secret weapon for busy days when I still want something that tastes like I put in major effort.
Why This Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza Is Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
Honestly, this recipe is all about making your life easier without sacrificing one bit of amazing flavor. This Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza should be in everyone’s rotation because it’s ridiculously fast once you get going. Forget complicated layering; this is straight-up deliciousness with minimal fuss.
- It’s ridiculously quick! Seriously, you’re looking at 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes in the oven.
- The flavor payoff is huge—that herbed butter base is what sets this pizza apart from everything else.
- It requires so few dishes; half the time I spend cleaning up feels longer than the actual cooking time!
Quick Prep and Cook Times for Your Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
You can have this on the table in about 30 minutes total, which is a miracle on a Tuesday night when everyone is starving. The prep time clocks in at a breezy 15 minutes. That’s mostly just mixing that gorgeous butter and slicing one tomato!
Then, the cook time is also just about 15 minutes, depending on how hot your oven runs. If you’ve got a good hot oven, you might even shave a minute or two off that time. It’s fast, simple, and totally satisfying when you need dinner NOW.
Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
When you skip the traditional red sauce, the quality of what you put down first—that herbed butter—becomes super important. Keeping things organized is key here so you can just drop things onto the dough when it’s time to assemble your gorgeous Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza. Don’t obsess over fancy ingredients; use what you like, but make sure the butter is real! If you love delicious spreads, you should really check out my recipe for soft honey butter dinner rolls; it uses a similar base idea.
I always lay everything out on the counter first. Having everything measured means assembly takes literally three minutes. It’s so smooth when you go from mixing the herbs to sprinkling the cheese without scrambling around. These few components are all you need for incredible results.

Ingredients for the Flavorful Herbed Butter Base
This is the soul of the pizza, so don’t skimp on the aromatics! You just need four tablespoons of unsalted butter, and please make sure it’s softened—room temperature, not melted! We’re mixing in about two cloves of fresh garlic that you’ll want to mince up really finely. Don’t worry about measuring the spices too exactly; we’re using one teaspoon of dried oregano and half a teaspoon of dried basil. A quarter teaspoon each of salt and black pepper finishes off this powerhouse spread.
Main Components for Your Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
For the structure, you’ll need one of those standard pizza dough balls—store-bought is perfectly fine for a weeknight pizza! Then comes the cheese; grab about one cup of mozzarella, shredded, of course. The tomatoes are crucial for that fresh pop against the richness of the butter. You want one large ripe tomato, and I mean thinly sliced, almost paper-thin if you can manage it. Finally, a little sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley right at the end makes this Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza look like it jumped right out of a magazine.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
Now that we’ve got our flavor base ready, it’s time to put this pie together! Trust me when I say that the order you do things in matters here, especially when building up that herbed butter foundation. This is where the speed of this Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza really pays off, but you have to be ready to move!
Preparing the Oven and Herbed Butter Mix
Okay, first things first: get that oven roaring! You need to preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 230 Celsius. While it’s heating up, shove a pizza stone or even just a flat baking sheet right into the oven so it gets screaming hot. That hot surface is non-negotiable for a crispy bottom! While that’s happening, take that softened butter, the minced garlic, the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, and just mash it all together in that little bowl until it’s perfectly uniform. That’s your magic mixture!
Assembling Your Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
Next, you need to tackle the dough. Gently stretch or roll it out however you like your crust—thin and crispy or a little thicker—on a surface you’ve dusted lightly with flour. Then, you need a safe way to transfer this thing. I always use parchment paper underneath my dough, or if you’re feeling fancy, use a peel dusted with cornmeal. Then, get that herbed butter spread evenly across the surface. Don’t go right to the edge; leave about a half-inch border for a good crust lip. After that, it’s just layers! Sprinkle on all your mozzarella, then arrange those pretty, thin tomato slices on top. They look so good sitting on the melted butter!
Baking and Finishing the Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
Carefully slide the whole setup—dough, butter, cheese, tomatoes—onto that hot stone or baking sheet you preheated. Bake it for about 10 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for the crust to turn golden brown and the cheese to be completely melted and bubbly all over. Watch it closely because every oven is different! Once it looks perfect, pull it out. The final touch? Sprinkle that fresh chopped parsley all over the top before you slice it. Seriously, that parsley is the best final step. You need to try my favorite bread recipe to go alongside it—check out Grandma’s Perfect Homemade Bread while you wait for it to cool slightly!

Expert Tips for the Best Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza Crust
Listen, anyone can spread butter on dough, but if you want a crust that sings, you need a couple of extra tricks up your sleeve. Since we aren’t using a layer of thick tomato sauce to protect the dough, the butter base can make things tricky. But trust me, these little adjustments turn your pie from good to *wow*!
The recipe notes already mention a great little hack: if you are a real texture fanatic and want that truly blistered, crispy crust, try pre-baking the dough! Pull that dough out, dust it with your flour, and give just the dough about three minutes alone in that 450-degree oven. Then, pull it out carefully, spread your herbed butter, and continue on. That little head start makes a huge difference for anyone who hates a chewy middle.
