These satisfying vegetarian pizza recipes prove that you don't need meat to enjoy a delicious pie.
16 Tasty Vegetarian Pizza Recipes That Put Pepperoni to Shame
Updated on Oct. 23, 2024
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Zucchini Crust Pizza
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Zucchini, mozzarella, tomatoes
Level: Intermediate
Besides the veggie toppings, this pizza also has a veggie crust! This zucchini crust pizza is full of nutritious ingredients you can feel good about.
“My mother-in-law shared the recipe for this unique pizza with me. It’s just right for brunch, lunch or a light supper. Loosen the nutritious zucchini crust from the pan with a metal spatula.” —Recipe Contributor Ruth Denomme, Englehart, Ontario
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Grilled Veggie Pizza
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Prebaked pizza crust, pizza sauce, mozzarella, vegetables
Level: Intermediate
Grilling pizza instead of baking it adds a touch of charred flavor that is so satisfying in the summer. This loaded veggie pie recipe calls for prebaked whole-wheat pizza crust, but feel free to use your favorite store-bought pizza crust. Finish the pizza with a swirl of basil pesto for extra herby goodness.
“I have four gardens and, between them, I grow a pretty good spread of veggies. I created this loaded-up pizza as a fun summer appetizer using some of my best garden goodies.” —Recipe contributor Dianna Wara, Washington, Illinois
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New York-Style Pizza
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Yeast, flour, tomato sauce, mozzarella
Level: Intermediate
As far as regional pizzas go, New York-style pizza is defined by its thin, floppy crust and extra-large size. This tasty version with homemade dough is wonderful as is, or as a white pizza with no tomato sauce and more cheese, like fresh ricotta and mozzarella.
“This is a no-nonsense pizza. Since the crust is pliable enough to fold, cut the pie into larger pieces if you want to eat your slices in the traditional New York way. Who says pizza isn’t portable?” —Recipe contributor Mariam Ishaq, Buffalo, New York
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White Pizza
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Pizza dough, ricotta, mozzarella, garlic
Level: Intermediate
The key to the perfect white pizza is high-quality cheese and loads of aromatic garlic. Without tomato sauce, olive oil plays a bigger role in the pie’s flavor, so splurge on the best extra-virgin olive oil you can get your hands on. For side dishes, the lighter the better: any peppery arugula salad will complement the pizza’s richness.
“You’ll feel like you’re in a pizzeria when you serve up this white pizza. Garnish the top with fresh arugula or basil for a pop of flavor and color.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Pesto Flatbread
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Frozen bread dough, Parmesan, pesto, mozzarella
Level: Beginner
If it’s summer and you’re surrounded by fragrant basil, make homemade pesto to spread atop this crowd-pleasing flatbread, which is a delicious canvas for grilled veggies, chopped olives and luscious cheeses like burrata. Serve the pie with a summer salad or a refreshing no-cook summer side.
“Knead basil, oregano and Parmesan cheese into packaged bread dough for a full-flavored crust. Prepared pesto keeps this pizza big on taste and convenience.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Spinach Pizza
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Pizza crust mix, Alfredo, spinach, Italian cheese blend
Level: Beginner
Creamy premade Alfredo is the pizza sauce you’ve been missing your whole life! With delicate baby spinach and chopped tomatoes, this cheesy Alfredo pie is the ultimate easy comfort food recipe. Top with chopped artichoke hearts for some extra pizazz.
“Looking for a fun twist on a traditional favorite? Veggies and Alfredo sauce add dimension to simple pizza.” —Recipe contributor Dawn Bartholomew, Raleigh, North Carolina
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Loaded Mexican Pizza
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Black beans, prebaked pizza crust, cheddar cheese
Level: Beginner
Serve this zesty, black bean-topped pizza with pico de gallo or guacamole on the side. And next, try more taco-inspired recipes that don’t call for tortillas.
“My husband is a picky eater, but this healthy pizza has such amazing flavor that he looks forward to it. Leftovers taste even better the next day.” —Recipe contributor Mary Barker, Knoxville, Tennessee
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Pizza Margherita
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Yeast, diced tomatoes, mozzarella
Level: Intermediate
If you want to impress a crowd, homemade margherita pizza is your surest bet—as long as you follow these chef-approved tips for making perfect pizza. This dough recipe is also perfect for making stromboli and calzones, so it’s a useful one to memorize.
“This classic pie starts with a chewy homemade crust, then is topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, oregano and fresh basil. It’s so scrumptious!” —Recipe contributor Loretta Lawrence, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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Italian-Style Pizzas
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Mini pizza crusts, pesto, mozzarella, mushrooms
Level: Beginner
Load up these party-friendly mini pizzas with any of the best pizza toppings and prepare for the compliments to roll in. If you can’t find mini crusts, these can also be made with packaged pita bread or naan.
