Pizza: The Perfect Vehicle for Veggies
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Eating healthily and eating what you crave don’t have to be mutually exclusive. You can get your nutrients and have your pizza too.
My philosophy on healthy eating is actually fairly simple, and it starts with the foundation of eating a lot more fruits and vegetables. Not only does this take the guesswork out of all the trendy new diets popping up every other week, but it helps prevent chronic disease and is a failproof way to aid weight loss or management (read more here).
This post is the fourth in a series of unique, creative, and delicious veggie-based versions of foods you already love, including tacos and quesadillas. Plus a list of unique vegetarian recipes. Read on to learn how pizza can be the perfect vehicle for vegetables!
You’ll notice some similarities in these posts in terms of combos, which proves my point that you can use your favorite types of foods as a way to get more produce into your gullet!
First two notes:
Crust:
I recommend cauliflower crust, a higher protein/lower carb crust, or whole wheat crust. You can certainly do regular crust, but that just has less nutrients. (However, if you’re using this to get kids to eat more veggies, this is probably your best bet!) You can use any of these for any of the options, but for some of them I specifically suggested certain crusts because they match the toppings particularly well.
Protein:
These don’t have to be vegetarian – the point of these recipes is start with a slice loaded with produce. You can add chicken or get a little fancy with shrimp or prosciutto. Always start with the veggies, then go from there!
Mediterranean Pizza:
Sauce: Olive oil and garlic base or marinara
Toppings: Cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, red onion, feta cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano.
Mexican Pizza (not like the one at Taco Bell):
Sauce: Salsa or enchilada sauce
Toppings: Black beans, corn kernels, diced red onion, bell pepper strips, avocado slices, and a sprinkle of Mexican blend cheese.
Greek Goddess Pizza:
Sauce: Tzatziki sauce
Toppings: Spinach, roasted red peppers, cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onion, and crumbled feta.
Thai Peanut Veggie Pizza:
Sauce: Thai peanut sauce
Toppings: Broccoli florets, red bell pepper strips, shredded carrots, sliced red onion, and chopped cilantro.
Indian-Inspired Veggie Pizza:
Base: Naan bread
Sauce: Tikka masala or curry sauce
Toppings: Paneer cubes (or mozzarella balls if you can’t find paneer), bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro.
Pesto Primavera Pizza:
Sauce: Basil pesto
Toppings: Zucchini ribbons, cherry tomatoes, yellow bell pepper slices, baby spinach, and pine nuts.
Roasted Veggie and Hummus Pizza:
Sauce: Roasted garlic hummus
Toppings: Roasted eggplant, zucchini, red onion, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
Caprese Style Pesto Pizza:
Sauce: Basil pesto
Toppings: Sliced fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze after baking.
Spinach and Artichoke Pizza:
Sauce: Creamy spinach and artichoke dip or ricotta cheese
Toppings: Fresh spinach, marinated artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Indian-Inspired Veggie Pizza:
Base: Naan bread
Sauce: Tikka masala or curry sauce
Toppings: Paneer cubes (or mozzarella balls if you can’t find paneer), bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro.
Rainbow Veggie Explosion Pizza:
Sauce: Roasted garlic and sun-dried tomato pesto
Toppings: Colorful bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, shredded purple cabbage, broccoli florets, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.
Brussels Sprouts and Caramelized Onion Pizza:
Sauce: Balsamic glaze reduction and ricotta
Toppings: Roasted Brussels sprouts leaves, caramelized red onions, sliced apple, and crumbled blue cheese.
Apple and Butternut Squash Pizza:
Sauce: Sage-infused olive oil and pureed roasted butternut squash
Toppings: Thinly sliced apples, caramelized onions, sage leaves, and crumbled goat cheese.
Cilantro-Lime Fiesta Pizza:
Sauce: Cilantro-lime crema
Toppings: Black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, red onion, avocado slices, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese.
Beet and Goat Cheese Pizza:
Sauce: Balsamic reduction drizzle
Toppings: Roasted beets, goat cheese, arugula, and walnuts.