Here’s my absolute favorite tip for handling the dough itself. If you are using store-bought dough, please, please, *please* let it sit out on the counter for at least an hour before you try to stretch it. Cold dough hates you, and it fights back by shrinking the second you try to push it out. Room temperature dough is happy dough, and happy dough gives you a beautiful, even base for your Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza.
Also, because this pizza is so simple, don’t feel like you have to stick only to the listed seasonings. If you have dried rosemary, throw in half a teaspoon! It pairs unbelievably well with the tomato and garlic. I sometimes do a tiny drizzle of olive oil around the edge right before baking, too. It helps that crust puff up beautifully. If you want to learn more about making your own sauce down the line when you have more time, check out my thoughts on homemade pizza sauce, but for today’s quick bake, the butter base wins!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Pizza
Okay, I know the listed ingredients are specific, but baking is all about making things work for you, right? This Herbed Butter base is so flexible! If you happen to be out of dried oregano, don’t panic. Just use a little extra basil, or grab some fresh thyme if you have it creeping up in your herb garden. My rule of thumb is that if the herb is stronger, use less. You can always add more later!
The cheese choice is also totally negotiable. Mozzarella is the classic melter for a reason, but if you have some fontina or even a little smoked provolone lying around, mix a quarter cup in! It gives a lovely depth. If you want something tangier, a light grating of Parmesan right before it goes into the oven is wonderful.
When it comes to the dough, I usually reach for the pre-made balls because speed is the name of the game here. But hey, if you’ve got starter going strong, use your homemade pizza dough—it’ll be incredible! If you’re making bread from scratch often, you absolutely must check out this recipe for irresistible copycat Cheesecake Factory honey wheat bread; the flavor profile is just stunning.
Just remember, while the herbs and cheese can swing in different directions, try not to skip the fresh garlic in the butter. That’s where the real powerful aroma comes from! Everything else is negotiable when you’re trying to get dinner on the table fast.
Serving Suggestions for Your Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
Since this Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza is rich from the butter but still light thanks to being sauce-free, we want pairings that cut through that richness without feeling heavy. I hate feeling weighed down after eating pizza, you know?
This pizza shines when served alongside something really bright and acidic. My absolute go-to is a simple side salad. Think mixed greens with cucumber, maybe some thinly sliced red onion, and definitely a homemade lemon vinaigrette. That tang is the perfect counterpoint to the savory herbs.
If you’re feeling more ambitious, a light bowl of pasta tossed with some arugula and a little lemon zest would be great. You don’t need a heavy sauce; the pizza brings all the bold flavor! For a fantastic side salad recipe that’s super refreshing, check out my guide to a refreshing strawberry spinach salad. It sounds weird with pizza, but trust me, the sweet and tart balance is amazing!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
I swear, leftover pizza tastes even better the next day, but you have to treat it right! If you happen to have any Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza remaining—which, let’s be honest, is a small miracle because this disappears fast—storage matters immensely for that crust texture.
The goal is keeping the crust from getting soggy. Don’t just throw the box in the fridge! The cardboard absorbs moisture and then transfers it right back into your crust overnight. Instead, take your slices and layer them with a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper in between each one. Then, tuck that stack into an airtight container.
You can keep it like this in the refrigerator for about three to four days before it really starts losing that fresh snap. If you’re planning way ahead, you can freeze individual pieces nestled between parchment layers, too. Just make sure they are completely cool before you wrap them up tightly!

The Best Way to Reheat Your Leftover Pizza
Okay, this is where people mess up good Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza leftovers! Never, ever use the microwave unless you are absolutely desperate and have five seconds to spare—it turns the crust into a floppy, sad mess, even with that amazing herbed butter base.
The oven is your best friend here. Preheat your oven—or toaster oven, which is faster—to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the cold slices directly onto a baking sheet or, even better, right onto a piece of foil if you’re reheating more than two slices. Let it bake for about 8 to 10 minutes.
You will know it’s done when the cheese is soft again and the crust edges are crisping up nicely. If you want an extra crunchy bottom, you can carefully slide the slices directly onto the rack for the last two minutes, kind of like how we pre-baked the dough! If you love baking things until they are crispy, you have to check out my guide on ultimate sheet pan nachos; the principle of using a hot surface is the same!
How to Revive the Flavor After Refrigeration
Since we used no traditional sauce, the herbed butter might seem a little dried out after a few days in the cold. Don’t worry; the flavor is still locked in! When you reheat it in the oven, that butter base melts again, re-moisturizing the crust from the inside out. It basically refreshes itself!
I sometimes sprinkle just a tiny pinch of dried oregano or basil over the top right before it goes into the oven for that final reheat. It makes the aroma smell exactly like you just pulled it fresh out of the oven the first time. It’s an instant flavor boost!
Common Questions About Making This Pizza
It’s so exciting when you try a new recipe like our Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza, but sometimes little questions pop up right when you’re ready to bake! I’ve gathered a few things folks have asked me after their first attempt because, let’s face it, baking pizza should be fun, not stressful. If you’re looking for more adventurous takes, you can always look at something wild like my Hawaiian BBQ Buffalo Chicken Pizza, but for this beauty, keep it simple!