“With prepared pesto and pizza crusts, these tasty pizzas come together faster than delivery! I like to serve these slices with a salad and fresh fruit.” —Recipe contributor Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Greek Pizza
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Prebaked pizza crust, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, olives, spinach
Level: Beginner
The colorful (and super savory) combo of crumbly feta, briny olives and sun-dried tomatoes makes for the ultimate Mediterranean-inspired pie. Cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers and pepperoncini are all great additional toppings for this pizza. Opt for marinated olives for extra zestiness.
“I visited the Greek island of Corfu more than 20 years ago and wanted to create a pizza inspired by the delicious salads I enjoyed there. This recipe is loaded with many of those same ingredients and is so easy to prepare.” —Recipe contributor Amanda Cooke, Los Angeles, California
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Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Total Time: 1 hourMain Ingredients: Cauliflower, Parmesan, egg
Level: Intermediate
Golden, cheesy cauliflower crust lets the gluten-free crowd enjoy delicious pizza without any of the flour. Most supermarkets now stock premade cauliflower crust as well, but this homemade version has extra nutty goodness from lots of Parmesan and Italian herbs.
“Make your next pizza night a little healthier with this recipe. The herbs and cheese add a ton of flavor to the pizza crust!” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Shakshuka Breakfast Pizza
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Frozen pizza dough, eggs, feta, tomatoes
Level: Beginner
Shakshuka is a richly spiced dish of eggs poached in an aromatic tomato sauce, and this recipe proves it also works exceptionally well in breakfast pizza format. Serve this at your next brunch party alongside fresh fruit and a pitcher of mimosas.
“I turned traditional shakshuka into a fun brunch pizza. Its sweet, spicy and crunchy ingredients make it perfect for morning, noon or night.” —Recipe contributor Phillipe Sobon, Harwood Heights, Illinois
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Mushroom Pizza
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Mushrooms, gruyere, cream cheese, yeast
Level: Intermediate
Earthy mushrooms were made for this elegant white pizza that features three types of cheeses: Gruyere, Parmesan and cream cheese. Mix and match your favorite mushroom varieties and don’t forget the fresh herbs—we recommend chopped fresh rosemary, sage or chives.
“What’s great about this wild mushroom pizza is you don’t need to worry about finding the right toppings. Whatever wild mushrooms are in season or at your market will work beautifully. I like to get as many different ones as possible.” —Recipe contributor James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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Pizza Caprese
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Pizza crust mix, mozzarella, basil
Level: Beginner
Make this simple and satisfying pizza with prebaked crust, packaged naan or even French bread! And try some more cheesy Caprese recipes that riff on the classic Italian salad.
“One of my favorite pizzas is so simple to make and comes together so quickly. Pizza caprese is simply heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and really good extra virgin olive oil. I could have this every day!” —Recipe contributor Beth Berlin, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
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Vegan Pizza
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Pizza dough, tomatoes, vegetables
Level: Intermediate
Who says you need dairy to enjoy a delicious pizza? This packed vegan pizza boasts a crackling homemade crust and colorful roasted vegetables. If you like, use any of the great vegan cheeses now available at the supermarket.
“Pizza is the perfect party food, since it can be customized to anyone’s taste. Make the recipe as written, or add your favorite toppings to all or part of the pie!” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Flatbread Pizza
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Yeast, flour, pizza sauce, mozzarella
Level: Beginner
Even if you’re intimidated by making homemade dough, you’ll love this one that comes together in just 30 minutes—including rise time. Plus, it calls for the all-purpose flour you already have in the pantry and a package of quick-rise yeast. Be careful not to load the crust with too much sauce so it doesn’t get soggy.
“I have been making this recipe for years to make homemade calzones, pizza and grilled flatbread pizza. It always comes out perfectly and doubles and triples well. This batch will make one large pizza or two to three calzones.” —Recipe contributor Patricia Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
Vegetarian Pizza FAQ
What are the best toppings for a vegetarian pizza?
Some of the most classic vegetarian pizza toppings are sliced mushrooms, olives, bell peppers and onions, but just about any vegetable under the sun is great on a pizza—especially grilled vegetables. Of course, your classic margherita pizza is already a wonderful vegetarian pizza, with its tomato sauce, melted mozzarella and basil.
How do I make an Italian vegetarian pizza?
Pizza as we know it today originated in Naples, Italy, and the first pies were entirely vegetarian: tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. The margherita is the most classic Italian vegetarian pizza, but other popular ones across Italy include quattro formaggi (four cheese) and bufalina, a margherita pie made with buffalo mozzerella cheese.
What do I put on vegetarian pizza instead of meat?
If you’re looking for vegetarian toppings that come close to the heartiness of meat, we like savory mushrooms and plant-based meat substitutes like vegetarian sausage or “meat” crumbles. Here’s how to create umami flavor in plant-based dishes to match that spectactular flavor of classic meat options like sausage, bacon or chicken.
