I absolutely love sharing this recipe for The Best Vegan Frozen Pizza Recipe because it combines convenience with incredible flavor in a way that feels both homemade and satisfying. I’m always on the lookout for meals that can be prepped ahead of time and then enjoyed later without losing any of their fresh-baked magic. This vegan pizza is loaded with a delicious tempeh sausage topping, melty dairy-free cheese, and a perfectly crispy crust—all of which freeze wonderfully for whenever pizza cravings hit. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to keep these frozen pizzas stocked in your freezer for any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This The Best Vegan Frozen Pizza Recipe
What makes this recipe truly stand out for me is the amazing balance of flavors and textures. The homemade or store-bought vegan pizza dough crisps up beautifully in the oven, giving that perfect chewy yet crispy base that supports every other element on top. Then there’s the tempeh sausage, which I season with a fragrant mix of smoked paprika, liquid smoke, and herbs to mimic that familiar smoky, savory taste of traditional sausage. When paired with melty vegan mozzarella, it creates a pizza experience that feels indulgent and comforting, without any compromise on flavor.
Besides the flavor, I adore how straightforward the preparation is. You can make the tempeh sausage in just minutes while your dough rises, and the assembly is simple enough for a weekday yet special enough for entertaining. Freezing the pizzas after assembly allows you to bake them fresh whenever hunger strikes—no messy prep, and no sacrificing quality. It’s perfect for last-minute dinners, gatherings, or even just keeping a few ready-made slices for solo movie nights. I recommend this recipe to anyone who wants homemade vegan pizza without fuss or compromise.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for a few simple but essential ingredients, each contributing important flavor, texture, or color to your pizza. The dough forms the soft, chewy base; the sauce adds bright tomato richness; the vegan mozz gives that creamy melt; and the spiced tempeh sausage brings smoky, savory depth. It’s a straightforward list that keeps the pizza deliciously balanced.
- Vegan pizza dough: Whether homemade or store-bought, the foundation of your crispy yet tender crust.
- Pizza sauce: Use your favorite tomato sauce for that zesty tang and moisture.
- Vegan mozzarella (Daiya shreds recommended): Melts perfectly to give that classic cheesy texture.
- Tempeh: A hearty soy-based protein that soaks up all the smoky, savory seasonings.
- Olive oil: Helps with cooking the tempeh and adds richness.
- Soy sauce: Deepens the umami and adds subtle saltiness.
- Liquid smoke: Key for that authentic smoky sausage flavor.
- Dried herbs and spices: Parsley, smoked paprika, oregano, fennel, garlic powder, rosemary, black pepper, red pepper, and salt—for a complex and vibrant seasoning blend.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare your vegan pizza dough according to your preferred recipe instructions or use a store-bought dough. Allow it to go through its initial rise so it becomes light and airy.
Step 2: While the dough is rising, start making the tempeh sausage. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 3: Crumble the tempeh directly into the hot skillet. Pour in the soy sauce and liquid smoke, then sprinkle all the dried herbs and spices evenly over the tempeh crumbles. Toss everything together well.
Step 4: Reduce the heat as needed and sauté the tempeh mixture until golden brown and slightly crisp in spots—this usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool a bit.
Step 5: Once your dough has completed its first rise, divide it depending on your desired number of pizzas—four mini, two medium, or one large ball for a big pizza.
Step 6: Allow the dough pieces to rise for an additional 15-20 minutes to become puffy and soft again.
Step 7: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius).
Step 8: On a floured surface, roll or press the dough into circles of your chosen size. Place them on pizza pans lined with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
Step 9: Par-bake the crusts in the oven for 4 to 5 minutes until they just begin to set but are not browned. Remove and let cool.
Step 10: Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce over each crust, followed by a good sprinkle of vegan mozzarella. Top with your freshly cooked tempeh sausage or any other toppings you like.
Step 11: Place the pizzas uncovered in the freezer for approximately 2 hours to firm up, then wrap each pizza tightly in plastic wrap and freeze until you’re ready to bake.
Step 12: When ready to eat, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Bake your frozen pizza for 15-16 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese appears melted and bubbly.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 2 medium pizzas or 4 mini pizzas, perfect for sharing with family or saving leftovers for later. The prep time, including dough rising and tempeh sausage cooking, is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, although most of that is inactive rising time. The par-bake step takes about 5 minutes, then freezing for 2 hours to firm the pizza before wrapping. When you bake straight from frozen, it takes about 15 to 16 minutes. Overall, from start to finish, plan for roughly 3 to 4 hours if including freezing, or just under 2 hours without freezing for fresh pizza night.
How to Serve This The Best Vegan Frozen Pizza Recipe
I like to serve this vegan frozen pizza piping hot right out of the oven so that the crust is crisp, and the vegan cheese is delightfully melty. It pairs amazingly well with a fresh green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness of the pizza. Adding a side of roasted garlic broccoli or a simple cucumber salad adds freshness and crunch, which I love to complement the hearty tempeh topping.
For a finishing touch, I often sprinkle freshly chopped basil or oregano over the pizza just before serving to add an herbaceous pop of color and aroma. Drizzling a bit of chili oil or adding crushed red pepper flakes gives a nice kick if you enjoy some heat. As for drinks, I’m a fan of pairing this pizza with a crisp, chilled glass of vegan-friendly red wine like a Pinot Noir or a bright sparkling water with lemon if you want a non-alcoholic option.
This pizza is perfect for casual family dinners, weekend movie nights, or even a simple party food that everyone, vegan or not, will appreciate. I recommend serving it warm from the oven and slicing into about 6-8 pieces for sharing. The crust’s crispness and the sausage’s smoky flavor are best enjoyed fresh and hot, making each bite a little comforting celebration.
