Europeans have lengthy understood the wonder of cheese-free pizza made with recent and flavorful elements. However in North America, deep dish pizzas loaded with piles of stringy cheese are greater than the norm, they’re virtually the rule. Nonetheless, as consciousness of meals allergic reactions, intolerances, and well being advantages emerge … and the rising price of meals nips at family budgets … the potential of cheese-less pizza is lastly getting the eye it deserves.
5 Causes to Select Cheese-less Pizza
It’s time to strive the more healthy, lighter, cheaper, and extra flavorful aspect of pizza! Listed below are a number of causes to assist persuade you, a pal, or a member of the family that cheese-less pizza isn’t a sacrifice.
It’s Decrease in Fats, Energy, and Salt
Unloading that layer of cheese will slice the fats and energy of your pie dramatically with out compromising taste (learn purpose #5). Mozzarella is likely one of the slimmer cheeses, but it nonetheless packs on one other 5 to six grams of fats, 80 energy, and 240 milligrams of sodium per ounce (vegan varieties are related!). And lets face it, who eats only one ounce of cheese (roughly one cheese slice) whereas serving to themselves to pizza?
Cheese-less Pizza is Manner Much less Costly
Cheese costs have been rising at a fast rate for many years, however this yr, they’re going exponential. In simply sooner or later, on January fifth 2022, the foreshadowing commodity value per pound of cheese jumped nearly 11%. Economists in each the U.S. and Europe say this implies cheese and different dairy merchandise will improve considerably this yr. Skip the cheese and also you’ll shave a bit of off your rising grocery invoice.
Dairy-Free Cheese Alternate options May be Questionable
Let’s face it, mimicking dairy cheese is tough, and there isn’t a model that has fully nailed it. Some are nonetheless fairly good, whereas others … nicely, I don’t like to talk dangerous of anybody’s efforts. However they are often costly, significantly if it’s important to strive ten completely different manufacturers to seek out the one you want. With cheese-less pizza, there is no such thing as a fear. You’re topping the pizza with meals that you simply already know you like.
Everybody Can Take pleasure in It
I really like having the ability to current meals to family and friends that meets everybody’s particular weight-reduction plan wants. Mother is following a low fats weight-reduction plan … cheese-less pizza. Dad has lactose intolerance … cheese-less pizza. A pal has a number of meals allergic reactions … cheese-less pizza. I’m craving a lightweight however fulfilling plant-based meal … cheese-less pizza. Actually, it’s virtually a one meal suits all. You possibly can even select a dairy-free, gluten-free crust, if wanted.
You Can Truly TASTE the Toppings
Do you know pepperoni has the identical umami as cheese? I’ve served cheese-less pepperoni pizza to many individuals, and each time, they swear there’s cheese on the pizza. One pal was satisfied I used to be mendacity! Generously layer on the pepperoni, and belief me, you’ll be deliciously befuddled, too.
However past pepperoni, my style buds opened as much as a complete new vary of taste choices once I eliminated the cheese. You possibly can order a pesto pizza, a Thai pizza, it actually doesn’t matter when smothered in cheese. Cheese tends to overpower each the style and the feel. However depart off the cheese, and instantly your tasting the sauces and toppings of their full glory.
27 Dairy-Free Cheese-less Pizza Topping Mixture Concepts
These are a few of my favorites, recipes from different cookbook authors, and beloved cheese-less pizza combos from our pals within the Deliciously Dairy Free Group. I hope they supply some inspiration on your home-baked pizzas, and while you order cheese-free pizzas at restaurants.
Tip: I typically use further sauce to maintain the pizza crust from being too dry. Cheese tends to seal in moisture, so it’s vital so as to add some further moisture when making cheese-less pizza.
Sausage, Spinach, Olives, and Solar-Dried Tomatoes – This has a Mediterranean pizza parlor vibe. We combine up the olives, between black, inexperienced, and kalamata for various flavors.
Supreme – This one was shared by Julie, and is my husband’s favourite. Add further sauce and pile on the pepperoni, ham, bacon, inexperienced peppers, black olives, and mushrooms. He likes sausage and generally spinach. Katie recommends arugula.
Mushroom Pesto – This can be a private favourite, which I’ve a recipe for in my cookbook Eat Dairy Free. Use dairy-free pesto as the bottom, and prime with sliced cremini or child bella mushrooms. Non-obligatory toppings embrace pine nuts, cooked sliced rooster breast, sliced roasted purple bell peppers, chopped tomatoes, and crushed purple pepper.
Ham & Pineapple – Ashley shared, “I really like Hawaiian model! The pineapple offers the pizza a very good taste so that you don’t miss the cheese taste an excessive amount of. 
Ham and mushroom is a favourite as nicely.” Kathy provides bacon.
Hawaiian Supreme – Jojo begins with a beneficiant base of ham, then tops it with pineapple, olives, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
Basic Pepperoni – As talked about, pepperoni alone lends pizza umami. However we often add sliced olives, oregano, crushed purple pepper flakes, and generally, mushrooms.
