Certainly! Here’s a longer, unique, and plagiarism-free version of your Veg Pizza Recipe write-up, expanded into a warm, conversational, blog-style article. It captures your personal touch and gives readers detailed guidance from start to finish, whether they want a regular crust or a thin crust pizza.
If there’s one dish that never fails to bring smiles to the table, it’s pizza. And not just any pizza—a homemade veg pizza made completely from scratch, with a freshly kneaded dough, rich homemade tomato sauce, and your favorite toppings piled generously over gooey melted cheese.
This post is my complete, tried-and-tested guide to making the perfect vegetarian pizza at home. I’ve made this recipe countless times, especially because my dear husband is a huge pizza lover. Over the years, I’ve perfected this process, and I can confidently say that this is a foolproof veg pizza recipe you can count on.
The best part? You’ll never want to order from outside again. Once you experience the flavor of fresh, homemade ingredients, there’s no going back to frozen dough and bland sauces.
Ingredients
For pizza dough:
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour (Maida): This finely milled flour serves as the foundation for your dough, producing a soft, pliable texture that’s ideal for stretching. It gives your pizza base the perfect combination of softness and light chewiness, creating a classic pizzeria feel.
- 2¼ teaspoons Instant Dry Yeast (or 1 packet): Yeast is what brings the dough to life—literally. It causes the dough to rise by producing air bubbles during fermentation. This results in a light, airy crust that has just the right amount of chew. Using instant yeast also speeds up the process since it doesn’t require proofing separately.
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil: Olive oil does more than just enhance the flavor; it also helps tenderize the dough and improves its elasticity. It makes the dough easier to knead and gives the crust a subtle richness and golden finish once baked.
- 1 cup Lukewarm Water: The water should be comfortably warm to the touch (not hot), ideally around 105–110°F. This temperature helps activate the yeast properly, ensuring your dough rises well. Cold or hot water can hinder yeast activity, so this step is key for a good rise.
- Salt to taste: Salt plays an essential role in enhancing the overall flavor of the dough, bringing out its natural taste and creating a well-rounded base. It not only improves the taste but also strengthens the dough structure by tightening the gluten strands, making it easier to handle and shape.
For pizza sauce:
- 6–7 Medium Tomatoes: Begin by blanching the tomatoes to easily remove the skin, then puree them to create a smooth, vibrant base. Fresh tomatoes give the sauce its signature tangy flavor and natural sweetness, making your pizza taste authentically homemade.
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil not only adds depth and richness to the sauce but also helps in sautéing the ingredients to release their flavors. It brings a smooth texture and a slightly fruity undertone to the mix.
- ¼ cup Finely Chopped Red Onion: Finely chopped red onions bring a gentle sweetness when sautéed, which helps to mellow the acidity of the tomatoes. They also contribute a subtle depth and a slight sharpness, enhancing the overall flavor of the sauce.
- 2–3 Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped: Fresh garlic infuses the sauce with a warm, robust aroma and a touch of spice. It enhances the flavor profile and gives the sauce a strong, savory backbone.
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil + 2 tablespoons Fresh Basil: The dried basil provides an earthy, concentrated flavor, while fresh basil offers a burst of herbal freshness. Combined, these herbs form a well-rounded and fragrant mix that enhances the flavor and aroma of the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme: Thyme adds a gentle floral note with a hint of mint, giving the sauce a slightly sophisticated twist without overpowering other ingredients.
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano (or Italian herb mix): A must-have for that unmistakable Italian flair, oregano (or a herb blend) gives your sauce the traditional pizza parlor aroma and taste.
- ½ teaspoon Red Chili Flakes (adjust to taste): A pinch of chili flakes introduces a gentle kick, warming the palate without overwhelming it.
- Salt and Black Pepper Powder, to taste: These two basic seasonings fine-tune the sauce, bringing harmony to all the bold flavors and ensuring a delicious final result.
For toppings:
- 1 Small Red Onion, Thinly Sliced: Thinly slicing a small red onion adds a crisp texture and a touch of sweetness to your pizza. Once baked, the onions slightly caramelize, adding richness and a delicate bite that complements the other toppings beautifully.
- ½ Small Green Bell Pepper (Capsicum), Sliced: Fresh green bell pepper adds a vibrant crunch and a mild bitterness that balances the richness of the cheese. Its bright color also enhances the visual appeal of the pizza.
- ½ Small Red Bell Pepper, Sliced: Red bell peppers offer a natural sweetness along with vibrant color, adding both flavor and visual appeal to the dish. When baked, they soften slightly, adding a juicy, mellow element that pairs well with both spicy and savory toppings.