Variations
I love experimenting with this recipe by swapping out toppings and even tweaking the crust! For example, you can switch the tempeh sausage with seasoned mushrooms or vegan pepperoni for a different taste experience. If you prefer a gluten-free crust, I have found that most gluten-free pizza dough recipes work beautifully with these toppings, just keep an eye on bake time as gluten-free crusts can brown faster.
Flavor variations are super fun too! Adding caramelized onions, roasted bell peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes can really elevate the pizza. For a white pizza twist, skip the tomato sauce and use a garlic cashew cream base instead—still topping with the tempeh sausage for that smoky bite.
In terms of cooking method, while the oven is best for that crisp crust, I’ve also successfully reheated slices in a cast-iron skillet to crisp up the bottom quickly on the stove. Just add a pinch of water and cover briefly to warm the toppings without making the crust soggy. This makes it really versatile so you can enjoy The Best Vegan Frozen Pizza Recipe in whatever way suits your schedule.
Storage and Reheating
Storing Leftovers
If you end up with leftover slices, I recommend storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure the pizza has cooled completely before sealing it to avoid sogginess. Stored this way, leftovers keep their quality for about 3 to 4 days. I find stacking slices with parchment or wax paper between them prevents sticking and keeps serving hassle-free.
Freezing
This pizza freezes exceptionally well. Once you have assembled and par-baked the crusts, and added toppings, freeze the pizzas uncovered for about 2 hours. Then wrap each pizza tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to protect from freezer burn. Properly wrapped, they can be kept frozen for up to 2 months. When you want a quick meal, just pull one out and bake directly from frozen for best results.
Reheating
The best way to reheat leftover or frozen pizza is in a preheated oven or toaster oven at about 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the pizza directly on a baking sheet or pizza stone to ensure the crust crisps up nicely. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this tends to make the crust chewy or soggy. If you’re short on time, reheating in a skillet with a lid works well to warm the toppings while keeping the base crisp. This helps restore that fresh-from-the-oven taste and texture.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time for The Best Vegan Frozen Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it during the first rise. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping and continue with the recipe. This makes prepping your pizzas super convenient.
Is tempeh sausage the only topping option for this vegan frozen pizza?
Not at all! While tempeh sausage adds a fantastic smoky flavor and protein boost, you can use any vegan toppings you like, such as veggies, vegan pepperoni, mushrooms, or olives. The recipe is flexible to suit your tastes.
Do I really need to par-bake the crust before adding toppings?
Par-baking the crust helps ensure it doesn’t get soggy under the sauce and toppings, especially since the pizza freezes before baking. It also makes for a nice crispier crust when you bake it fully later on.
Can I skip freezing and bake the pizza fresh instead?
Yes! You can assemble the pizza and bake immediately at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12-15 minutes until golden and bubbly. Freezing is just for make-ahead convenience.
What’s the best vegan cheese to use for this pizza?
I recommend Daiya shreds or any good melting vegan mozzarella alternative. The cheese should melt well but also hold up in the freezer and during reheating to give that gooey texture we all love.
Conclusion
I can’t recommend The Best Vegan Frozen Pizza Recipe enough if you’re craving that perfect slice of pizza that fits your busy lifestyle and plant-based choices. It’s flavorful, crispy, and totally customizable, plus freezing it ahead means dinner or snack time is always taken care of. I hope you enjoy making and savoring this recipe as much as I do—it really feels like a homemade treat whenever I pull one from the oven!
PrintThe Best Vegan Frozen Pizza Recipe
This recipe guides you through making the best vegan frozen pizza featuring a homemade or store-bought vegan dough topped with savory tempeh sausage and dairy-free mozzarella. It’s perfect for meal prepping and quick future meals with delicious flavor and satisfying textures.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours including dough rising and freezing times
- Yield: 4 mini pizzas or 2 medium pizzas or 1 large pizza
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 Batch vegan pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
Pizza Sauce
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce, homemade or store-bought
Vegan Cheese
- 8 oz vegan mozzarella shreds (such as Daiya)
Vegan Tempeh Sausage
- 15 oz tempeh
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare Pizza Dough: Make the pizza dough following your chosen recipe or use a store-bought batch. Allow it to go through its first rise completely.
- Make Tempeh Sausage: While dough rises, heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the tempeh into the skillet. Pour soy sauce and liquid smoke over it, then evenly sprinkle all the dried herbs and spices. Toss to combine thoroughly.
- Sauté Tempeh: Cook the tempeh mixture, adjusting heat as needed, until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Divide Dough: Once the dough’s first rise is complete, divide it into your preferred size (4 mini, 2 medium, or 1 large pizza). Allow the divided dough to rise an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Crust: Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Roll or press dough on a floured surface into rounds and place on sprayed pizza pans.
- Par-bake Crust: Bake crusts for 4-5 minutes to par-bake. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Assemble Pizza: Spread pizza sauce evenly over cooled crusts, sprinkle with vegan mozzarella, then top with the tempeh sausage mixture or other desired toppings.
- Freeze Pizzas: Place assembled pizzas uncovered in the freezer for about 2 hours, then wrap each pizza tightly in plastic wrap and store in freezer until ready to use.
- Bake from Frozen: When ready to eat, preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Bake frozen pizza for 15-16 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.
Notes
- You can customize toppings beyond tempeh sausage to suit your preference.
- Par-baking the crust prevents sogginess when baking from frozen later.
- If using store-bought dough or sauce, check ingredients to ensure they are vegan.
- Tempeh sausage can be prepared ahead and used as a versatile topping or ingredient in other vegan dishes.
- Allowing pizzas to partially freeze uncovered before wrapping helps prevent freezer burn.
- Adjust oven rack position to middle for even baking.