Frederic Melton
There are many different ways to make a veggie pizza, and the answer to the question do you put cheese on veggie pizza? depends on the type of pizza you want to make. For example, some recipes call for a combination of melty mozzarella, funky Asiago, and salty pecorino, while others suggest using a creamy garlicky cheese spread made from cream cheese, sour cream, and seasonings. There are also recipes that recommend using shredded cheese, such as sharp cheddar, or a simple sprinkling of Parmesan. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include cheese on a veggie pizza comes down to personal preference and the specific recipe being followed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Mozzarella, Asiago, Pecorino, Parmesan, Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt, Cheddar, Shredded Cheese |
| Base | Pizza Sauce, San Marzano Tomatoes, Garlic, Oregano, Olive Oil, Salt, Ranch Dressing, Pesto |
| Toppings | Spinach, Artichoke, Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Tomatoes, Olives, Almonds, Basil, Red Pepper Flakes, Mushrooms, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Green Pepper, Red Pepper, Yellow Pepper, Orange Pepper, Green Onions, Black Olives, Arugula, Jalapeno, Roasted Red Peppers, Artichoke Hearts |
| Dough | Pizza Dough, Crescent Dough, Whole Wheat Pizza Dough, Naan |
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What You'll Learn
The type of cheese to use
When it comes to the type of cheese to use on a veggie pizza, there are several options to choose from, each offering a unique flavour and texture. Here are some popular choices:
Mozzarella, Asiago and Pecorino
The combination of mozzarella, Asiago, and pecorino cheeses is a favourite among many pizza enthusiasts. Melty mozzarella provides a creamy texture, while Asiago adds a funky twist, and salty pecorino gives a sharp, savoury kick. This trio creates a delightful blend of flavours and textures that complement the freshness of vegetables.
Parmesan
Parmesan cheese is a popular choice for veggie pizzas, especially as a finishing touch. Its sharp, nutty flavour and crumbly texture add a distinctive character to the pizza. Grated or shaved Parmesan can be sprinkled over the pizza after baking, adding a layer of savoury complexity to the overall taste.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is often used as a base or spread for veggie pizzas, especially those served cold. It provides a rich, creamy texture and a mild, tangy flavour that pairs well with fresh vegetables. Cream cheese can be seasoned with garlic, dill, onion powder, and other spices to create a savoury spread reminiscent of ranch dressing.
Cheddar
Sharp cheddar cheese is another option for veggie pizzas, adding a bold, sharp flavour. Shredded cheddar can be sprinkled over the pizza, and since it is not typically melted, store-bought shreds can be used for convenience. However, shredding a block of cheese yourself may result in a better mouthfeel.
Other Cheeses
Veggie pizzas can also be made with other cheeses such as feta, goat cheese, or a blend of shredded pizza cheeses. Some people even use sour cream, Greek yogurt, or ricotta cheese for a unique twist, creating a creamy base with a tangy flavour.
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The best vegetables to use
When it comes to the best vegetables to use on your veggie pizza, the options are endless! You can truly customise your pizza with an array of colourful, crunchy veggies.
Firstly, let's talk about the classic veggie pizza toppings. These include bell peppers, artichokes, red onions, spinach, tomatoes, and olives. These vegetables provide a great mix of flavours and textures, and they pair well with a variety of cheeses and sauces.
If you're looking for something a little more unique, you can experiment with other vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, and mushrooms. These veggies add a nice crunch and a boost of nutrition to your pizza. You can also try mixing things up with sliced almonds, jalapeños, or arugula for an extra kick of flavour and texture.
For a more indulgent option, roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts are a delicious choice, adding a tangy, briny flavour to your pizza. If you're a fan of spice, you can even add red pepper flakes to your pizza after it bakes.
Lastly, don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different combinations of vegetables. You can try using shredded carrots, green onions, radishes, celery, or black olives. Remember, the key to a great veggie pizza is to ensure your vegetables are completely dry before topping your pizza to prevent the crust from getting soggy.
