Vegan Pizza with Tempeh Sausage

Serves: 2-3
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 35-40 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour if needed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Tempeh Sausage:

1 block tempeh (8 oz), crumbled
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Pizza:

1/2 cup tomato sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup vegan mozzarella cheese (shredded)
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pizza Dough:

In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until the yeast becomes frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring to combine into a dough.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until it doubles in size.

2. Prepare the Tempeh Sausage:

While the dough is rising, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Crumble the tempeh into the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown and crisp up.
Add the soy sauce, smoked paprika, fennel seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook for another 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Set aside.

3. Assemble the Pizza:

Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface to your desired thickness (a 12-inch pizza works well).
Transfer the rolled-out dough to a baking sheet or pizza stone lined with parchment paper.
Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the pizza dough.
Sprinkle the shredded vegan mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
Top with the prepared tempeh sausage, red onion slices, bell pepper slices, and mushrooms.

4. Bake the Pizza:

Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Once out of the oven, drizzle with a little olive oil and garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.

5. Serve:

Slice and enjoy your homemade Vegan Pizza with Tempeh Sausage!

Tips:

Dough Variation: You can use store-bought pizza dough if you’re short on time, or even gluten-free dough if needed.
Tempeh Tips: For a slightly softer tempeh texture, steam it for 10 minutes before crumbling and cooking. This helps to soften the tempeh and gives it a more sausage-like texture.
Toppings: Feel free to add any other pizza toppings you love, like olives, spinach, artichokes, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Make it Spicy: Add some chili flakes to the sauce or drizzle a bit of hot sauce on top after baking for extra heat!

This Vegan Pizza with Tempeh Sausage is a hearty, flavorful meal that makes the perfect homemade pizza night! The tempeh sausage brings savory, smoky flavors to the pizza, while the veggies and melty vegan cheese add the perfect finishing touch.