Garden Veggie Pizza Squares Recipe

Pizza dough: The base of your pizza, which can be store-bought or homemade. Tomato sauce: Provides a rich and tangy layer of flavor. Vegan cheese: A dairy-free alternative that melts beautifully. Bell peppers: Adds a sweet and crunchy texture. Mushrooms: Brings an earthy flavor and meaty texture. Red onion: Offers a sharp and slightly sweet taste. Dried oregano: An aromatic herb that enhances the overall flavor. Dried basil: Adds a sweet and slightly peppery note.

When spreading the tomato sauce on the pizza dough, use the back of a spoon to create an even layer, ensuring that you leave a small border around the edges for a perfect crust. This will help prevent the sauce from spilling over and ensure that every bite has a balanced flavor.

• store-bought or homemade pizza dough - Substitute with cauliflower crust: Cauliflower crust is a great gluten-free and low-carb alternative to traditional pizza dough.

• tomato sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto sauce provides a fresh and herby flavor that complements the veggies well.

• shredded vegan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor and is rich in B vitamins, making it a healthy alternative.

• sliced bell peppers - Substitute with sliced zucchini: Zucchini offers a similar texture and a mild flavor that pairs well with other vegetables.

• sliced mushrooms - Substitute with artichoke hearts: Artichoke hearts provide a unique flavor and texture, adding variety to the pizza.

• sliced red onion - Substitute with sliced green onions: Green onions offer a milder flavor and a pop of color, enhancing the visual appeal of the pizza.

• dried oregano - Substitute with fresh oregano: Fresh oregano has a more vibrant flavor and aroma compared to dried oregano.

• dried basil - Substitute with fresh basil: Fresh basil leaves provide a more intense and aromatic flavor, elevating the overall taste of the pizza.

• Allow the Garden Veggie Pizza Squares to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the crust soggy.

• For short-term storage, place the cooled pizza squares in an airtight container. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• If you want to freeze the pizza squares, first line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the squares in a single layer on the sheet, ensuring they do not touch each other. Place the sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours, or until the squares are frozen solid.

• Once frozen, transfer the pizza squares to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label the container with the date and contents. The pizza squares can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

• To reheat refrigerated pizza squares, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the squares on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and the vegan cheese is melty.

• For frozen pizza squares, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the frozen squares on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and the crust is crispy.

• Alternatively, you can reheat individual squares in the microwave. Place a square on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Note that the crust may not be as crispy as when reheated in the oven.

• If you prefer a crispier crust, you can reheat the pizza squares in a skillet. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place a square in the skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the bottom is crispy and the vegan cheese is melted.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the vegan cheese from drying out. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the crust is crispy and the veggies are heated through.

• Toaster Oven Method: Set your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza squares directly on the rack or on a small baking tray. Heat for 8-10 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the crust doesn't burn. This method is great for a quick reheat while maintaining the crispiness of the crust.

• Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the pizza squares in the skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the vegan cheese is melted. This method helps to keep the crust crispy without drying out the toppings.

• Microwave Method: Place the pizza squares on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to prevent splattering. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Note that this method may result in a softer crust.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the pizza squares in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the veggies are heated through. This method is excellent for achieving a crispy crust quickly.

• Oven: Used to bake the pizza at the required temperature of 425°F (220°C).

• Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface to roll out the pizza dough and bake it.

• Rolling pin: Helps in evenly rolling out the pizza dough to the desired thickness.

• Spatula: Useful for spreading the tomato sauce evenly over the dough.

• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate measurement of ingredients like tomato sauce, vegan cheese, and sliced vegetables.

• Knife: Essential for slicing bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onions.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and clean surface for chopping vegetables.

• Cooling rack: Allows the pizza to cool slightly before cutting into squares.

• Pizza cutter: Makes it easy to cut the baked pizza into squares.

• Mixing bowl: Optional, but can be used to mix the sliced vegetables with the dried oregano and basil before topping the pizza.

Pre-chop vegetables: Slice bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onion in advance and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-made dough: Opt for store-bought pizza dough to save time on preparation.

Batch cook: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.

Preheat the oven: Ensure the oven is fully preheated to 425°F (220°C) before starting.

Organize ingredients: Lay out all ingredients before you begin to streamline the process.