Vegan “Meat Lover’s” Pizza — Made with Plant-Based Proteins

Vegan meat lovers pizza might sounds contradictory, but made with easy swaps of plant-based proteins and cheese, it will satisfy eaters of all persuasions. This is a prime example of how easy it is to veganize meaty recipes.

“Meat lover’s pizza” is a menu option at restaurant chains and local pizzerias alike;

To make this vegan meaty pizza super hearty, use the following trio plant proteins. Many of them can be found in well-stocked supermarkets; if you need to go further afield, you can order online as well.

Vegan meat alternatives to use for this pizza

• Plant-based ground, crumbles, or chorizo: There are lots of options here. Beyond is an obvious choice, but you can look for Impossible, Plant Pure, etc.For a spicier effect, use plant-based chorizo; No Evil makes great El Zapatista Chorizo. you can even use two crumbled vegan burgers. Or, make your own vegan beef-less ground using whole foods.
• Plant-based bacon: Here you can choose from tempeh-based bacon strips or the more bacon-y type of vegan bacon. There’s Sweet Earth Benevolent Bacon, Fakin’ Bacon, Smart Bacon, Yves Veggie Bacon, and others. Or, make you own Sweet and Savory Tempeh Strips.
• Vegan sausage or pepperoni: Beyond, Field Roast, Gardein, Morningstar Farms, No Evil, Tofurky, and The Very Good Butchers all make excellent vegan sausage. You may find store brands as well. The main ingredients are usually vital wheat gluten and/or tofu (be alert, though, if you have gluten or soy sensitivity).
• If using sausage for this recipe, you’ll need two links. Yves Veggie Cuisine make tasty vegan pepperoni. Use the entire package, which usually comes in 4-ounce quantities.

The rest of the pizza is pretty standard — marinara sauce, vegan mozzarella shreds, and your favorite crust, prepared or homemade (one of our favorites is Whole Wheat and Spelt Pizza Crust).

Complete the meal: Make sure to serve a big, colorful salad with the meal. This recipe makes two good-size pizzas. You can cut them each into 6 or 8 slices, depending on appetites and what else is being served. An average serving is 2 slices.

Photos by Hannah Kaminsky, BittersweetBlog.com.

Explore more …

• A roundup of creative vegan pizza recipes
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Yield: 12

Vegan Meat Lovers Pizza

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Vegan meat lovers pizza might sounds like a contradiction, but made with easy swaps of plant-based proteins and cheese, it will satisfy eaters of all persuasions!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 32 minutes

Ingredients

Pizza

• Two 12- to 14-inch good quality pizza crusts, homemade (see links in Notes) or readymade
• 1 1/2 cups vegan marinara or pizza sauce, your favorite variety, more or less as needed
• 8-ounce package vegan mozzarella-style cheese shreds

Topping

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces plant-based ground, crumbles, or chorizo (see options in Notes)
• 7 to 8 ounces plant-based bacon, cut into small bits (see options in Notes)
• 4-ounce package vegan pepperoni or 2 thinly sliced plant-based sausage links (see options in Notes)
• 1/2 cup vegan marinara or pizza sauce
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or other hot seasoning, optional
• A handful of baby spinach or arugula leaves, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450º F.
2. Place the crusts on two pizza pans (or baking sheets lined with parchment). Cover all but about 1/2 inch of the edges with sauce (this is approximate, depending on the size of your crusts and how saucy you like your pizza), then sprinkle the cheese shreds on last. Set aside.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet or stir-fry pan. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until golden. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for a minute or so. 
4. Add the ground, bacon, and sausage. Turn the heat up medium high and sauté, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to lightly brown here and there, about 8 minutes. Stir in the marinara and continue to sauté for 2 minutes or so longer, stirring almost continually. Season with sriracha to other hot seasoning if you’d like a spicier effect.
5. Carefully divide the meaty mixture over the top of the two pizzas.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bottom of the crust is golden brown (more toward golden than brown!).
7. Remove from the oven. Scatter a few baby spinach or arugula leaves over the top, let stand for a minute or two, then cut each pizza into 6 wedges to serve.

Notes

Use your favorite prepared or homemade crust. Here’s our Whole Wheat and Spelt Pizza Crust.

Plant-based ground, crumbles, or chorizo: Beyond is an obvious choice, but you can look for Impossible, Plant Pure, etc. For a spicier effect, use plant-based chorizo; No Evil makes great El Zapatista Chorizo. You can also use two crumbled vegan burgers (Amy’s California Burger works well here).  Or, make your own vegan beef-less ground using whole foods.

Plant-based bacon: Here you can choose from tempeh-based bacon strips or the more bacon-y type of vegan bacon. There’s Sweet Earth Benevolent Bacon, Fakin’ Bacon, Smart Bacon, Yves Veggie Bacon, and others. Or make you own Sweet and Savory Tempeh Strips.

Plant-based sausage or pepperoni: Tofurky and Field Roast are among the most widely available of plant-based sausage brands. Lightlife, Tofurky, and Yves Veggie Cuisine make tasty vegan pepperoni.

Here are more ways to veganize classic recipes.