Make Your Own Dairy-Free Pizza

Tried and True Pizza

Marinara sauce, fresh basil, and a little olive oil are classic for a reason. You can top with dairy-free cheese such as soy cheese or rice cheese if you have a favorite brand.

Pesto Pizza

In the summer, basil is easy to find and an easy way to sneak healthy food into kids' diets. Making dairy-free pesto is simple. Here's how:

1. Combine equal parts torn basil and toasted pine nuts with one finely minced clove of garlic in a food processor or using a mortar and pestle.
2. Add olive oil in a thin drizzle until the mixture forms a thick paste.
3. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Pesto is rich enough to stand up to many toppings and it's great with mushrooms or sausage.

Fresh Shellfish Pizza

For an elegant and unusual dairy-free pizza variation, try pizza alle vongole veraci, a cheese-free pizza with fresh or canned clams, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. To prepare:

1. If using fresh clams, warm the clams in a skillet with a little olive oil, 2 cloves of sliced garlic, 1/4 cup minced parsley, and 2 teaspoons of fresh minced thyme until they open.
2. Spread either fresh or canned chopped tomatoes over the crust.
3. Add a little salt and a drizzle of olive oil to the crust.
4. Cook for 20 minutes in a 450 F oven.
5. Spread the clams over the crust and cook for another 5 minutes.

Caution: Discard any fresh clams that didn't open when warmed.

White Pizza

Fresh Roma tomatoes, garlic, basil leaves, and either olive oil or a dairy-free white sauce are another classic combination. If you choose the white sauce, you'll have the rich feel of dairy without the actual allergen.

Pizza alla Bismarck

For a truly unexpected pizza, try cheese-free pizza alla Bismarck, which is served with an egg cracked over the top. Virtually any filling that would make a good omelet—ham, olives, peppers, onions—is a good choice to top this pizza.

Hummus Pizza

Go Middle Eastern with this thick chickpea spread. Hummus is an especially good choice for vegetarian pizzas. Try cheeseless hummus pizza or create your own combination of toppings. You can use premade hummus from a jar or a deli or make homemade hummus in a matter of minutes.

Barbecue Pizza

Barbecue sauce on a pizza? Why not? Dairy-free artichoke pizza is one tasty option for trying this unexpected topping, or you can add your own flavor—caramelized onions, grilled chicken, or roasted red peppers are all great options.

Fruit Pizza

If you're looking for the crispy-chewy texture of pizza, why not try a fruit pizza made with vegan cream cheese? Fruit pizzas are kid-friendly and can take advantage of whatever happens to be in season—berries in summer, apples, and pears in the fall.