Description
This Ultimate Veggie Pizza is a flavorful homemade pizza topped with sautéed cremini mushrooms, artichoke hearts, roasted red bell peppers, red onion, black olives, and plenty of mozzarella cheese. Baked on a hot pizza stone for a crisp, golden crust, it’s perfect for veggie lovers craving a delicious, hearty pizza made from scratch.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough & Sauce
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1 cup pizza sauce
Toppings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cups shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup jarred or canned artichoke hearts, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup jarred roasted red bell peppers, cut into thin strips
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pizza Stone: Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat it to 500°F (260°C) at least 30 minutes before baking to ensure it is thoroughly heated for a perfect crispy crust.
- Prepare Dough and Sauce: Use homemade or store-bought pizza dough and sauce. Divide the 1-pound dough into two even balls and let them rest on a lightly floured surface while preparing toppings.
- Sauté Mushrooms: Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until tender and golden brown. Stir in minced garlic during the last minute. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Get Other Toppings Ready: Have the artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, red onion, olives, and shredded mozzarella cheese prepared and nearby for assembling the pizza quickly.
- Prepare Work Surface: Lightly flour a pizza peel or, if unavailable, the back of a rimmed or rimless baking sheet, to prevent sticking during transfer.
- Shape the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, take one dough ball and gently press and stretch it into a 10 to 12-inch circle without overstretching.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread half of the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then layer with half the sautéed mushrooms, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, red onion, and black olives.
- Transfer to Oven: Quickly slide the assembled pizza onto the preheated pizza stone using the pizza peel to ensure it doesn’t stick.
- Bake the Pizza: Bake for 8 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the crust is golden brown and crisp.
- Prepare Second Pizza: While the first pizza bakes, assemble the second pizza following the same steps. Remove the first pizza from the oven once done, then immediately transfer the second pizza to bake.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish pizzas with fresh basil leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, and finely grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Slice and serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Using a pizza stone and preheating it well is key to achieving a crispy crust.
- Sautéing mushrooms before adding to the pizza prevents excess moisture that can make the crust soggy.
- Stretch the dough gently to maintain its elasticity and avoid tearing.
- You can customize the toppings by adding your favorite veggies or proteins.
- Use part-skim mozzarella to reduce fat content without compromising meltability.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
