Pesto Seitan Pizza

Nut-free option, Soy-free option

This pizza has a pesto base and is topped with our vegan Mozzarella shreds, Steamed Seitan—a great substitute for chicken—and a drizzle of marinara. It has a vegan butter garlic crust, which puts it over the top. Serve it with our Garlic Knots and Simple Ranch Salad. This recipe only needs a half batch of Pizza Dough; if you’d like to use up a whole batch, make two of these pizzas or pair this with BBQ Seitan Pizza.

Pesto Seitan Pizza is a delectable and flavorful twist on traditional pizza, featuring a combination of aromatic pesto, savory seitan, and vegan cheese on a crispy crust. This pizza brings together a variety of tastes and textures to create a satisfying and enjoyable culinary experience.

The foundation of this pizza is the dough, which is stretched out into a round shape and serves as the canvas for the flavorful toppings. A layer of vibrant vegan pesto is spread over the dough, infusing it with the bold flavors of basil, garlic, and nuts. The pesto acts as a fragrant base that sets the stage for the other ingredients to shine.

One of the highlights of this pizza is the seitan, a protein-rich meat substitute that adds a hearty and satisfying element to the dish. Chopped into bite-sized pieces, the steamed seitan creates a savory contrast to the bright flavors of the pesto and complements the creamy vegan mozzarella cheese that blankets the pizza.

To enhance the pizza’s complexity, a drizzle of marinara sauce adds a touch of acidity and additional depth of flavor. This sauce harmonizes with the other ingredients, contributing a well-rounded taste profile.

After a brief stint in the oven, the pizza emerges with a golden-brown crust that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. A final touch of melted vegan butter and garlic salt is brushed onto the outer crust, infusing it with a subtle richness and enhancing the overall aroma of the dish.

When sliced into wedges, each bite offers a symphony of tastes, from the herbaceous notes of the pesto to the satisfying chewiness of the seitan and the familiar comfort of melted vegan cheese. Pesto Seitan Pizza is a culinary delight that appeals to both plant-based eaters and those looking to explore new flavors and textures. Whether enjoyed as a weeknight dinner, a weekend indulgence, or shared with friends, this pizza is sure to impress with its delightful combination of tastes and textures.

PREP TIME: 15 minutes, plus prep time for Pizza Dough and Steamed Seitan

COOK TIME: 15 minutes

YIELD: 8 slices

INGREDIENTS:

• Olive oil, for pan
• ½ batch Pizza Dough
• ¼ cup (60 g) vegan Pesto or store-bought (nut-free if needed)
• 1 cup (113 g) vegan Mozzarella shreds (here) or store-bought (nut-free and/or soy-free if needed)
• 4 oz (113 g) Steamed Seitan, chopped into ½” (1.3-cm) pieces (soy-free if needed)
• ¼ cup (60 g) vegan marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp (14 g) vegan butter, melted (nut-free and/or soy-free if needed)
• 1 tsp Garlic Salt or store-bought

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a 12-inch (30-cm) round pan with the oil.
2. Using your hands, stretch out the dough into a 12-inch (30-cm) circle with a slightly thicker outer crust and carefully place on the prepared pan.
3. Spread the pesto evenly over the dough, leaving the thicker edge of the crust bare.
4. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the pesto.
5. Evenly sprinkle the seitan pieces on top.
6. Drizzle the marinara sauce on top.
7. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
8. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and garlic salt.
9. Once the pizza is out of the oven, brush the butter mixture on the outer crust of the pizza.
10. Let cool for about 3 minutes. Place on a cutting board, slice into eight slices and serve.