Let me just start by saying who doesn’t love pizza? I know that some people reading this will be thinking a pizza isn’t pizza if it doesn’t involve bread and cheese, but there’s a healthier alternative to everything. Whether you’re participating in Veganuary and are looking to try something new. Or maybe you are struggling to stick to those pesky resolutions, there’s always an option. And this one is for you. Not only is this pizza a veggie pizza in terms of toppings, the base is made from vegetables too. That’s right, you’re going to get 2-3 of your five a day from a pizza.
Thank me later.
This came about when I initially started to try and cut back on my gluten intake and found it hard to find a good gluten free base. And not wanting to wait hours for the yeast to do its thing. I also love butternut squash so like to try and fit it in as many meals as physically possible.
I’m making this with pesto, which is where most of the fat in the nutritional value table comes from. If you’d prefer this with a typical tomato sauce instead this will reduce the fat (and calories). This will also make this recipe completely nut free for any allergy sufferers.
If you have time, it’s better to make this on a morning and leave the base in the fridge for a few hours before you put it in the oven, but it still works if you’re making it to eat straight away.
This recipe is dairy free, gluten free, vegan and nut free (optional).
Cook time: 25-30 minutes total
Prep time: 30 – 60minutes
Serves: 2 medium sized pizzas
Ingredients:
This is the nutritional information for the base with pesto but without additional toppings
For the base
- Half a butternut squash, peeled and chopped
- Buckwheat flour – amount varies (up to 2 ½ cups)
- 1 flax egg (1tbsp flax seed, 3 tbsp water)
- Tablespoon herbs of choice (I used a mixture of basil, oregano, garlic and chilli flakes)
- Tsp olive oil (optional)
Toppings
Obviously, you can top your pizza with whatever you want but for the one I’m about to show you I used:
- Half a roasted red pepper
- Half a small red onion
- 4 tsp free from pesto, I used a mixture of basil and tomato
- Black olives
- Sundried tomatoes
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 180oC
- Boil your chopped butternut squash until it is soft enough to be mashed, approximately 15-20 minutes
- Once squash is boiled, drain and mash with a fork.
- Then stir in the flax egg and seasoning.
- Add flour. Start with a cup and slowly add more until the texture is slightly tacky but not wet and sticky. For this recipe I used 1 ¾ cups but this will vary.
- This next step is recommended but not essential. Once your dough is the desired texture work it into a ball and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Although the longer the better. If you can prep this on a morning and leave it in the fridge for most of the day that would be ideal. This step makes it easier to work the base into the correct shape. If you don’t have time to chill the dough, don’t worry, we might just need more flour.
- Next, split your dough into two and place on separate baking trays. Press your dough out into the desired shape and size. If you’re having pesto as a topping I recommend leaving the base slightly thicker.
- Sprinkle lightly with a few drops of water then place into the centre of the oven for 15-20 minutes. The base is ready when it’s firm but not completely hard. If you’re using pesto allow it to cook until slightly dry as the oils will absorb into the base.
- Lightly brush the edge of the crust with olive oil or more water. Add toppings and place back in the oven for a further 10 minutes.
Enjoy!
Until next time,
Sophie
To see my latest savoury recipe, click here.
I’d never heard of pizza being made with vegetables for the base, that’s so cool! I’d love to try it sometime
That’s such an interesting recipe and looks so so good!
This looks amazing! I love pizza but I know how unhealthy it is so this looks really helpful.
Love this!! I really want to start experimenting with cooking and making healthier meals. It’s great that there are healthy alternatives to what I consider my favourite foods. Surely that means I will still look forward to a healthier variation than a takeaway (for example). Thanks for sharing.
Hayley | hayleyxmartin
I really thought this is going to be a cauliflower base (which I don’t like) but then it’s butternut squash which I don’t like even more! Gutted!! Are there any other vegan pizza bases you would recommend? Your pizza does look delicious, I wish I could eat it!
Ellyn x | Life Of A Beauty Nerd
Ah no! I have made a very similar base with sweet potato instead of squash if that’s anymore appealing to you? The quantities would be roughly the same as well with them being similar vegetables. If you can’t find a good vegetable base, oh she glows has a great vegan bread base on her site but it’s a yeast one so it does take a while x
Oh, I often wish that I could have pizza more often and love the idea of using all this veg and pesto. I., saving this to try soon.
I hope you like it! If you try it let me know what you think x
I love pizza, maybe a little too much! Will definitely have to keep this in mind the next time I make my own x
This sounds delicious! Gotta try it this weekend thanks for sharing
It’s something for the whole family! My husband has recently become rather obsessed with buckwheat and I haven’t but I think I’ll try it this way!
