Vegan "Meat-Lovers" Pizza

Vegan "Meat-Lovers" Pizza

When you say pizza, I think everyone raises their hand to agree that it is one of their favorite comfort foods. Whether take out or homemade we can't seem to get enough! But its nice to not take out all the time and gives you less worrying about what your family is consuming. This "meat-lovers" piles on all your favorite veggie meats and makes a hearty meal out of each slice. With this homemade pizza, dinner is as easy as 1, 2, 3 and shows your family you care. A great activity for kids to help with, you will never get bored of the giggles and happy smiles with a homemade pizza. Also a great make ahead and freeze, so you have pizza anytime! Serve with a fresh garden salad and a smile. Enjoy!

Vegan "Meat-Lovers" Pizza

Ingredients

Pizza Toppings
-1/2 to 3/4 cup Pizza Sauce (Your favorite brand)
-3/4 cup vegan ground beef crumbles
-1 cup vegan sausage crumbles
-10 to 20 vegan pepperoni slices (I used Tofurky brand, place to fit)
-2 Tablespoon vegan bacon, dried or fresh (small pieces)
-2 cups vegan cheese (I use Daiya block cheese, Jack flavored)
-1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
-1 Tablespoon vegan parmesan
-1/2 Tablespoon dried Parsley or Basil
-Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
-1 to 2 Tablespoons olive oil, enough to cover the top

Pizza Dough
-4 cups bread flour or all-purpose
-1 teaspoon sugar
-1 envelope instant dry yeast
-2 teaspoons kosher salt
-1 1/2 cups hot water, 1/4 cup more if needed
-3 tablespoons olive oil

Note
Bread flour will give you a crispier crust and all-purpose flour will give you a chewier crust, your preference.

Directions

Crust
Combine the bread flour, sugar, yeast and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix to combine. While the mixer is running, add the water and 2 tablespoons of the oil and beat until the dough starts to forms into a ball. If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a solid ball. If the dough is too dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Pre-Conpleted Dough Ball

Finished Dough Ball

Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth, firm ball.

Grease a large bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, add the dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a warm area to let it double in size, about 1 hour. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 2 equal pieces for 2 pizzas or one for one big pizza. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for 10 more minutes.

Stretched Dough

When the dough has risen and stretched on a pizza stone or cookie sheet, I put seasonings of my choice on it (Nutritional yeast, salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, dried onion flakes, and Italian seasoning) and pre-bake the shell. Cook shell for 10 to 15 minutes until lightly crisp and golden.

Seasoned Pre-Cooked Dough

Assembled Pizza with Toppings
Before assembling your pizza, prepare and set up your ingredients. Grate vegan cheese block and place in a bowl, mix with nutritional yeast and vegan parmesan and set aside. It helps to have your vegan cheese really cold, you can take it out of the fridge right before grating or place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

At this point you can assemble and place you pizza ingredients. Start by placing 1/2 to 3/4 cup of your favorite pizza sauce and spread around the dough until a little short of the edge, about 1/2 to 1 inch. Once sauce is placed, add your vegan ground beef and sausage and evenly distribute. Add on your vegan bacon and top with your set aside vegan cheese mixture, making sure to make even layer. Once everything has been placed on top, sprinkle with dried parsley or basil, salt and pepper. Drizzle with a little olive oil to ensure a nice even browning on the cheese.

Pre-Baked Pizza

Bake in the oven to 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and melted. If you like your cheese darker, at the last 2 to 3 minutes of baking, switch to a low broil and cook until golden. Remove the pizza out of the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and eating. Serve with a fresh garden salad and your favorite pizza sides. Enjoy!

-Amy

Sliced & Ready to Serve

Cooked Dough with Toppings