This delightful summer squash veggie pizza is a perfect way to enjoy the bounty of the season. With a crispy crust, savory tomato sauce, and a colorful array of fresh vegetables, this pizza is both delicious and nutritious. It's an easy and quick meal that brings the vibrant flavors of summer right to your table.
If you don't usually keep zucchini or yellow squash in your kitchen, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. These vegetables are typically found in the produce section. Additionally, make sure you have dried oregano and dried basil in your spice rack, as they add essential flavor to the pizza.
Ingredients for 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.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
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.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
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.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Pizza
How to Store or Freeze This 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.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the leftover pizza on a baking sheet.
- Cover the pizza loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from becoming too hard.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before enjoying.
Skillet Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Place the leftover pizza in the skillet.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt evenly.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the skillet and serve hot.
Microwave Method:
- Place a microwave-safe plate in the microwave.
- Put a cup of water in the microwave alongside the pizza to keep it from drying out.
- Heat on high for about 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pizza is heated through.
- Let it sit for a minute before eating to avoid burning your mouth.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the leftover pizza directly on the toaster oven rack or on a baking sheet.
- Heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
- Remove carefully and let it cool slightly before serving.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover pizza in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
- Remove from the air fryer and let it cool slightly before enjoying.
Best Tools for This Recipe
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.
How to Save Time on Making This Pizza
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.
Summer Squash Veggie Pizza
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large pizza crust pre-made or homemade
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 medium zucchini sliced
- 1 medium yellow squash sliced
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza crust.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Arrange the zucchini, yellow squash, and red onion slices on top of the cheese.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the veggies and sprinkle with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, slice, and serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Pizza
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