Veggie Pizza Recipe
As a major pizza enthusiast who loves to experiment with flavors, let me share my go-to veggie-loaded pizza recipe that’s a total game-changer for casual nights in. 🍕🌿
One of my favorite go-to meals is a colorful veggie pizza loaded with fresh ingredients. I love using a pre-made crust topped with tangy pizza sauce and a generous handful of shredded mozzarella.
The combination of bell peppers, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes not only adds vibrant colors but also boosts the nutritional value.
Veggie Pizza Recipe Ingredients
- Pizza Dough/Crust: Foundation of the pizza; provides carbohydrates.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese; source of protein.
- Bell Peppers: Colorful and crunchy; rich in vitamins A and C.
- Mushrooms: Earthy flavor; low in calories, high in antioxidants.
- Black Olives: Salty, savory; contains healthy fats and vitamin E.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy and sweet; excellent source of vitamin C.
- Olive Oil: Rich and smooth; heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
- Oregano and Basil: Aromatic herbs; boost flavor and antioxidants.
- Red Onion: Sharp, flavorful; contains fiber and vitamin C.
Veggie Pizza Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pre-made pizza dough or crust
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
How to Make this Veggie Pizza Recipe
1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet or a preheated pizza stone.
3. Spread 1/2 cup of pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
4. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. Distribute the sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and red onion evenly over the cheese.
6. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes on top of the other vegetables.
7. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the entire pizza, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and dried basil.
8. Add salt and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, slice, and serve.
Veggie Pizza Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Oven
2. Pizza stone (optional)
3. Baking sheet
4. Rolling pin
5. Flour (for dusting surface)
6. Spoon (for spreading sauce)
7. Measuring cups and spoons
8. Knife (for slicing vegetables)
9. Cutting board
10. Oven mitts
11. Pizza cutter or sharp knife
FAQ
- Q: Can I use whole wheat pizza dough for this recipe?
A: Yes, whole wheat pizza dough can be used for a healthier option, and it will add a slightly nutty flavor to the pizza. - Q: How can I make this pizza vegan?
A: To make the pizza vegan, use a vegan cheese substitute in place of mozzarella and Parmesan. - Q: Can I prepare the vegetables in advance?
A: Absolutely, you can slice the vegetables a day before and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. - Q: What if I don’t like olives?
A: You can omit the olives or replace them with another topping such as artichoke hearts or sun-dried tomatoes. - Q: How long should I bake the pizza?
A: Bake the pizza at 475°F (245°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. - Q: Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
A: Yes, fresh herbs can enhance the flavor. Use about 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano and basil, finely chopped, in place of the dried herbs.
Veggie Pizza Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- 1 pre-made pizza dough or crust
- Sub: Whole wheat pizza dough or cauliflower crust for a gluten-free option.
Pro Tips
1. Preheat the Oven with the Pizza Stone: If you’re using a pizza stone, let it heat in the oven for at least 30 minutes at 475°F (245°C). This ensures a crispier crust by mimicking a professional pizza oven.
2. Dry Your Vegetables: Before adding bell peppers and mushrooms, pat them dry with a paper towel. This prevents excess moisture on the pizza, which can lead to a soggy crust.
3. Par-Bake the Crust: For an extra crunchy base, consider par-baking the pizza dough for 5 minutes before adding the sauce and toppings. This helps to ensure the crust is cooked thoroughly beneath the toppings.
4. Cheese Layering Technique: Add a small layer of mozzarella cheese before placing the vegetables, then the remaining cheese on top. This helps the toppings adhere to the pizza better and creates a delightful cheesy layer on top.
5. Herb Infusion: Mix the teaspoon each of dried oregano and dried basil with the olive oil before drizzling it on the pizza. This allows the flavors to infuse the oil, enhancing the overall taste profile of the pizza.
Veggie Pizza Recipe
My favorite Veggie Pizza Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Oven
2. Pizza stone (optional)
3. Baking sheet
4. Rolling pin
5. Flour (for dusting surface)
6. Spoon (for spreading sauce)
7. Measuring cups and spoons
8. Knife (for slicing vegetables)
9. Cutting board
10. Oven mitts
11. Pizza cutter or sharp knife
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made pizza dough or crust
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet or a preheated pizza stone.
3. Spread 1/2 cup of pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
4. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. Distribute the sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and red onion evenly over the cheese.
6. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes on top of the other vegetables.
7. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the entire pizza, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano and dried basil.
8. Add salt and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, slice, and serve.