- 2 Jalapeños, Thinly Sliced: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, jalapeños are a perfect choice. Thin slices distribute their fiery kick evenly across the pizza, adding boldness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Black Olives, as needed: Briny and rich, black olives offer a salty contrast that cuts through the creamy cheese and balances the sauce. Add them according to your taste preference for a touch of Mediterranean flair.
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded: Generously covering your pizza with shredded mozzarella ensures that iconic, gooey, melted layer everyone craves. It melts beautifully in the oven, creating a stretchy, golden topping that binds all the ingredients together in every bite.
How To Make Veg Pizza?
Making pizza dough:
1) In a food processor fitted with a dough blade, combine all-purpose flour, instant (rapid rise) yeast, olive oil, salt, and lukewarm water.
Note: I’ve used rapid rise yeast, so it goes straight in. But if you’re using active dry yeast, you’ll need to dissolve it in warm water with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes until it becomes frothy—only then mix with the flour.
2) Knead the ingredients into a soft, smooth dough. You can also do this by hand, just like kneading for paratha or roti. Ensure there are no dry patches.
3) Lightly grease a large mixing bowl with olive oil. Place the dough inside and rub a little oil on top to prevent drying. Place a clean kitchen towel or some plastic wrap over the bowl and allow the dough to rest in a warm area for roughly 2 hours, or until it rises and doubles in size.
4) Whereas the dough rises, you can prep your vegetables and indeed gently sauté them for additional flavor. Heat a skillet and drizzle in a little amount of olive oil. Include the sliced onions, bell peppers, olives, and jalapeños, and sauté them lightly. Season with dried herbs and a pinch of chili flakes.
Making pizza sauce:
1) Start by blanching the tomatoes. Score a small ‘+’ mark at the bottom of each. Bring water to a boil and include the tomatoes. Boil for 2–3 minutes, at that point quickly exchange them to ice-cold water to halt the cooking.
2) Once cooled, the tomato skins will start peeling off easily.
3) Peel and mash the tomatoes by hand or lightly blend in a food processor. You can leave them chunky or smooth, depending on your preference. I prefer a slightly chunky texture.
4) Warm olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped onions until translucent.
5) Include minced garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
6) Mix in your mashed or pureed tomatoes.
7) Season with dried basil, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes. If you’re using fresh herbs, feel free to increase the quantity for a more vibrant flavor.
8) Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. As it thickens, mash any remaining tomato chunks gently with a spatula.
9 & 10) Once the sauce becomes thick and rich (not watery), turn off the heat and set aside.
Assembling and baking veg pizza recipe:
1) With the sauce and toppings ready, it’s time to make your pizza! Preheat the oven to 450–500°F (230–260°C) for at least 15–20 minutes. Dust your pizza tray or baking sheet with semolina or cornmeal to prevent sticking and enhance crispiness.
2) After the rise, your dough will look puffy and airy, ready to work with.
3) Tenderly punch down the dough to discharge air, and separate it into three break even withportions. Roll each into a smooth ball.
4) Softly flour your surface and take one dough ball.
5) Roll it into a circle of 8–9 inches for a thincrust, or 6 inches for a thicker, regular crust.
6) Carefully transfer the rolled base to your prepared baking tray.
7) Spread a generous spoonful of your homemade pizza sauce evenly over the base.
8) Organize your sautéed veggie toppings over the sauce.
9) Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese all over—feel free to adjust the amount based on your cheese preference.
10) Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes.
Tip: For an extra crispy crust, heat the pizza for the to begin with 10 minutes on the middle rack, and at that point move it to the bottom of the oven for the last 5–8 minutes.
11) Once done, expel the pizza from the broiler. Let it cool slightly, slice it into wedges, and serve hot!
Serving suggestion:
For the best experience, serve your homemade pizza fresh out of the oven while the cheese is still perfectly melted and bubbling. Slice it into even wedges using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, and present it on a wooden board or a flat serving tray for a rustic touch.
Pair it with a side of garlic breadsticks, a crisp green salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or a bowl of warm soup for a complete meal. For added flair, sprinkle some extra chili flakes, grated parmesan, or fresh basil on top before serving.
This pizza also pairs wonderfully with cold beverages like iced tea, lemon soda, or even a glass of red wine, depending on the occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, enjoying a movie night, or serving a casual lunch, this pizza makes a delicious and satisfying centerpiece.
