Pizza without cheese? Many people might scoff or turn their nose up at the very notion of making pizza with vegan cheese. Cheeseless pizza makes fantastic vegan options, and it's still a very tasty type of pizza.

Pizza is not always better with melted cheese on top, even though we expect it to be served this way. For the lactose intolerants, vegans, and cheese haters out there, pizza with cheese can actually be extremely unappetizing. But when a pizza is made without cheese, it is often viewed as some kind of lesser form of pizza or not really pizza at all, which isn't true.

You only have to visit a vegan friendly restaurant to see some delicious cheesiness pizza options on the vegan menu. Often these options will be brimming with fresh veg like green peppers or any bell peppers actually! Red onions, black olives, green olives and cherry tomatoes. Sometimes you’ll find meat alternatives such as vegan pepperoni, vegan bacon, vegan chicken and even vegan sausage but beyond meat, there are lots of options and all are delicious.

Pizza doesn't need cheese to be called ‘pizza’ although adding your own vegan cheeses is an alternative way to eat it. According to AmericanHeritage.com which explores the history of pizza, the modern pizza, which originated in Italy, did not have cheese on top. Although oils, herbs, and cheese were used by the Greeks as toppings on plain bread since around 400 BC, the cheese we know on pizzas today didn't become the main topping until 1889.

two cheesiness vegan pizzas with tomato and basil on delicious cooked dough — Credit: Unsplash

Cheeseless Pizza Not Just For Vegans

Cheeseless pizza is not just for those who don't eat cheese. It's a happy middle ground where all pizza lovers can meet and enjoy a slice together. Cheeseless pizza is just a variation of the delicious food many enjoy. If you've never had pizza without cheese before, you might be surprised at how much you like it.

Vegan pizza options are plentiful and if you don’t like the sound of this recipe, try topping your dough with daiya cheese, roasted red peppers, fresh basil, kalamata olives, tomato sauce, caramelized onions and Roma tomatoes. Add caramelised onions and vegan feta for something a bit different, and if you really don’t want to miss out on cheese or try vegan mozzarella cheese.

Vegan Pizza Recipe: Artichoke Hearts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Garlic Recipe

Below is also a recipe for a vegan pizza dough made with spelt flour. It is possible to substitute other types of flours (preferable whole wheat) if spelt flour isn't on hand. Using this spelt flour recipe, you can make your own pizza crust that will satisfy hunger after just a few pieces. Also, spelt flour is often easily digested by people with gluten sensitivities.

Things You'll Need

Oven
12 to 15 inch circular pizza pans or pizza stones
1 Mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Fork
Rolling pin

Ingredients for Spelt Pizza Dough

Dry

3 cups spelt flour
2 tablespoons cane sugar
18 g package of baker's yeast
1 teaspoon seasalt

Wet

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup of warm water

Artichoke Hearts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Garlic Topping Recipe

Ingredients

* 1 tablespoons olive oil

* 1 onion (red or yellow)

* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

* 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

* 1 398 ml can of artichoke hearts

* 1 270 ml jar of sundried tomatoes

* 5 cloves of minced garlic

How to Make Vegan Pizza Dough

Directions: Turn oven to 400° F (175° C) for 20 to 25 minutes; makes 1 large thick crust pizza or 2 smaller thin-crust pizzas if the dough is cut in half.

1. Add 2 cups of spelt flour and the rest of the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix.

2. Place the third cup of spelt aside for now.

3. Add oil and warm water to dry ingredients.

4. Mix ingredients together with a fork before adding half of the third cup of spelt flour.

5. Put the fork aside and need the dough with the heel of the palm, pulling the far side of the dough towards the closest side and pressing firmly into the middle of the dough.

6. Kneed dough for 3 to 5 minutes, adding the remainder of the spelt flour as the dough becomes sticky.

7. Wet a small towel and place it over the bowl.

8. Place dough in a warm area for half an hour to an hour to allow it to rise.

9. Once the dough has risen, remove the towel and need a few more times.

10. Sprinkle a bit of flour on a clean surface and begin rolling the dough into a large thin circle (for thin crust pizza bread, cut dough in half and make two loaves of bread).

11. When the dough is about the size of the pan, place it on the greased pan and spread topping out on top of it evenly.

How to Make an Artichoke Hearts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Garlic Recipe Pizza Topping

1. Julienne the red or white onion, cut the artichoke hearts and sundried tomatoes into thin strips, and place in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add salt, pepper, minced garlic, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly and pour evenly over rolled out pizza dough on a pizza pan.

3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Cut into small or large pieces and serve. This vegan pizza makes a fabulous appetizer or snack. Serve it with a salad of romaine lettuce and fresh spinach, dressed with vegan ranch, balsamic vinaigrette, or pesto sauce.