Description
Ever wonder how to make a vegan pizza so delicious it rivals any cheesy classic? What if you could whip up a Best Vegan Pizza that earns a perfect 5-star rating from 32 happy eaters, yet takes just 35 minutes? This recipe’s your ticket to a plant-based meal that’s perfect for pizza nights, casual dinners, or impressing friends
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pizza
- 1 pound pizza dough, store-bought or homemade: The crispy, chewy base. Sub: Gluten-free dough or cauliflower crust. Quick homemade dough: Mix 2½ cups flour, 1 tbsp yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp olive oil, and ¾ cup warm water; knead, rise for 1 hour.
- 1 small head broccoli, florets chopped into small pieces, top of stalk diced (½ cup): Tender, roasted crunch. Sub: Cauliflower, zucchini, or asparagus.
- â…“ cup halved cherry tomatoes: Sweet, juicy pops. Sub: Diced regular tomatoes or roasted red peppers.
- Kernels from 1 ear fresh corn: Sweet, summery texture. Sub: Frozen or canned corn (drained).
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped red onion: Sharp, colorful bite. Sub: Yellow onion or pickled red onions.
- ½ jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced: Subtle heat. Sub: Banana peppers for milder or skip.
- 4 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, diced: Intense, tangy flavor. Sub: Roasted red peppers or olives.
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling and brushing: Enhances flavor and browning. Sub: Avocado oil.
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper: Brings flavors together.
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves: Aromatic, summery finish. Sub: Parsley or oregano.
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves: Earthy, herbal depth. Sub: 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional spicy kick. Sub: Chili oil or skip.
For the Cashew Cream
- ½ cup raw cashews, soaked 4 hours or overnight: Creamy, cheesy base. Sub: Blanched almonds or silken tofu.
- ½ cup water: Thins to a drizzleable consistency. Sub: Plant-based milk for creamier texture.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Bright, tangy lift. Sub: Apple cider vinegar.
- 1 garlic clove: Savory depth. Sub: ¼ tsp garlic powder.
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt: Enhances flavor. Adjust to taste.
- Quick method: Blend soaked cashews, water, lemon juice, garlic, and salt until smooth. Thin with water if needed.
With about 13 ingredients, this pizza is simple yet vibrant. Fresh veggies and cashew cream make it a vegan star.
(Word count: ~400. Let’s cook!)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Veggies (10 Minutes)
- In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup chopped broccoli florets and diced stalk, ⅓ cup halved cherry tomatoes, kernels from 1 ear fresh corn, ¼ cup coarsely chopped red onion, ½ jalapeño (thinly sliced), and 4 diced oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.
- Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper, and toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning to ensure the veggies are flavorful. Tip: Well-seasoned veggies make the pizza pop!
Step 2: Prep the Dough and Cashew Cream (8 Minutes)
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). If using store-bought 1 pound pizza dough, let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour to soften. If homemade, prepare and let rise (see note above).
- Stretch the dough onto a 14-inch pizza pan or baking sheet. Brush the outer edges lightly with olive oil for a golden crust. Tip: Stretch gently with your hands for a chewy texture.
- For cashew cream, blend ½ cup soaked cashews, ½ cup water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 garlic clove, and ¼ teaspoon sea salt until smooth. Thin with 1-2 tablespoons water if too thick. Set aside. Tip: Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake (15 Minutes)
- Spoon a few scoops of cashew cream onto the center of the dough and spread into a thin layer, leaving a ½-inch border. Tip: Don’t overload—less cream keeps the pizza light.
- Sprinkle the seasoned veggie mixture evenly over the cashew cream.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden, the broccoli is tender and roasted, and the veggies are lightly browned. Tip: Check at 12 minutes—ovens vary.
Step 4: Serve (2 Minutes)
- Remove the pizza from the oven. Drizzle generously with more cashew cream (thin with water if needed for drizzling). Tip: Warm the cashew cream slightly for easier drizzling.
- Top with ½ cup fresh basil leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Slice into 6-8 pieces and serve.
(Word count: ~750. Time to serve!)