Vegan Ham and Cheese Pizza

Indulge in the ultimate plant-based comfort food with this Vegan Ham and Cheese Pizza, a delightful twist on a classic favorite that satisfies cravings without compromise. This recipe features a fluffy homemade pizza dough as the base, topped with a rich tomato sauce, creamy cashew cheese, and smoky tempeh ‘ham’ infused with soy sauce, maple syrup, and liquid smoke for an authentic flavor. Sliced olives add a savory touch, while fresh basil leaves provide a burst of freshness to each slice. With just 45 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of baking, this vegan pizza is perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just exploring plant-based options, this dairy-free, meat-free pizza will leave everyone at the table reaching for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Warm water
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 cup Raw cashews
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 cup Water for cashew cheese
• 8 ounces Tempeh
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
• 0.5 teaspoon Liquid smoke
• 0.5 cup Tomato sauce
• 0.25 cup Sliced olives
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the pizza dough: In a large bowl, combine 2.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 2.25 teaspoons of instant yeast, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Step 2

Add 1 cup of warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the dry ingredients, and mix until a dough begins to form.

Step 3

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

Step 5

For the vegan cheese sauce, soak 1 cup of raw cashews in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain and place them in a blender.

Step 6

Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, 0.5 teaspoon of garlic powder, 0.5 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 0.5 cup of water to the blender with the cashews. Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Step 7

Prepare the vegan 'ham': Slice 8 ounces of tempeh into thin strips.

Step 8

In a shallow dish, mix 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, and 0.5 teaspoon of liquid smoke. Marinate the tempeh strips in this mixture for at least 10 minutes.

Step 9

Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to heat.

Step 10

Roll out the risen dough onto a piece of parchment paper to your desired thickness.

Step 11

Spread 0.5 cup of tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small edge for the crust.

Step 12

Spread a generous amount of the cashew cheese sauce over the tomato sauce.

Step 13

Arrange the marinated tempeh strips and 0.25 cup of sliced olives evenly over the pizza.

Step 14

Carefully transfer the pizza on the parchment paper to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet.

Step 15

Bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden and cooked through.

Step 16

Remove from oven and garnish with 0.25 cup of fresh basil leaves before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1311.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2688.9

Total Fat 113.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4029.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 323.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.5g	0%
Total Sugars 28.6g
Protein 114.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 376.2mg	0%
Iron 31.9mg	0%
Potassium 2597.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.8%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 46.7%