When it comes to pizza, cheesy goodness is the name of the game. Whether you order for delivery or make your own at home, everyone enjoys a good slice of pizza. Fortunately, most pizza toppings are also veggie-friendly.
You only need to know where to look and what not to eat if you want to stay away from any unpleasant side effects. From tomatoes and mushrooms to artichokes and olives, here are our top picks for unique vegetable-packed pizzas.
Artichoke Pizza
This pizza has a refreshingly tart flavor. The artichokes add a satisfying crunch while remaining soft in flavor. To round out the flavor, you could add a few tablespoons of fresh herbs, such as basil, or other dried herbs to add some extra flavor.
You could also add some crumbled goat cheese or a drizzle of olive oil to boost the protein content. To make this pizza, you’ll need to use canned artichoke hearts and or can be bought dry and re hydrated, making them easy to use in recipes. A key factor for this pizza is the pizza dough - this is really the key for all pizzas and something that Pizzaville excels with. The dough for this pizza must be soft enough to hold the ingredients together, yet hard enough to have structural integrity.
Black Bean Pizza
This pizza has a slight Latin American flair thanks to the black beans. You could also try using pinto beans or any other type of black beans you have in your pantry or freezer. You can use canned beans, but if you have the fresh version, you’ll want to use it for the most authentic pizza experience.
To add a kick of flavor to this pizza, you can use cayenne pepper or even crushed red pepper flakes. You could also add some fresh or dried herbs, such as oregano, basil or thyme. You could also jazz up the pizza by topping it with crushed or grilled avocado.
Blueberry Pizza
Blueberries are a great addition to any pizza, as they are frozen, meaning they’re in season and cheap. You could also try using blackberries or strawberries instead. Blueberries, like all berries, are full of antioxidants, helping to prevent cell damage and boost metabolism. They’re also a good source of fibre, which helps to keep you feeling full for longer.
To get the most flavor out of your blueberries, you can try using honey as a sweetener. You could also add some chopped up walnuts or pecans for a savory flavor along with some fresh or dried herbs, such as rosemary, thyme or oregano.
Butternut Squash Pizza
Butternut squash is a great option for vegetarians or vegans who want to include a winter squash in their diet. The squash adds a sweet flavor, while also providing a hearty texture. You could also add carrots or peas to this pizza to give it additional nutrients.
This pizza uses a slightly sweet dough, with a little bit of honey added to it. This is best for the pizza because it enhances the squash's sweetness and keeps the crust from being too tough.
To make this pizza, you'll need to roast the squash. You can do this either on the stove or in the oven. To roast the squash, start by cutting the squash in half and scooping out the seeds and stringy flesh. Next, place the squash cut side down in a baking pan, cover with tin foil and cook in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Once the squash is done, you can use a fork to mash it or use a food processor to get it to a more uniform texture.
The squash blends well with a variety of toppings, such as mushrooms, olives, spinach and savory herbs.
Corn pizza
Corn is a popular topping for pizza and is a nutritious addition to many meals, including tacos and burritos. You could also try using black beans or pinto beans, or any other type of bean you have in the pantry or freezer.
If you’d like to keep things simple, you can try topping the pizza with corn, mushrooms, olives, spinach and jalapeños, or whatever else you have in the fridge.
Eggplant Pizza
Eggplant is a great option for vegetarians as it provides a hearty, yet soft and slightly sweet, flavor. You could also try using butternut squash or carrots, or any other vegetable you have on hand.
To make this pizza, you will need to roast the eggplant. You can either do this on the stove or in the oven. If you do it in the oven, preheat it at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Once the eggplant is roasted, you can use it as a pizza base. The eggplant blends well with a variety of toppings, such as spinach, mushrooms, olives and tomatoes.
Olive and Carrot Pizza
This pizza has a Mediterranean flair thanks to the olives and carrots. You could also try using artichokes or peas. This pizza uses a slightly sweet dough with a savory flavor and a sweet and slightly salty flavor. The sweet and salty flavor comes from the use of olives and carrots and the savory flavor comes from the use of herbs, such as oregano and thyme.
To make this pizza, you will need to roast the carrots. You can either do this on the stove or in the oven. If you do it in the oven, preheat it at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Once the carrots are done, you can use them as a pizza base. The carrots blend well with a variety of toppings, such as olives and mushrooms.
Tomato Pizza
This pizza is a classic. It has a slightly sweet dough with a savory flavor and a slightly sweet and spicy flavor. The sweet and spicy flavor comes from the use of tomatoes, while the savory flavor comes from the use of basil and oregano, among others.
To make this pizza, you will need to bake the tomatoes. You can either do this on the stove or in the oven. If you do it in the oven, preheat it at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Once the tomatoes are done, you can use them as a pizza base. The tomatoes blend well with a variety of toppings, such as mushrooms, olives and artichokes.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many pizza recipes available, and all of them can be made vegan. Veggies make a healthy, delicious pizza option for you and your family. Whether you prefer regular or gluten-free pizza dough, you can create delicious veggie pizzas with any variety of vegetables. Try adding a few meat-based toppings to your veggie pizza to add some protein and minerals, and you’ve got a delicious meal ready for your family.
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Pizzaville is a local mom and pop pizzeria located at the corner of Goose Creek Road and Westport Road in Louisville, Kentucky (between Bandido Taqueria Mexicana and Great Clips). Pizzaville serves the best pizzas using scratch made dough, premium toppings, and the highest quality cheeses available all at a fair price with the friendliest, most helpful customer service in the industry.
For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Pizzaville’s website at www.pizzavillepizza.com
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Co-Authors - Rachael Reed and Todd Case