Piza is often a favorite food of the young and old. What’s not to like with a variety of delicious crusts, sauces, and toppings but, can vegetarians and vegans eat pizza?
Pizza is often vegetarian but, it may not be depending on the ingredients used to make to cheeses used as toppings. Vegans on the other hand can not consume dairy-based cheese and will need to enjoy a cheerless pizza or one with vegan cheese.
Table of Contents
Is Pizza Considered Vegetarian
Pizza is often considered a vegetarian food but, it will depend on the specific vegetarian diet that you follow and the exact ingredients included in the pizza.
Is Pizza A Vegan Food
Pizza can be vegan friendly but, the majority of traditionally made pizzas with a crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings are not vegan-friendly.
That said there are plenty of vegan toppings and cheeses available to create vegan pizzas.
Unfortunately, not every pizza restaurant will have vegan ingredients available.
Why Wouldn’t Pizza Be Vegetarian
The toppings on a pizza are usually the main reason why a pizza would not be vegetarian-friendly.
Besides the obvious meat options like sausage, ham, bacon, and popular pepperoni, cheese can sometimes be hiding non-vegetarian ingredients.
Even if a vegetarian eats cheese there are some unsettling ingredients used in cheese making that vegetarians avoid consuming.
What Types Of Vegetarians Eat Cheese
There are many different types of vegetarians including some that eat cheese and some that do not.
The types of vegetarians that still consume cheese include.
- Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian
- Lacto Vegetarian
- Pescatarian
- Flexitarian
- Plant-Based
What Ingredients In Pizza Aren’t Vegan
Pizza often includes many non-vegan ingredients like meat-based toppings and cheese.
Besides the toppings, you will sometime discover dairy products hiding in the pizza crust like cheese, butter, and eggs.
How Can Vegans Enjoy Pizza
The majority of pizza restaurants will be able to make cheeseless vegan pizza with crust, sauce, and vegetable toppings.
At some pizza restaurants, you may even have to the option of including vegan cheese.
Of course, if you make your vegan pizza at home you can make it just as you like it.
Is Mozzarella Cheese On Pizza Vegetarian
Mozzarella cheese is often vegetarian friendly but, there are some brands of mozzarella cheese that use traditional methods to make their cheese that do not include vegetarian-friendly ingredients.
You will need to look closely at the ingredients to discover if animal-derived rennet has been used.
Is Mozzarella Cheese Vegetarian?
Can You Get Vegan Mozzarella Cheese
There are many different vegan mozzarella cheese brands on the market.
Some of my favorites include.
- Violife Mozzarella Shreds
- Good Planet Plant-Based Mozzarella Shreds
- Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Shreds And Slices
Can Vegetarians Have Parmesean Cheese On Their Pizza
It will depend on how the Parmesean cheese is made whether it is a vegetarian topping or not.
Traditionally made Parmeseas cheeses use an ingredient called rennet that is derived from animals making it off-limits for vegetarians and vegans.
To be safe most vegetarians avoid Parmesean cheese on their pizzas.
Is Pecorino Cheese Vegetarian?
Can You Get Vegan Parmesan Cheese
Luckily, there are many vegan “parmesan kinds of cheese” that you can buy and enjoy at home.
Does Pizza Sauce Have Meat In It
The classic red tomato-based pizza sauce does not have meat in it.
The most traditional style pizza sauces usually only contain fresh san Marzano tomatoes.
You may also find tomato-based pizza sauces including many Italian herbs and spices like basil, oregano, red pepper and onion, and garlic powder.
Is White Pizza Sauce Vegetarian
White pizza sauce is often made with milk, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper.
It will depend on if the parmesan cheese used contains animal-derived rennet.
It can be difficult to find out when ordering a white pizza at a restaurant.
It may be best to make your white pizza at home with safe ingredients.
Is White Pizza Sauce Vegan
The majority of white pizza sauces are not vegan since they contain multiple dairy products.
It is possible to make your own vegan white pizza sauce using vegan replacements and substitutes at home.
Can Vegetarians Eat Pepperoni Pizza
Vegetarians can not eat classic pepperoni pizza since pepperoni is made from animals.
If you are purchasing your pizza from a vegetarian or vegan restaurant you may find vegan and vegetarian-friendly pepperoni on the menu.
In most cases, you will need to make your vegetarian pepperoni pizza at home.
Is Vegan Pepperoni Available As A Pizza Topping
Vegan pepperoni is really found as an ingredient option in pizza restaurants unless the restaurant specializes in vegan food.
You are able to buy vegan pepperoni for your own pizza creations at home.
Final Thoughts
Pizza is often a go-to food for vegetarians, it’s also a great way for vegetarians and meat-eaters to enjoy a meal together at a restaurant.
You do need to still be aware that not all pizza ingredients are vegetarian or vegan friendly.
You will need to look closely at what is in the cheese and select suitable toppings to enjoy.