Blueberry Balsamic Bliss Pizza:
Sauce: Blueberry balsamic reduction
Toppings: Goat cheese, caramelized onions, fresh blueberries, arugula, and a drizzle of honey.
Sushi-inspired Veggie Roll Pizza:
Sauce: Soy-ginger glaze
Toppings: Thinly sliced cucumber, avocado, julienned carrots, pickled radishes, and sesame seeds.
Buffalo Cauliflower Wing Pizza:
Base: Cauliflower crust
Sauce: Spicy buffalo sauce
Toppings: Roasted buffalo cauliflower, celery slices, vegan ranch drizzle, and chopped green onions.
Pumpkin Veggie Delight Pizza:
Sauce: Pumpkin puree with a hint of cinnamon
Toppings: Roasted Brussels sprouts, candied pecans, cranberries, and cream cheese.
Apple and Caramelized Onion Gorgonzola Pizza:
Sauce: Caramelized onion and apple compote
Toppings: Sliced apples, crumbled gorgonzola cheese, arugula, chopped walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
Jalapeño Popper Pizza:
Sauce: Cream cheese and jalapeño spread
Toppings: Sliced jalapeños, diced bell peppers, bacon bits, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper.
Mango BBQ Pizza:
Sauce: Mango barbecue sauce
Toppings: Sliced mango, red onion, black beans, corn kernels, and cilantro. Add a sprinkle of vegan cheese.
Avocado and Asparagus Pizza:
Sauce: Avocado crema
Toppings: Roasted asparagus spears, cherry tomatoes, arugula, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Sundried Tomato and Spinach Pesto Pizza:
Sauce: Sundried tomato and spinach pesto
Toppings: Sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, black olives, artichoke hearts, and vegan mozzarella.
Wasabi and Ginger Green Goddess Pizza:
Sauce: Wasabi mayo
Toppings: Edamame beans, pickled ginger, sliced avocado, and sesame seeds.
Mediterranean Pizza:
Sauce: Hummus spread
Toppings: Cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion, Kalamata olives, and baby spinach.
Cauliflower Alfredo Veggie Delight:
Base: Cauliflower crust
Sauce: Alfredo sauce
Toppings: Broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and artichoke hearts.
Curry Cauliflower Crust Pizza:
Base: Cauliflower crust
Sauce: Yellow curry coconut sauce
Toppings: Curry-roasted cauliflower florets, sliced red bell pepper, red onion, and fresh cilantro.
Truffle Mushroom Pizza:
Sauce: Truffle-infused olive oil
Toppings: Sautéed mixed mushrooms (shiitake, cremini, and oyster), caramelized onions, arugula, and shaved Parmesan.
Sweet Potato and Kale Harvest Pizza:
Sauce: Roasted sweet potato puree
Toppings: Sautéed kale, caramelized onions, roasted butternut squash, and goat cheese.
BBQ Veggie Pizza:
Sauce: Smoky barbecue sauce
Toppings: Red onion, bell peppers, corn, black beans, and vegan cheddar cheese.
Eggplant Caponata Pizza:
Sauce: Marinara
Toppings: Grilled eggplant, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and black olives.
Zoodle Pesto Veggie Pizza:
Sauce: Basil pesto
Toppings: Cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, zoodles, pine nuts, and arugula.
Spicy Sriracha Veggie Pizza:
Sauce: Sriracha and tomato sauce
Toppings: Jalapeños, red onion, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
Broccoli and Cheddar Pizza:
Sauce: Marinara
Toppings: Broccoli florets, red onion, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
Mexican Street Corn Pizza:
Sauce: Chipotle lime crema
Toppings: Grilled corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and cotija cheese.
Cabbage and Carrot Slaw Pizza:
Sauce: Garlic tahini dressing
Toppings: Shredded cabbage and carrot slaw, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and sesame seeds.
These veggie pizzas not only offer a burst of flavors but also provide a substantial serving of vegetables for a wholesome and satisfying meal. Enjoy experimenting with these unique combinations - let me know if I missed your favorite!
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