What is Vegetarian Pizza?
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Meatless options have become very popular in most cuisines. Vegetarian pizza, a baked meatless Italian pie, is an option for vegetarians, those who may have a special needs diet, or simply for those looking for a healthier alternative to regular pizza. Vegetarian pizza features the same cheeses, seasonings, and sauces that regular pizza has, though the meat is replaced with vegetables and meat substitutes.
Many people believe that a vegetarian pizza consists of only sauce and cheese, but vegetarian cooking can be anything but boring. Vegetarian recipes for pizza feature a wide range of tasty toppings. These can include broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, onions, peppers, mushrooms, olives, and any other meatless items that the cook prefers. Highly nontraditional items like artichokes, asparagus, zucchini, squash, carrots, pickles, kale, cauliflower, dried vegetables, and other foods can liven up a vegetarian pizza as well.
To jazz up a vegetarian pizza, some cooks might opt to try several different kinds of sauces as well. In addition to the traditional marinara sauce used on most pizzas, other options include barbecue sauce, pesto, bruschetta, salsa, alfredo sauce, or any other sauce desired. Hot sauce can even be used for a spicier flavor. For a healthier alternative, a fresh layer of tomatoes can be substituted as sauce. Beans or lentils can also be used on pizza, either as toppings or a sauce base.
Fruits also make palatable vegetarian pizza toppings. Pineapple is a very popular choice. Other fruit toppings can include bananas, strawberries, kiwi, grapes, or any other fruits desired. Dessert pizzas may also feature jellies, jams, fruit dip, yogurt, or cream cheese as sauce.
Herbs are another popular addition to veggie pizzas. Roasted garlic, parsley, cilantro, and basil are often used as flavorings. Crushed red pepper, a spicy additive, is another favorite of many vegetarians. Some people also enjoy capers on their pizza. Different types of cheese may also be used, including feta, goat, shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and provolone cheeses.
Vegetarian cheese can also be used when preparing a vegetarian pizza. Vegans may not wish to consume regular cheese and instead opt for vegan cheese on their pizza. Vegetarian meat substitutes may also be used on a veggie pizza. Traditional ingredients such as ham, pepperoni, bacon, hamburger, and sausage can all be replaced with vegan versions of the same products. Vegan turkey and tofu can be used as a vegetarian protein on pizza.
Whether dining at a vegetarian restaurant or a typical pizza chain, vegetarian options are often on the menu. Vegan diners can usually request that the cheese be withheld as well. Vegetarian takeout pizza is also readily available. Health food stores may also sell frozen veggie pizza or kits for making homemade vegetarian pizza.
Sara Schmidt
A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for DelightedCooking and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.
Sara Schmidt
A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for DelightedCooking and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.
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![Cilantro is often used as a topping on vegetarian pizza.]()
By: Amber DeGraceCilantro is often used as a topping on vegetarian pizza. -
![Goat cheese, which is often used to top vegetarian pizza.]()
Goat cheese, which is often used to top vegetarian pizza. -
![Bananas are sometimes used to top vegetarian pizza.]()
By: Nikolai SorokinBananas are sometimes used to top vegetarian pizza. -
![A vegetarian pizza in an oven.]()
By: SerenethosA vegetarian pizza in an oven. -
![Whole basil leaves are often added to vegetarian pizzas.]()
By: Barbara PhebyWhole basil leaves are often added to vegetarian pizzas. -
![Sharp cheddar cheese can make a good topping for a vegetarian pizza.]()
By: Bert FolsomSharp cheddar cheese can make a good topping for a vegetarian pizza. -
![Mushrooms are a common topping on vegetarian pizza.]()
By: mbongoMushrooms are a common topping on vegetarian pizza. -
![Cauliflower is sometimes added to vegetarian pizzas.]()
By: ExQuisineCauliflower is sometimes added to vegetarian pizzas. -
![Pizza toppings can include unusual choices, such as kale.]()
By: silencefotoPizza toppings can include unusual choices, such as kale. -
![Lentils can be used in vegetarian pizza.]()
By: gitusikLentils can be used in vegetarian pizza. -
![Parsley is often used to flavor pizza.]()
By: Barbara PhebyParsley is often used to flavor pizza. -
![Pineapple is a common vegetarian pizza topping.]()
By: Malyshchyts ViktarPineapple is a common vegetarian pizza topping. -
![Onions can be used in both the sauce and topping on a vegetarian pizza.]()
By: NatikaOnions can be used in both the sauce and topping on a vegetarian pizza. -
![Vegetarian pizza may be topped with squash.]()
By: zigzagmtartVegetarian pizza may be topped with squash. -
![Vegetarian meat substitutes, like soya mince, may be sprinkled on a pizza instead of ground meat.]()
By: andystjohnVegetarian meat substitutes, like soya mince, may be sprinkled on a pizza instead of ground meat. -
![Pesto can be used instead of red sauce on a vegetarian pizza.]()
By: robert lerichPesto can be used instead of red sauce on a vegetarian pizza.
Discussion Comments
There is a turkey flavored tofu that works great on vegetarian pizza, especially combined with spinach and cheese like mozzarella. Something I like to do is make naan as a pizza base rather than the usual dough. It's not as thick as regular pizza dough but not too thin. It tastes very good, it's soft and dense and very filling.
There are even frozen versions but buying ready-made naan from the grocery store works too. I add the toppings and put it in the oven long enough for the cheese to melt. Of course, when doing this the veggies have to be fresh or sauteed. Baby spinach usually works just fine though.
@bluedolphin-- A vegetarian pizza can also be filling if it has a lot of ingredients like vegetables, cheese, tofu etc. I suggest making your own for this reason because frozen pizza tends to be stingy on the ingredients.
Load the pizza with a variety of vegetarian toppings. And make sure to include a lot of cheese and/or tofu. Non-veg pizza tends to be filling because meat is protein and it digests more slowly. That's why adding more vegetarian toppings with protein will make the pizza more filling.
There are also vegetarian and vegan meat substitutes but I'm personally not a huge fan of those. That's another option for vegetarians however.
I'm not vegetarian but I like vegetarian pizza. I have noticed though that vegetarian pizza is not as filling as non-veg pizza, especially if it has a thin crust. I could eat a whole thin crust vegetarian pizza myself.
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