Description
Veggie Delight Pizza brings colorful Mediterranean charm to your table with crisp crust and garden-fresh toppings. Layers of zucchini, bell peppers, and herbs create a light, flavorful experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1 pizza dough ball
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Vegetables:
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1 cup sliced zucchini
- 0.5 cup sliced red onions
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
- 0.25 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F, positioning the rack in the middle to ensure even heat distribution for a perfectly crisp pizza crust.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface, stretching it into a thin, even round shape approximately 12-14 inches in diameter.
- Brush the entire surface of the dough with olive oil, then sprinkle dried oregano evenly across the base, creating a flavorful foundation.
- Slice all vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and attractive presentation: bell peppers, zucchini, red onions, mushrooms, and halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Spread the sliced vegetables across the prepared dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Generously scatter minced garlic over the vegetables, followed by a layer of fresh spinach leaves.
- Liberally cover the vegetables with mozzarella cheese, ensuring even distribution, then dust with parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
- Season the pizza with salt and black pepper, providing a balanced seasoning profile.
- Transfer the pizza to a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese melts completely.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves, adding a vibrant, aromatic finish to the veggie pizza.
- Allow the pizza to cool for 2-3 minutes before slicing, which helps the cheese set and prevents burning.
Notes
- Prep Vegetables in Advance: Slice and chop all vegetables uniformly before starting to streamline the pizza assembly process and ensure even cooking.
- Moisture Management: Pat vegetables like zucchini and mushrooms dry with paper towels to prevent excess water from making the pizza crust soggy.
- Cheese Flexibility: Swap mozzarella with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cheese for vegan diets or use low-fat cheese for a lighter version.
- Crust Alternatives: Replace traditional pizza dough with cauliflower crust or gluten-free options to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg