Description

Ever wonder how to make a vegetarian pizza that’s so loaded with flavor it steals the show at pizza night? What if you could whip up a Vegetarian Pizza that earns a perfect 5-star rating from 12 happy eaters, yet takes just 25 minutes? This recipe’s your ticket to a veggie-packed meal that’s perfect for family dinners, game nights, or impressing friends

Ingredients

Scale

Let’s dive into the ingredients that make this Vegetarian Pizza so irresistible. Each one brings flavor or texture, and I’ll share why they’re key, plus swaps for flexibility. Most are pantry staples or easy to find.

1 pound pizza dough: The crispy, chewy foundation. Sub: Store-bought dough, gluten-free dough, or homemade (recipe noted). 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.
Cornmeal, for the baking sheet: Prevents sticking and adds crunch. Sub: Flour or parchment paper.
1 cup shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese: Melty, stretchy base. Sub: Full-fat mozzarella or vegan mozzarella.
½ cup shredded Asiago cheese: Nutty, sharp depth. Sub: Parmesan, Romano, or extra mozzarella (vegan options for plant-based).
½ cup shredded pecorino cheese (large holes of a box grater): Salty, tangy kick. Sub: More Asiago, Parmesan, or nutritional yeast for vegan.
⅔ cup pizza sauce: Rich, tomatoey base. Sub: Marinara, crushed tomatoes, or pesto for a twist.
½ small red onion, thinly sliced: Sharp, colorful crunch. Sub: Yellow onion or pickled red onions.
2 jarred roasted red peppers, drained, patted dry, and thinly sliced: Sweet, smoky flavor. Sub: Fresh bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes.
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, patted dry, and quartered or coarsely chopped: Tender, tangy addition. Sub: Marinated artichokes or sautéed mushrooms.
1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced, optional: Subtle heat. Sub: Banana peppers for milder or skip.
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling: Enhances flavor and browning. Sub: Avocado oil.
Red pepper flakes, optional: Adds a spicy kick. Sub: Chili oil or skip.
Fresh basil leaves: Aromatic, summery finish. Sub: Fresh oregano or parsley.

With about 12 ingredients, this pizza is simple yet vibrant. Quality cheese and fresh veggies make it a vegetarian star.

(Word count: ~400. Let’s cook!)

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Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Dough (5-10 Minutes)

If using store-bought 1 pound pizza dough, let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour to soften. If making homemade, prepare dough and let rise (see note above). Tip: Room-temp dough stretches easier.
Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) or as high as your oven goes. Sprinkle a large baking sheet with cornmeal to prevent sticking. Tip: Use parchment if you prefer less cleanup.
Place the dough on the baking sheet and stretch into a large oval (about 12-14 inches long). Tip: Stretch gently with your hands, not a rolling pin, for a chewy crust.

Step 2: Prep the Cheese and Toppings (5 Minutes)

In a small bowl, mix 1 cup shredded mozzarella, ½ cup shredded Asiago, and ½ cup shredded pecorino (use large holes of a box grater for pecorino). Tip: Mixing cheeses ensures even melting.
Thinly slice ½ small red onion, 2 jarred roasted red peppers (drained and patted dry), and 1 jalapeño (if using). Drain and pat dry 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, then quarter or coarsely chop. Wash fresh basil leaves and set aside.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake (10-13 Minutes)

Spread ⅔ cup pizza sauce evenly over the stretched dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Tip: Use the back of a spoon for an even layer.
Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the sauce. Top with red onion, roasted red peppers, artichokes, and jalapeño (if using). Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.
Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until the crust is browned around the edges and the cheese and toppings are lightly browned. Tip: Check at 10 minutes—ovens vary.

Step 4: Serve (2 Minutes)

Remove the pizza from the oven. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes (if desired) and top with fresh basil leaves.
Slice into 8 pieces (or as desired) and serve immediately.

(Word count: ~750. Time to serve!)