Indulge in the vibrant flavors of a garden with these delightful veggie pizza squares. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend treat, this recipe combines a crispy crust with a medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. It's a delicious and healthy way to enjoy pizza, and it's entirely vegan!
If you don't usually keep vegan cheese at home, you might need to pick some up at the supermarket. Look for it in the dairy-free or plant-based section. Additionally, make sure you have dried oregano and dried basil in your spice cabinet, as these herbs add essential flavor to the pizza.
Ingredients for Garden Veggie Pizza Squares
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.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
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.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
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.
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How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
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.
How to Reheat Leftovers
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.
Best Tools for This Recipe
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.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
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.
Garden Veggie Pizza Squares
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 package Pizza dough store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup Tomato sauce
- 1 cup Vegan cheese shredded
- 1 cup Bell peppers sliced
- 1 cup Mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup Red onion sliced
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Roll out the pizza dough on a baking sheet.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle the vegan cheese over the sauce.
- Top with bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onion.
- Sprinkle dried oregano and basil on top.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the crust is golden and the veggies are tender.
- Let cool slightly before cutting into squares. Serve warm.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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