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sliced?
That’s a great question! You absolutely *can*, but you have to be careful. The recipe calls for thinly sliced tomatoes because they bake quickly and release their juices slowly, which is perfect for our herbed butter base. If you use chopped or halved cherry tomatoes, they tend to release too much water too fast while baking. This can steam the center of your dough and make the crust soggy before it gets that beautiful golden color.
If you must use cherry tomatoes, I recommend cutting them in half and patting them *very* dry with a paper towel before they go on the cheese. Remember, moisture control is everything when you aren’t using a typical thick sauce!
What kind of pizza dough works best for the Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza?
Honestly, I rely on store-bought dough 90% of the time for this recipe because it’s all about speed. Any classic white flour dough ball you find in the refrigerated section is going to work wonderfully. You can use thin crust, or you can let it rest and stretch it a bit thicker for a chewier middle.
If you decide to make your own dough, go for a standard Neapolitan or New York-style dough; the high heat helps these types crisp up nicely. Just make sure whatever dough you use is at true room temperature before you start stretching it, or you’ll be fighting it the whole time! Cold dough just ruins the geometry of making the perfect pizza.
Can I add meat to this vegetarian pizza?
While I love keeping this Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza vegetarian because the herbs and fresh tomato shine so brightly on their own, you can certainly add meat if you want a heartier dinner! The trick is making sure whatever you add is pre-cooked and doesn’t release a ton of extra grease, because that herbed butter is already rich.
Thinly shaved salami or prosciutto works amazing because you can layer it right on top of the cheese, and it crisps up beautifully in the heat. If you want something like cooked sausage or crumbled chicken, I’d suggest patting it down firmly with a paper towel first to remove any excess moisture or fat. We want the butter to rule the roost here, not greasy meat!
Nutritional Snapshot of Your Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
Now, I usually don’t pay too much mind to the numbers when I’m whipping up something this delicious, especially on a busy weeknight—I’m too busy enjoying that fantastic herbed butter smell! But since some of you lovely readers like to keep track, I figured I’d jot down the estimated nutritional breakdown based on slicing the whole pizza into 8 pieces, which seems like a good serving size.
Remember, these numbers are just estimates based on the standard ingredients listed. If you swap in veggie sausage or use a whole wheat dough, things will certainly shift! But for a standard run of this pizza, here’s what you’re looking at per slice. If you’re focused on boosting your protein intake, you might want to check out my tips for energizing high-protein breakfast recipes for other parts of your day!
- Calories: About 250 per slice
- Total Fat: Around 12g (A little higher here because we use that delicious butter base!)
- Saturated Fat: Roughly 7g
- Carbohydrates: About 28g
- Protein: A solid 10g
- Sugar: Only about 3g, which is great since we aren’t loading it up with sugary sauce!
- Sodium: Estimated at 450mg
It really is a wonderfully balanced meal when you consider the protein from the cheese and the carbs from the dough. Enjoying a beautiful, tasty pizza without the heavy headache of a long-cooked sauce? That’s what I call a win for weeknight cooking!
Share Your Thoughts on This Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
And there you have it! My absolute favorite way to get a gourmet-tasting pizza on the table when I’ve only got 30 minutes to spare. I really hope you try this Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza recipe because it changes the whole “quick dinner” game. That herbed butter base is simply transformative; once you taste it, you’ll never want to go back to plain oil or jarred sauce on a Tuesday night again!
I poured my heart into making this recipe as straightforward as possible, but I know how much better food tastes when you share it. So, please, when you give this a go—and I hope you do it this weekend—come back and tell me all about it! Did your crust turn out crispy? Did you sneak in any extra herbs?
Leave a rating below so other busy home cooks know how much you loved it. And if you snapped a picture of your beautiful, cheesy slices, tag me on social media! I absolutely love seeing your creations. Sharing food is how we build community, and your feedback helps me keep digging up these fantastic, fast recipes for you.
If you have any burning questions that I didn’t cover, or maybe some genius substitutions you discovered, don’t hesitate to reach out directly through my contact page. Happy baking, and I hope this Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza brings a little bit of easy joy to your week!
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Herbed Butter Tomato Pizza
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 1 large pizza 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple pizza recipe featuring a flavorful herbed butter base and fresh tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough ball
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 large ripe tomato, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven while it preheats.
- In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper until well combined. This is your herbed butter.
- Stretch or roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness and shape on a lightly floured surface.
- Carefully transfer the dough to a piece of parchment paper or a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal.
- Spread the herbed butter evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the herbed butter.
- Arrange the thin tomato slices evenly over the cheese.
- Slide the pizza (with the parchment paper if using) onto the preheated stone or baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before slicing and serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a crispier crust, bake the dough plain for 3 minutes before adding the toppings.
- Use high-quality tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 30
Keywords: pizza, herbed butter, tomato, mozzarella, easy dinner, vegetarian
