This colorful veggie pizza is packed with yummy toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. It’s perfect for satisfying your cravings without the heaviness!
I love how easy it is to whip up in no time. Plus, you can customize it with your favorite veggies. Who says pizza can’t be healthy? 🍕✨
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pizza Dough: Pre-made dough is super convenient! If you want to make it from scratch, use flour, yeast, water, and a bit of salt. For a healthier twist, try whole wheat or cauliflower crust.
Pizza Sauce: Traditional pizza sauce works great, but marinara or pesto are tasty alternatives. If you’re short on time, even store-bought sauces are a good option!
Cheese: Mozzarella is the classic choice for pizza. If you’re dairy-free, consider almond or cashew-based cheese, or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
Vegetables: Feel free to mix and match! Spinach, artichokes, olives, or even roasted eggplant work well. If you can’t find bok choy, any leafy green like kale or arugula will add great nutrients.
How Do I Get the Crust Just Right?
Getting a perfectly crispy crust is key to a great pizza! Here’s how you can achieve this:
- Make sure your oven is preheated to at least 475°F. A hot oven gives you that desirable crispiness.
- If using a pizza stone, preheat it for at least 30 minutes. This ensures the stone is hot enough to create a nice crust when baking.
- Dust your pizza peel or baking sheet with cornmeal or flour. This helps the pizza slide off easily and gives a little crunch to the bottom.
- Avoid overloading the pizza with toppings. While it’s tempting to pile them on, too many toppings can make the crust soggy.
With these tips, you’ll have a delicious veggie pizza that’s perfectly crispy and loaded with flavor!
How to Make a Delicious Veggie Pizza
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pizza:
- 1 pre-made pizza dough (about 12 inches)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup broccoli florets, lightly steamed or roasted
- 1/2 small zucchini, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup bok choy or baby spinach leaves
- 1/4 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cornmeal or flour, for dusting
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prep and around 12-15 minutes to bake. So, you’ll be enjoying your delicious veggie pizza in just about 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you’re using a pizza stone, place it inside the oven to heat up as well. A hot oven is key for a crispy crust!
2. Roll Out the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface or one dusted with cornmeal, gently roll out your pizza dough to about 12 inches in diameter. Don’t worry if it’s not a perfect circle—rustic is charming!
3. Transfer the Dough:
Carefully move the rolled-out dough onto a pizza peel or a baking sheet. If using a baking sheet, you can leave it directly there for baking.
4. Add the Sauce:
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, making sure to leave a small border at the edges so the crust can rise and get nice and crispy.
5. Sprinkle the Cheese:
Now, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce. The more cheese, the better, right?
6. Top with Veggies:
Arrange all your prepared vegetable toppings over the cheese. Get creative! Evenly distribute the broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, bok choy or spinach, and mushrooms across the pizza.
7. Add Flavor:
Drizzle a little olive oil over the top of the veggies and sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. This step adds wonderful flavor!
8. Bake the Pizza:
Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or simply place your baking sheet in the oven. Bake it for about 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and delicious.
9. Cool and Serve:
Once out of the oven, let your pizza cool for a few minutes. Then slice it up and serve warm. Enjoy the colorful, veggie-packed goodness!
This scrumptious veggie pizza offers a delightful mix of flavors and colors, and the crispy crust pairs perfectly with the juicy veggies and melted cheese. Enjoy your homemade treat! 🍕
Can I Use Store-Bought Dough?
Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough is a great time-saver and is perfect for a quick meal. Just be sure to follow package instructions for best results.
How Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free?
To make the veggie pizza dairy-free, substitute the mozzarella cheese with a dairy-free cheese alternative, or use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
What Other Vegetables Can I Use?
Feel free to customize your veggie pizza with any of your favorite toppings! Great options include spinach, artichokes, olives, or even roasted eggplant. Just remember to pat them dry if they’re watery to avoid sogginess.
Can I Freeze Leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze leftover pizza! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll stay good for up to two months. To reheat, bake directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) until heated through.