10 Dairy-Free Pizzas So Good You Won't Miss the Mozz
Here are 10 irresistible — and healthy(ish) — cheese-free pizza recipes that are so delicious you won’t even miss the mozzarella.
Overview
It's often labeled as "junk food," but pizza can be more of a well-balanced meal than you realize. Unfortunately, the way many American-style pizzerias make pie (extra cheesy and extra greasy) and the way Americans often eat it (three slices too many) can result in an overload of calories, "bad" fats and sodium. What's a better way to make pizza? Start with a wholesome whole-grain or multigrain dough. For toppings, go with produce first and meats second. And consider totally skipping the dairy and swapping in vegan cheese or a creamy, flavorful spread in its place. Here are 10 irresistible — and healthy(ish) — cheese-free pizza recipes that are so delicious you won't even miss the mozzarella.
1. Spicy Squash, Greens and Turkey Sausage Pizza
Are you a sausage pizza fan? Well, you're in luck. By forgoing the cheese and choosing organic Italian turkey sausage, you can have your sausage slices without all the fat and grease. The combination of crispy kale, creamy butternut squash and savory sausage is so scrumptious on this thin-crust pizza that it's absolutely impossible to resist. A key to its luxuriousness is the squash base, made by sauteing squash cubes in olive oil and garlic, smashing them, then dolloping them onto the pizza dough before piling on the other ingredients. Not only is the squash naturally sweet, it has loads of beta carotene.
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
2. Thai Chicken Thick-Crust Pizza
Thai Chicken Pizza is one of the most well-known pies created by California Pizza Kitchen. Since imitation is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery, we hope they'll be flattered by this CPK-inspired thick-crust take on the popular menu item. Rather than Italian tomato sauce, you'll slather the pizza dough with an Asian peanut sauce. Toppings include rotisserie chicken breast, scallions, mung bean sprouts, carrots, peanuts and cilantro. While the carrots look similar to shredded cheese, they have far fewer calories and no lactose.
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
3. Vegetarian Mexican Personal Pizzas
When you combine the concept of pizza with the luscious ingredients of a bean burrito, everyone wins. To make this delicioso recipe, you'll form individual pizza-size rounds of dough. Before baking, spread each with a mixture of vegetarian refried black beans and salsa verde, then sprinkle with sliced cherry tomatoes, corn, a little oil and sea salt. Once the pies are out of the oven, top them with dollops of guacamole and fresh cilantro. Health benefits include plenty of fiber, thanks mostly to the beans, as well as a healthy dose of fresh vegetables.
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
4. Rosemary Pizza Patate
If you're Italian, you might call this "pizza con patate e rosmarino." No matter your heritage, your taste buds will intuitively know this sauceless, cheeseless pie is way tastier than expected. To begin, you'll prepare what are essentially rosemary hash browns using baby tri-color "creamer" potatoes. Then you'll roll out the dough, brush with extra-virgin olive oil, top with the potato mixture and bake. If you're a carb loader (or just a carb lover), be sure to incorporate this recipe into your performance diet. It is advised that athletes enjoy at least two carbohydrate-rich foods at mealtimes, so why not make this "patate" pizza one of them?
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
5. Baby Arugula, Fig Jam and Caramelized Onion Pizza
This pizza gets its sweetness from caramelized onions and fig jam, which together creates a glaze over the crust during baking. The savory highlights include peppery baby arugula, garlic, thyme and freshly ground black pepper. While pepper is often used as a seasoning afterthought, in this dish it's an integral ingredient.
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
6. Party-Time Hummus Pizza
Hummus, the lovable Middle Eastern chickpea spread, is no longer just a dip — it can be used as a "sauce" for your pizza too. You won't cook the hummus (yuck), you'll simply bake the sesame seed-flecked pizza dough before adding any toppings. After the sesame crust cools for a bit, you'll top it with hummus, cucumber, red onion, grape tomatoes, olive oil, harissa, pine nuts and parsley. This pie is a colorful, memorable party food and a fun way to get your veggies.
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
7. Vegan Margherita Thin-Crust Pizza
Margherita pizza has absolutely nothing to do with the delicious, hangover-inducing margarita cocktail. Classic Margherita pizza ingredients include tomato, fresh basil and creamy mozzarella. For a modern twist, this version uses fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes and vegan mozzarella-style cheese (or lactose-free cheese shreds, if you prefer). Using a quality extra-virgin olive oil and freshly picked basil leaves will take this pizza to the next level.
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
8. Pan-Charred Steakhouse Salad Pizza
Regularly eating a big ol' steak every night for dinner is not something that's good for your body — and it's definitely not good for the planet! But that doesn't mean beef eaters need to completely miss out on this rich source of iron. Just know that beef should be regarded as a treat and eaten in moderation. Here, you'll pan-grill eight ounces of lean beef tenderloin (ideally organic and grass-fed), thinly slice it and add it to a salad-topped pizza that serves four. That way you're getting two ounces of steak per serving along with your greens and a pan-grilled pizza. Fancy!
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
9. Luncheon Chicken Salad Pizza
A chicken salad sandwich may be absolutely delightful, but it rarely dazzles. But transform that sandwich into a pizza and it will steal the show. What's more, this chicken salad pizza recipe can be quick and simple to throw together at the last minute if you have its two components prepared in advance. The crust is unique because it's topped with sliced natural almonds before baking — punching up the vitamin E and the crunch. The chicken salad, which gets added after the crust is cooked, is rather luxurious and studded with fresh red grapes to sneak in a serving of fruit and heart-friendly polyphenols. Don't knock it till you try it.
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
10. Brunch Pizza With Herb Scrambled Eggs
Pizza for brunch? Absolutely! Or have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's basically like eating scrambled eggs and toast — just in a much more intriguing form. You'll par-bake the crust, top if with slightly runny scrambled eggs and finish baking the egg-topped crust until it's crisp and the eggs are firm. You're also getting veggies by way of grape tomatoes, scallions and fresh tarragon — and feel free to swap in basil or any other herb of your choice. This pizza is definitely one of the most innovative ways to enjoy high-quality protein for breakfast.
Related: See Complete Recipe and Nutritional Info in LIVESTRONG.COM's Calorie Tracker
What Do YOU Think?
Do you eat pizza regularly? Why or why not? What's your favorite healthful pizza topping? Let us know in the comments!
Related: 10 Worst Foods to Eat When You're Stressed Out of Your Mind