Ultimate Vegan Cheesy Pizza Recipe: Delicious and Dairy-Free
Indulge in the ultimate vegan cheesy pizza, a delightful creation that combines the rich flavors of plant-based cheeses with the perfect blend of fresh, wholesome ingredients. This recipe promises to deliver a mouthwatering experience, featuring a crispy, golden crust topped with a luscious layer of melty Nuttino cashew mozzarella vegan cheese, tangy tomato sauce, and an array of vibrant vegetables. This homemade vegan cheesy pizza is sure to satisfy your cravings and impress your taste buds. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that proves you don’t need dairy to enjoy a truly cheesy pizza delight!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 ½ cups warm water 45°C
- 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons sugar or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 can tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 200 grams of Nuttino cashew mozzarella cheese
- Sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, and green)
- Sliced red onions
- Sliced mushrooms
- Black olives
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Baby spinach leaves
Instructions
Dough Preparation Instructions
Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
Form the Dough: Mix the ingredients together using a wooden spoon or a dough hook attachment on a stand mixer until a shaggy dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is manageable.
Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to the touch. If using a stand mixer, knead on medium speed for about 5–7 minutes.
First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1–2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Punch Down and Second Rise: Once the dough has doubled, punch it down to release the air. If you are making two pizzas, divide the dough into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and let it rest for about 10 minutes to relax the gluten.
Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 245°C and place a baking pan inside to heat up. Roll out each dough ball on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper
Your pizza dough is now ready to be topped with sauce, cheese, and your favorite vegan toppings before baking to perfection.
Sauce Preparation Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients: Gather all your sauce ingredients: tomato sauce, tomato paste, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, onion powder, sugar, salt and black pepper
Sauté the Garlic: Add the minced garlic to a medium-sized saucepan and sauté for 1–2 minutes, or until it becomes fragrant and slightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Combine the Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato sauce and tomato paste, mixing well to combine with the garlic.
Add the Seasonings: Add the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, onion powder salt, and black pepper to the tomato mixture. Stir well to incorporate all the seasonings evenly.
Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to mix and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Adjust Seasonings: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your preference.
Cool and Store: Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency and flavor, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. Your vegan pizza sauce is now ready to be spread on your pizza dough, bringing rich and savory flavors to your ultimate vegan cheesy pizza!
Assembling and Baking the Pizza
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 245°C.
Prepare the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out your prepared pizza dough to your desired thickness. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a piece of parchment paper or a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal for easy transfer to the oven.
Add the Sauce: Spread an even layer of your homemade vegan pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
Add the Cheese: Add the vegan mozzarella cheese over the sauce, you can drop pieces over the pizza and spread them out evenly.
Add the Toppings: Arrange your chosen toppings over the cheese. You can use a combination of sliced bell peppers, red onions, mushrooms, black olives, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, artichoke hearts, fresh basil leaves
Bake the Pizza: Carefully transfer the assembled pizza to the preheated oven
Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Cool and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. This helps the cheese set slightly and makes slicing easier.
Garnish and Enjoy: If desired, garnish with additional fresh basil leaves, slice the pizza, and enjoy your ultimate vegan cheese pizza!
Your delicious vegan cheesy pizza is now ready to be enjoyed!
Gluten-Free Pizza Crust Recipe Variation
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 1/2 cups warm water 45°C
- 1 tablespoon sugar or maple syrup
- 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar or maple syrup. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, almond flour, tapioca starch, and salt. Mix well to ensure the flours and starch are evenly distributed.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the olive oil and apple cider vinegar to the activated yeast mixture, stirring to combine.
Form the Dough: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until a dough forms. The dough should be sticky but hold together.
Knead the Dough: If the dough is too sticky to handle, add a little more gluten-free flour blend, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is manageable. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 3–5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 245°C and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
Shape the Dough: Roll out the risen dough on a piece of parchment paper to your desired thickness. If the dough is too sticky, lightly dust it with an additional gluten-free flour blend.
Bake the Crust: Transfer the rolled-out dough (with parchment paper) onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the crust is firm and lightly golden.
Add Toppings and Bake Again: Remove the crust from the oven, add your sauce, vegan cheese, and toppings. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the toppings are cooked to your liking.
Cool and Serve: Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing. Enjoy your gluten-free vegan cheesy pizza!
This gluten-free crust is a delicious and satisfying alternative to traditional pizza dough, perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or anyone looking to try something new!
As you savor the last bite of your homemade vegan cheesy pizza, you’ll not only appreciate the delicious flavors and satisfying textures but also the joy of creating a meal that aligns with your values and dietary preferences. From the crispy, golden crust to the rich, melty vegan cheese and vibrant array of toppings, this pizza is a testament to how satisfying and indulgent plant-based cooking can be. Whether you’re a long-time vegan or simply exploring new culinary adventures, this recipe is a reminder that great pizza can be enjoyed by everyone. Share it with friends and family, and relish in the smiles and compliments that are sure to follow. Happy pizza making!
FAQs
How to Store Leftover Pizza?
Cool the Pizza: Allow the pizza to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation inside the storage container, which can make the crust soggy.
For Short-Term Storage in the Refrigerator: Place the pizza slices in a single layer between sheets of parchment paper or wax paper. Stack the slices if necessary, but ensure they are separated by the paper to prevent sticking.
Transfer the slices to an airtight container or cover them tightly with plastic wrap.
Store the covered or wrapped pizza in the refrigerator. It should be eaten within 2–3 days for the best taste and quality.
How to Reheat Leftover Pizza?
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 190°C. Place the pizza slices on a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
Skillet Method: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place the pizza slice in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5–8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
How to Freeze Pizza Dough?
Prepare the Dough: Follow the instructions for preparing your pizza dough, including the first rise.
Divide and Shape the Dough: After the dough has completed its first rise and has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into the portion sizes you want (typically one portion per pizza).
Shape the Dough: Shape each portion into a ball. Lightly coat each dough ball with olive oil to prevent sticking and drying out during freezing.
Wrap the Dough: Wrap each dough ball tightly in plastic wrap. Ensure there are no air pockets. Alternatively, place each dough ball in an airtight freezer bag, squeezing out any excess air before sealing.
Label and Date: Label each wrapped dough ball with the date and portion size. This helps you keep track of how long the dough has been frozen.
Freeze: Place the wrapped dough balls in the freezer. They can be stored for up to 3 months.
How to Thaw and Use Frozen Pizza Dough?
Thaw the Dough: Remove the dough from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 8–12 hours) to thaw slowly. For a quicker thaw, you can leave the dough at room temperature for about 2–3 hours, though the slower thawing method in the fridge yields better results.
Second Rise: Once the dough is fully thawed, let it come to room temperature if it was thawed in the fridge. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and cover it with a damp kitchen towel. Let it rest and rise for about 30–60 minutes, or until it has puffed up slightly.
Prepare for Baking: Proceed with rolling out the dough, adding your sauce, cheese, and toppings, and baking according to your pizza recipe.
Freezing pizza dough is a convenient way to have homemade dough ready for quick weeknight dinners or impromptu pizza cravings!