Vegan Pizza Margherita

Vegan Pizza Margherita

If you've ever dreamed of making the perfect vegan pizza margherita, this recipe is for you! With a crispy crust, fresh basil, simple tomato sauce, and melty vegan mozzarella (homemade or store-bought), it rivals any pizzeria. Follow my step-by-step guide for a delicious, restaurant-quality pizza at home!
My Notes:
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time42 minutes
Meal Type: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Snacks
Keyword: pizza
Special: 10 Ingredients or Less, Freezer-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, Seasonal (Cold Weather), Seasonal (Hot Weather), Vegan Cheese
Tool: Oven
Ingredient: Tomatoes
Showcase: Latest Recipes
Servings: 2 - 4 servings per pizza
Ingredients
For the Sauce (makes enough sauce for 2 -3 pizzas):
  • 1 cup(s) passata (purรฉed tomatoes)
  • 1 tablespoon(s) olive oil (omit for oil-free)
  • 1 clove(s) garlic minced or pressed
  • 1/2 teaspoon(s) dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
For the Pizza:
  • Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought), room temperature (about 9 oz / 260 g of dough per pizza)
  • Flour or cornmeal for dusting
  • Homemade Vegan Bocconcini (or store-bought vegan mozzarella such as Miyokoโ€™s or Violife), sliced or shredded (2 - 3 balls per pizza)
  • Fresh basil leaves (4 - 8 leaves per pizza)
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven:
  • Pizza Oven: Preheat to 700ยฐF (371ยฐC).
    Pizza Stone: Place the pizza stone on the middle rack and preheat the oven to its highest setting (500โ€“550ยฐF / 260โ€“288ยฐC). Allow the stone to heat for at least 30 minutes.
    Regular Oven: Preheat to 500โ€“550ยฐF (260โ€“288ยฐC). Have a large baking sheet ready (a round or rectangular one will work).
Make the Tomato Sauce:
  • In a small bowl, mix the passata, olive oil (if using), garlic, oregano, and salt. Set aside.
Assemble the pizza:
  • Lightly flour a clean work surface. Stretch or roll out the dough to your desired size and thickness (10โ€“12 inches / 25โ€“30 cm is ideal).
    Have your ingredients ready and ensure your oven is properly preheated. Work quickly at this point.
  • If using a pizza peel (pizza oven or pizza stone): Dust the peel generously with flour or cornmeal. Place the stretched dough on the peel and give it a gentle wiggle to ensure it slides easily. If it sticks, lift the edges and sprinkle more flour or cornmeal until it moves freely.
    If using a baking sheet: Sprinkle the sheet generously with cornmeal or line it with parchment paper. Transfer the dough onto the prepared sheet and reshape as needed.
  • Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Evenly distribute slices (or shreds) of vegan cheese over the sauce. Optional: Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Bake the Pizza:
  • Pizza Oven: Ensure the dough still slides easily on the peel. Slide the pizza onto the stone with a quick, confident motion. Bake for about 5 minutes, keeping a close eye on it, until the crust is bubbly and browned.
    Pizza Stone: Slide the pizza onto the stone with a quick, confident motion and bake for 8โ€“10 minutes, watching for bubbly, browned edges.
    Regular Oven: Bake the pizza on the baking sheet for 10โ€“12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crisp.
  • Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with fresh basil leaves (add the basil leaves after baking to avoid wilting and browning). Slice with a pizza cutter or knife, and serve hot.
Notes

Tips for Success:

Pizza oven: if you really love making homemade pizza, consider investing in an indoor pizza oven. I have this one and LOVE it. It makes the best pizza I have ever had and it is so easy to use!!!
High Heat is Key: For a crispy, perfectly cooked crust, a super-hot oven is essential. Preheat your oven or pizza stone for at least 30 minutes to ensure itโ€™s piping hot and ready to go. This step makes all the difference!
Make Freezer Pizzas: Save time by prepping homemade freezer pizzas! Par-bake the crust without sauce or toppings at 475ยฐF (245ยฐC) for 5 minutes to set it without overbaking. Let it cool completely, then add your toppings and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, bake directly from frozen following the recipe instructionsโ€”no thawing needed.
Storage: Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or skillet to keep the crust crisp.
Reheating Leftover Slices: While cold pizza is always a treat, reheating slices in a skillet over medium heat works wonders. It crisps up the bottom beautifully and melts the cheese perfectlyโ€”no soggy microwave results here!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving (1/4 of a pizza) | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1432mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 3mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and Hashtag #easyveganmealplan