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How to prepare the dough
Preparing the dough for a veggie pizza is a simple process that requires just a few basic ingredients and tools. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the dough for your veggie pizza:
Ingredients:
First, gather your ingredients. For the dough, you will need flour (all-purpose or bread flour), water, olive oil, salt, sugar, yeast, and garlic powder. You can also add cornmeal for preparing the pan, but it is optional. The exact quantities of each ingredient will depend on how much dough you want to make and your personal preferences. A good starting point is 500 ml (2 cups) of water, 800-900g (5.5 – 6 cups) of flour, 4 tablespoons of olive oil, 2-3 teaspoons of salt, 1-2 teaspoons of sugar, 1 pack of dried yeast, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Mixing and Kneading:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients, including the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, and garlic powder. Stir them together to ensure they are well mixed. Next, create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and slowly add the water and olive oil. Mix everything until a soft dough forms. You can use a wooden spoon, a silicone spatula, or your hands for this process. Once the dough comes together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for a few seconds. The dough should be soft, elastic, and slightly sticky.
Rising:
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rest in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size. This usually takes about 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the room temperature. If you want to slow down the rising process, you can place the dough in the refrigerator, but this will increase the rise time to 8-12 hours.
Shaping:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough in half if you plan to make two pizzas. Otherwise, you can freeze half of the dough for later use. On a lightly floured surface, use your hands or a rolling pin to gently flatten the dough into a disc. Stretch and flatten the disc to your desired thickness and size, usually about 12 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. If the dough shrinks back, let it rest for a few minutes before trying again. Shape the edges by lifting them up and pinching them to create a lip or rim.
Baking:
Preheat your oven to the desired temperature, typically between 425-500 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on your recipe and oven. Prepare your baking pan or stone by lightly coating it with cornmeal or nonstick spray. Place the shaped dough on the prepared pan and let it rest for a few minutes while you prepare your toppings. Bake the dough according to your recipe's instructions, keeping in mind that thinner crusts will cook faster than thicker ones. For a fully baked crust, bake it until it is golden brown and cooked through, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
Preparing the dough for your veggie pizza is a fun and rewarding process that will make your pizza experience even more delicious and satisfying. Enjoy crafting your dough and creating a mouthwatering veggie pizza!
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How long to bake the pizza for
The baking time for pizza varies depending on the type of pizza you are making, the temperature of the oven, and your personal preference for how well-done you like your pizza.
If you are making a veggie pizza with a crescent dough base, you should bake the crust for 13 to 17 minutes until it is golden brown, and then let it cool before adding toppings. If you are using a baking stone or steel, you should preheat your oven to its highest temperature for about an hour, and then bake the pizza for around 10 minutes at 550 degrees Fahrenheit. For a conventional oven, preheat to 200 degrees Celsius or gas mark 6, and then bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
If you are baking two pizzas, you should bake them individually for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. For a thicker crust, you may want to pre-bake the base for 2-3 minutes before adding toppings.
The type of cheese you use will also affect the baking time. For example, fresh mozzarella takes longer to brown than low-moisture mozzarella. Therefore, you may want to bake the pizza for 7 minutes if using fresh mozzarella, and only 5 minutes for low-moisture mozzarella.
Ultimately, the baking time will depend on your personal preference. Some people like to bake their pizza until they can smell it in the next room (about 15 minutes), while others prefer to wait until the crust reaches a certain shade of brown.
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Other toppings to add
There are endless combinations of vegetables and other toppings to add to a veggie pizza. The most popular vegetables include bell peppers, artichokes, spinach, red onions, tomatoes, and olives. Other vegetables that can be used include mushrooms, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, celery, and green onions.
Some recipes call for a creamy base made from seasoned sour cream and cream cheese, with added garlic powder, dill weed, and ranch seasoning. This can be spread over the crust before adding the vegetables.
Other toppings that can be added to a veggie pizza include:
- Sliced almonds, for a toasty flavor and crunch
- Fresh basil leaves
- Red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
- Arugula
- Jalapeños
- Roasted red peppers
- Mozzarella cheese
- Asiago cheese
- Pecorino cheese
- Pesto
- Sliced black olives
- Mini broccoli florets
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese is a great option to add to a veggie pizza. Some options include mozzarella, Asiago, pecorino, Parmesan, cheddar, and cream cheese.
There are endless combinations of vegetables to add to a veggie pizza. Some options include bell peppers, artichokes, red onions, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and cucumbers.
Some other toppings include sliced almonds, olives, basil, red pepper flakes, and jalapeños.