White Pizza – Basic white pizza doesn’t want cheese while you’ve obtained a flavorful dairy-free alfredo. Within the pizza part in Go Dairy Free (sure, there’s a complete chapter on pizza!), I’ve a white garlic pizza recipe that’s cheese-lover authorised. I prefer to prime it with spinach, mushrooms, and rooster, however we generally add crushed purple pepper, chopped bacon, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Garlic Hen – Alexis makes use of a garlic olive oil base as a substitute of purple sauce, and tops it with rooster, spinach, garlic, and onion.
Margherita – The basic Italian pizza is tomato and basil. It’s also possible to add oregano or sun-dried tomatoes for a bit of one thing further.
Thai Peanut – Use Thai Peanut Sauce as a substitute of pizza sauce, and prime with rooster, bean sprouts, shredded carrots, and cilantro.
Roasted Vegetable – That is my Amy’s pizza copycat. Tomatoes, eggplants, and different greens are roasted after which pulsed to make each the sauce and topping. It’s scrumptious! I’ve the complete recipe in Go Dairy Free.
Mediterranean – Jennifer geniously makes use of hummus as a substitute of cheese! She tops her pizza with basil, spinach, mushroom, pepper, onion, pineapple, tomato, artichoke, and “actually any veggies.”
Heirloom Tomato & Olive – This pizza is a superb possibility on the top of tomato season. The recipe is here, and makes use of olive tapenade rather than tomato sauce.
Puttanesca Model – That is one other inventive favourite rom Foods Matter. Warmth 2 tablespoons oil in a big pan. Add 4 crushed garlic cloves and saute for a pair minutes. Add 2 (14-ounce) cans of plum tomatoes, roughly mashed, 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary (or 2 tablespoons recent), a couple of dozen sliced stuffed inexperienced olives, and 6 finely chopped giant anchovies (can sub 6 slices of dairy-free salami, thinly sliced or chopped). Convey to a boil, cut back the warmth and simmer for half-hour. Style and add salt and pepper, if wanted. As soon as thick, unfold over your pizza base, and sprinkle on a dozen or extra sliced stuffed inexperienced olives.
Thai Curry – Skip the pizza sauce and use purple curry sauce as a substitute. We’ve got directions for Shrimp Curry Pizza.
African – This Superfood Pizza makes use of harissa sauce as a substitute of pizza sauce.
Meat Lover’s – Jan piles on the rooster, ham, bacon, salami, pepperoni, floor beef, and sausage. Michele makes an identical pizza, however provides banana peppers and serves it with Plant Based Hidden Valley Ranch.
Artichoke, Tomato, Pesto – Why have only one sauce? This recipe layers tomato sauce, pesto, and artichoke hearts, and has another topping choices.
Bacon, Pineapple, and Onion – Michelle says this one would possibly sound bizarre, however she loves it. Her husband is in if she omits the pineapple and provides pepperoni and inexperienced pepper.
Honey Garlic Hen – Kerri says honey garlic chicken with inexperienced pepper, and pineapple is healthier on pizza with no cheese.
Caramelized Onions & Sardines – That is undoubtedly on the distinctive aspect, however the folks at Foods Matter swear by it. Warmth 3 tablespoons oil in a big pan, and add 8 thinly sliced medium onions. Prepare dinner ncovered for five minutes, then coated for 25 to half-hour, till the onions are evenly caramelized. Unfold the onions over you pizza base. Drain 6 sardines packed in olive oil, mash totally, and unfold over the onions. Optionally squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the pizza, sprinkle on salt and plenty of black pepper, and bake!
Bacon & Caramelized Onions – If sardines is just too bizarre for you, Rachael says that is her favourite cheese-less pizza topping combo.
Pineapple, Roasted Pink Peppers, Banana Peppers – I’m nonetheless making an attempt to wrap my style buds round this very distinctive thought, however Michelle says it’s scrumptious.
BBQ Hen – Tori makes use of barbecue sauce rather than tomato sauce on her dairy-free cheese-less pizza. She tops it with grilled rooster, banana peppers, and tomatoes. We like our barbecue rooster pizza with sliced olives, tomatoes, and spinach. Candice tops hers with bacon and onion, whereas Katie recommends fried onions.
Garlic Marinara – Courtney retains it easy with chunky marinara sauce and roasted garlic, generally with mushrooms.
Californian – Debbie tops her cheese-less pizza with seasoned rooster, pepperoni, broccoli, onion, garlic, and yellow squash or zucchini, sautéed in olive oil and seasonings.
Bacon & Mushroom – Kelley says this easy mixture is nice, however at all times with further marinara sauce, and generally garlic.
Extra Distinctive Dairy-Free Toppings not Talked about Above
- Plant-Based Beet “Pepperoni” (actually, it’s scrumptious!)
- Walnut “Sausage” (one other wholesome meatless possibility)
- Shelled Hemp Seeds (they add a scrumptious pop!)
- Roasted Garlic (complete or mashed and unfold on the dough)
- Broccoli Florets (Brandi places this on her supreme pizza)
- Prosciutto (bacon’s fancy cousin)
For Extra Dairy-Free Steering, Get Go Dairy Free!