Soffy // themumaffairs.blogspot.com
I love pizza so much, in fact I’m having pizza tonight for dinner haha! I’ll have to try this recipe out since it will be amazing to find a healthy pizza I like 🙂
L xo
This is the perfect guilt free pizza! <3 I’ll have to consider this next time I get my usual Dominos craving! Thanks for the recipe Sophie! I am a big fan of pesto & black olives too so this is my kinda thing! <3
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Ooo this looks delicious! I’ve actually been looking for more vegan foods as I’ve been cutting down on dairy. I’m also absolutely in love with sundries tomatoes so this is perfect will definitely have to try this out!
EscapesAndEpiphanies | Travel Fashion Lifestyle
They’re amazing right? I try and fit them in whenever I can. I hope you like it! x
This looks amazing! Thank you for the great recipe. I am veggie and trying to be more healthy so this will be perfect for pizza cravings (I am kind of a rubbish cook but I will give it my best shot) X
elise //
It’s easy to make I promise! All you need is a little patience, which I know can be challenging when we’re talking about pizza…x
One way to make pizza a little healthier & it looks fantastic.
This looks so amazing! I’m always on the look out for recipes and this one’s definitely going on my to-make pile!
Tori | JustTheBeginning-x.com
Latest blog post: Blogging – How I stay motivated
Thank you! Yay! I hope you enjoy it x
Yum! This sounds really good and I’m a hugeee fan of pizza! I definitely want to try out healthier options though! and this one looks super good and as long as it tastes it’s about winner for me!
This looks so yummy. Might want to make this over the weekend!
I once tried a similar recipe with a cauliflower base (mind you I absolutely hate cauliflower!!!) and I was pretty impressed with the taste! Unfortunately, it takes too much time to prepare and I can’t deal…! When I want pizza, I need it now!
Maria |
Haha I know that feeling too! It’s definitely more effort than just picking up the phone or turning the oven on x
I’ve never heard of a pizza base made from vegetables, this is so different! It looks really tasty and the fact it’s actually healthy is fab. I’d definitely consider trying this since I am dairy free and my partner is gluten free.
Haha the perfect combination then! I hope you both really enjoy it x
I’m loving this base! Very inventive ☺️ x
I don’t like eating pizza because I find it too bready. This might be the solution
Didn’t think pizza could be healthy but I was wrong! Looks very yummy! x
I’m excited to try this recipe! Since trying to go more plant-based, I have been looking for a pizza base that doesn’t need time to rise but doesn’t contain egg either. This is the perfect solution. Just gotta locate some butternut squash… X
This sounds great and we’ll try it one weekend! I have tried being gluten free and it lasted only a month but I could and should give it another (longer) try! Maybe recipes like this would help :).
Veggie pizzas are great!
I’ve seen some pizza bases made from cauliflower before. This recipe sounds awesome, I’d love to give this a go!!
Kelly
http://www.thiswayandthatway.com
Brilliant recipe. Looks nice and healthy. Can’t wait to see more of your food posts x
Emma x http://www.bookinggoodread.com
Such a cool idea and your pictures look great!! X
Sounds delicious!
What an interesting pizza recipe! I have seen quite a few different recipes for baking a healthier pizza, but I haven’t ever seen seeet post stores used or pesto. Very intriguing! I may have to try this! Thanks for sharing
Holy cow this looks so freaking delicious! I actually LOVE the idea of it using squash for the base – I see everyone using cauliflower bases as a healthier alternative to regular pizza so it’s nice to see even more variety! Delish! xx
I am so disciplined during the week but so bad at the weekend. I ate so much crap last weekend! This would be the perfect alternative! Looks so so good! xx corinne
Oooya I love pizza especially when there’s sun dried tommies on top! Yum yum 🙂 x x
Ellis // http://www.elliswoolley.co.uk
This sounds so yummy! I want to make it for me now LOL. Thank you for sharing ✨
With love, Alisha Valerie x
http://www.alishavalerie.com | http://www.twitter.com/alishavalerie
Pizza is probably one of my favourite things to eat; I love how versatile it is and how social it can be like, can you beat having a night in with friends and a pizza? Absolutely not! Although I wouldn’t stray from the normal breddy and cheesey pizza because I’m not vegan and don’t need to cut out gluten, I do opt for vegetarian pizzas more often than not. I just prefer them, vegetables on a pizza are much nicer than meaty pizzas, I find!