Recipe for Homemade Vegetarian Pizza

As some of you may already know, I am doing a summer bucket list with my five-year-old daughter, Adriel, and anyone else who wants to join in. Her brother Alexander has eagerly joined us in checking off each activity. We don’t have a large family; most of my relatives have passed away. Now it’s just me and my four kids. Fortunately, my two adult children have found their life partners, and they often spend a lot of time with us doing various activities.

Recently, my son Noah and his girlfriend Lindsey discovered the homemade pizza-making activity on our summer bucket list and wanted to participate. They went to the store to get the ingredients and, once they returned, made the pizza with help from both Adriel and Alexander. It was a wonderful evening. The pizza turned out delicious, and everyone enjoyed spending time together doing something fun and constructive. Not only was it a productive activity, but it also provided a tasty meal for all of us.

However, some of us have dietary restrictions, including myself. As a vegetarian, I only consume eggs and milk from farms where animals are kept in healthy and humane conditions. I avoid factory-farmed products because of the poor treatment of animals. While I don’t consume a lot of eggs or milk, when I do, I ensure they come from sources that treat their animals well and are free of growth hormones or steroids.

Given that this was a pizza-making activity, which requires relatively few ingredients but is a lot of fun, I wanted to make sure I had a recipe that fit my vegetarian lifestyle. Therefore, I created a vegetarian pizza recipe that I’d like to share with all of you who are also vegetarians.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F or 45°C)
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt

For the Sauce:

• 1 cup canned tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Toppings:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup sliced red onions
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

Making the Dough:

1. Activate the Yeast:

• In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy.

1. Mix the Dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups of flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir together until a dough forms.

1. Knead the Dough:

• Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding more flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

1. First Rise:

• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Making the Sauce:

1. Prepare the Sauce:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
• Add the tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Assembling the Pizza:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well.

1. Prepare the Dough:

• Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal parts. Roll each part into a ball and let them rest for about 10 minutes.

1. Shape the Dough:

• On a floured surface, roll out each dough ball into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. If you prefer a thicker crust, you can roll it to a smaller diameter.

1. Add the Sauce:

• Place the rolled-out dough on a pizza peel dusted with flour or cornmeal (if using a pizza stone) or on a greased baking sheet. Spread a layer of the prepared sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.

1. Add the Cheese and Toppings:

• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. Add the sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, red onions, black olives, and cherry tomatoes.

1. Bake the Pizza:

• Carefully transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

1. Garnish and Serve:

• Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and red pepper flakes if desired. Slice and serve hot.

Enjoy your homemade vegetarian pizza!

I hope you take some extra time to enjoy with your family. While you’re at it, check out this recipe and make it for a snack. Have a great time!