Vegetable Pizza Recipe – Pie Dough & Fresh Garden Toppings

Last Updated on 6 months ago by Neha Deshmukh

Vegetable Pizza Recipe – Pie Dough & Fresh Garden Toppings

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, sometimes you just crave a good pizza. But instead of ordering takeout, I love making my own – especially when I can load it up with fresh veggies! This vegetable pizza recipe, made with a flaky homemade pie dough base, is a family favourite. It’s a little bit of work, but trust me, the results are SO worth it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This isn’t your average pizza. We’re ditching the usual base for a buttery, homemade pie dough, which gives it a wonderful texture. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up any garden-fresh vegetables you have on hand. It’s colourful, flavourful, and honestly, just makes everyone happy! I first made this when my kids were little, and it quickly became a weekend tradition.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this veggie masterpiece:

• 450g pie dough
• 0.5 cup (120ml) pizza sauce
• 200g mozzarella cheese
• 0.125 cup (30ml) mushrooms, sliced
• 7-8 onion rings
• 7-8 bell pepper slices
• 0.125 cup (30ml) zucchini, sliced
• 5-6 black olives
• 1 tbsp milk (for brushing)

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients! Using a homemade pie dough really elevates this pizza – it’s so much flakier and tastier than store-bought. You can find a great recipe here. Don’t be shy with the veggies! I love using whatever’s in season. Feel free to swap out the zucchini and bell peppers for spinach, broccoli, or even some roasted eggplant. And the cheese? Mozzarella is classic, but a little bit of cheddar or parmesan wouldn’t hurt either!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F. This is important for a crispy crust!
2. Roll out 150g of your pie dough into a 10-inch circle. Gently place it into your pie pan. Trim the edges, prick the base all over with a fork (this prevents it from puffing up too much), and pre-bake for 10 minutes.
3. Spread that delicious pizza sauce evenly over the pre-baked crust.
4. Now for the fun part – layering! Sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese, then arrange your zucchini, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the arrangement! Add another generous layer of cheese on top.
5. Time to get a little fancy! Roll out another 100g of dough and use a knife to cut out some decorative leaves. With the remaining 100g, use a cookie cutter to make flowers, and poke a little hole in the centre of each with a skewer.
6. Roll out the last 100g of dough into a sheet and cut diagonal slits into it. Carefully drape this over the pizza, trim any excess dough, and attach your floral decorations.
7. Brush the entire pie with milk. This will give it a lovely golden colour.
8. Bake at 200°C/400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
9. Remove from the oven, brush with melted butter, and garnish with a sprinkle of pepper sauce, oregano, and black pepper.

Expert Tips

Want to take your pizza game to the next level? Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years:

• Flaky Crust Secret: Make sure your pie dough is cold when you roll it out. Cold butter = flaky layers!
• Soggy Bottom Blues: Pre-baking the crust is key to preventing a soggy pizza.
• Even Cooking: Don’t overcrowd the pizza with toppings. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer for even cooking.

Variations

This recipe is super versatile! Here are a few ways to customize it:

• Vegan Variation: My friend Priya is vegan, and she makes this with vegan cheese and a vegan pie dough. It’s just as delicious!
• Gluten-Free Variation: If you’re gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free pie dough. There are some great store-bought options available.
• Spice Level: My husband loves a little heat, so I sometimes add a pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of spicy sauce before baking.
• Festival Adaptations: During Diwali, I like to add some grated paneer and a sprinkle of garam masala for a festive twist.

Serving Suggestions

This vegetable pizza is perfect as a main course for a casual dinner. Serve it with a side salad and a refreshing glass of lemonade. It’s also great for parties – everyone loves pizza!

Storage Instructions

Leftover pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

FAQs

Let’s answer some common questions:

• What type of pie dough works best for this pizza? A classic all-butter pie dough is ideal for a flaky crust.
• Can I use pre-made pizza sauce? Absolutely! If you’re short on time, a good quality pre-made sauce will work just fine.
• How can I prevent the crust from shrinking during baking? Pricking the crust with a fork and pre-baking it helps prevent shrinking.
• Can I add protein like paneer or chicken to this pizza? Definitely! Paneer is a great vegetarian option, and cooked chicken or sausage would also be delicious.
• What’s the best way to arrange the vegetables for even cooking? Arrange the vegetables in a single layer, and try to avoid overcrowding the pizza.