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Having pizza night this week? Trying whipping up this deliciously light vegan pesto pizza! This pizza recipe is incredibly fresh and flavorful thanks to the roasted tomatoes, homemade vegan parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and pumpkin seed pesto. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make at home, making it perfect for a quick weekday dinner or a special weekend treat.
Being Italian, I am a HUGE pizza lover. Growing up, my dad made pizza on a weekly basis– a thin, chewy crust with pesto or a light red sauce and a handful of toppings on top. It’s still my most requested meal from my dad when we go visit him. It’s no wonder that we make pizza, like my Puttanesca Pizza, often.
I know I’m spoiled by my Italian family, but it’s actually really easy to replicate it at home. The key to making delicious pizza is simplicity.
I love to make this pesto pizza and probably make it at least once or twice a month. It is just that good and that easy to make. It is also a much healthier option than any frozen or take-out pizzas and won’t leave you feeling weighed down.
You can easily knock out this recipe in just 40 minutes total since we are using a premade pizza crust in this recipe. It tastes just as good as a homemade crust and makes this recipe twice as easy to make!
Note: For a complete list of ingredients and instructions on how to make this red pepper sauce recipe, keep scrolling down until you see the recipe card!
Traditionally, pesto is made with parmesan cheese, but this pesto is totally vegan! To mimic the umami flavor of parmesan cheese, I rely on my homemade parmesan with cashews, almonds, and nutritional yeast.
The coolest thing about pesto is that you really don’t even need a recipe. Just a seed/nut, herb or other green, fresh garlic, salt and a glug or two of oil.
On the blog alone, I have 3 delicious pesto recipes made with different types of herbs and nuts.
Proof that even without basil, pesto is still amazing!
If you are going to use store-bought pesto, then be sure to read the label on each jar. Some favorite brands include:
One last thing to chat about–pizza dough. I live by Trader Joe’s handmade dough because it’s perfection.
Sure, I could make my own and I sometimes do when I want to be extra fancy, but it’s honestly not needed. TJ’s makes the best pizza dough and it comes in three flavors: white, whole-wheat, and herb.
Whole-wheat is usually my favorite, but the herb one is also fantastic, especially on pizzas like this! If you like trying different pizza doughs, then you will love TJ’s.
If you don’t live near Trader Joe’s (and for that, I am really sorry), then either use a homemade crust or another brand. Whole Food’s market also has a great premade pizza dough, though it’s double the price of Trader Joe’s. Or, you can check with your local pizza places because they often have dough that they will sell.
Even though I love gooey, cheesy pizza, there is something really fun about creating a vegan pizza. Almost a double-dog-dare-ya to myself. Can I make a pizza that’s just as good without the cheese? Challenge accepted and won!
This vegan pesto pizza is a delicious pizza that anyone would enjoy, vegan or not! It is full of flavor and tastes deliciously fresh and light, unlike other types of cheese pizzas.
It doesn’t take hardly any time at all to whip up and only requires a bit of prep work, making it a great option to help you avoid ordering out pizza.
The key to this pizza is thin slices of tomatoes that caramelize on top of the pesto and a generous shake of my vegan cheese mix.
To do this, pulse the ingredients together and keep a jar of it in the freezer for whenever you need a bit of cheesy flavor. I prefer the freezer so it doesn’t go bad and can be kept in a bigger batch. But, it will also keep in the fridge for a few weeks.
I love this stuff! It’s my secret weapon in quite a few of the vegan recipes in my cookbook, and no one knows the difference. It tastes like parmesan, but is more heart-healthy!
For the full steps, be sure to scroll down to the recipe card.
This vegan pizza is delicious and light while still being hearty enough to leave you feeling full and satisfied.
I love to eat this pizza all on its own but, it’s also great alongside a refreshing side salad. This Italian chopped salad or my DK house salad are both great options that are full of flavor.
If you try this recipe, then let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge. I absolutely love seeing your creations. Finally, happy cooking! This recipe was first published in 2016 and updated in 2022.
PrintThis healthy vegan pesto pizza recipe is rich with robust flavors from roasted tomatoes, homemade vegan parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and pumpkin seed pesto. If you’re looking for quick, easy, and delicious, then you will love this pesto pizza!
Pumpkin Seed Pesto:
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(28 comments) leave a comment
Would this work with only almonds and no cashews? We have a cashew allergy in our house. Thanks!
It should, yes!
I’m sorry if this has already been asked and answered, but is there something I could substitute the oil with? Or leave it out? Thank you!
Hi Katelin– you can substitute with broth or water.
I hate the idea of Veganism. It’s a pain in my a**. The only reason I put up with it is because I love my wife.
This recipe was probably the best thing I’ve made since she jumped on the vegan train.
I give it 4 stars because it needs dairy.
Hope my 2 cents counts for something.
★★★★
Ha! Thanks Ben. I’d also recommend these that “vegan haters” tend to like: https://www.delishknowledge.com/vegan-chili-cheese-dip/ and https://www.delishknowledge.com/peanut-tofu-buddha-bowl/
The best PESTO I’ve ever had
★★★★★
Just made this for dinner. It was super easy and delicious! Thank you!
★★★★★
So glad you liked it!
Hi! I am looking forward to trying this recipe tonight! I was wondering if you had the nutrition facts on this recipe? I am using MyFitnessPal and would like to be able to put it into the food diary. Thank you so much!
Hi Emilee! Awesome- hope you like it! I don’t have the nutrition facts for the recipe, but you should be able to plug in the ingredients into MyFitnessPal.
Great! Thank you!
Newbie question – For the vegan parm – do I soak the raw cashews before using for this recipe?
Hi Wendy! No need to soak the cashews before hand.
Haven’t tried the Parmesan recipe but am going to! Is it necessary that the almonds don’t have skins? I’m ok if it’s not white like Parmesan but is there another reason to use slivers versus whole non-skinned almonds?
Hi Debbie! Hope you love the parmesan recipe as much as I do 🙂 I use blanched almonds for color, but it should’t change the taste. Let me know how it works out using regular almonds!
Hey Alex! Planning to make this gorgeous simple pizza this weekend with an arugla salad for a dinner party on the patio. It is perfect, just what I was looking for, can’t wait to try that pesto! I am so in love with your vegan parm recipe!! Do you know if I make a bunch of this to keep on hand (parm) will it keep? If so whats the best way…fridge…pantry? Thanks!!
Yes! I make a batch of it and keep the rest in a mason jar in the freezer. It’s good for 6 months (ish) in the freezer.
Absolutely delicious! Made this for my husband, and the Priest of our church. They both kept saying how delicous it was. It is also very filling.
★★★★★
Thanks Grace! So glad you liked it!