Summer Squash Veggie Pizza Recipe

Pizza crust: The base of your pizza, which can be pre-made or homemade.

Tomato sauce: Provides the savory foundation for the toppings.

Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully to create a gooey, delicious layer.

Zucchini: Adds a fresh, slightly sweet flavor and a bit of crunch.

Yellow squash: Complements the zucchini with its mild taste and vibrant color.

Red onion: Offers a sharp, tangy contrast to the other vegetables.

Olive oil: Enhances the flavor of the veggies and helps them roast beautifully.

Dried oregano: Adds a classic Italian herb flavor.

Dried basil: Complements the oregano with its sweet, aromatic notes.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the pizza.

Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the overall taste.

When preparing the zucchini and yellow squash, use a mandoline slicer to achieve uniformly thin slices. This ensures even cooking and a visually appealing presentation. Additionally, lightly salting the squash slices and letting them sit for a few minutes before adding them to the pizza can help draw out excess moisture, preventing a soggy crust.

• pizza crust - Substitute with cauliflower crust: Cauliflower crust is a low-carb and gluten-free alternative that still provides a crispy base for your pizza.

• tomato sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto sauce offers a fresh, herby flavor that pairs well with summer vegetables.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese adds a tangy and creamy texture that complements the veggies.

• zucchini - Substitute with eggplant: Eggplant has a similar texture and can absorb flavors well, making it a good alternative.

• yellow squash - Substitute with bell peppers: Bell peppers add a sweet and crunchy element to the pizza, providing a different but delightful texture.

• red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to red onions.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a versatile substitute.

• dried oregano - Substitute with fresh thyme: Fresh thyme provides a more vibrant and aromatic flavor compared to dried oregano.

• dried basil - Substitute with fresh basil: Fresh basil offers a more intense and aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the pizza.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a more complex flavor profile and can enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• pepper - Substitute with crushed red pepper flakes: Crushed red pepper flakes add a bit of heat and extra flavor to the pizza.

• Allow the pizza to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
• For short-term storage, place the pizza slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• To freeze, first, flash-freeze the pizza slices by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freezing for about 1-2 hours. This prevents the slices from sticking together.
• Once the slices are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• When ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the frozen pizza slices directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
• Alternatively, reheat in a microwave by placing a slice on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
• For the best texture, avoid reheating in a toaster oven as it may dry out the crust and veggies.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the leftover pizza on a baking sheet.
  3. Cover the pizza loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from becoming too hard.
  4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before enjoying.

• Skillet Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place the leftover pizza in the skillet.
  3. Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt evenly.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
  5. Remove from the skillet and serve hot.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a microwave-safe plate in the microwave.
  2. Put a cup of water in the microwave alongside the pizza to keep it from drying out.
  3. Heat on high for about 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pizza is heated through.
  4. Let it sit for a minute before eating to avoid burning your mouth.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the leftover pizza directly on the toaster oven rack or on a baking sheet.
  3. Heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
  4. Remove carefully and let it cool slightly before serving.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover pizza in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
  4. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool slightly before enjoying.

• Oven: used to bake the pizza at the specified temperature until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

• Pizza stone or baking sheet: provides a surface to place the pizza crust on for baking.

• Pizza cutter: used to slice the pizza into serving pieces once it is baked.

• Cutting board: provides a stable surface for slicing the zucchini, yellow squash, and red onion.

• Chef's knife: used for slicing the vegetables thinly and evenly.

• Measuring cups: used to measure out the tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese accurately.

• Tablespoon: used to measure the olive oil.

• Teaspoon: used to measure the dried oregano and dried basil.

• Spatula or spoon: used to spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza crust.

• Mixing bowl: optional, can be used to toss the sliced vegetables with olive oil and seasonings before arranging them on the pizza.

• Cooling rack: used to place the pizza on after baking to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Use pre-sliced veggies: Save time by purchasing pre-sliced zucchini, yellow squash, and red onion from the store.

Pre-made crust: Opt for a pre-made pizza crust to skip the dough preparation step.

Batch prep: Slice extra veggies and store them for future use.

Quick sauce: Use a jarred tomato sauce to avoid making it from scratch.

Efficient oven use: Preheat the oven while assembling the pizza to save time.