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Try This Spiced Tandoori Vegetarian Pizza Recipe

Tandoori Vegetarian Pizza Recipe

A vibrant and flavorful vegetarian pizza featuring vegetables marinated in a fragrant tandoori spice blend, baked to perfection with gooey mozzarella cheese.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian Fusion
Calories: 525

Ingredients
  

For the Tandoori Marinade
  • 150 g full-fat Greek yoghurt
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cm piece of fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/4 tsp red chilli powder or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp salt
For the Toppings & Assembly
  • 1 large red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 large bell pepper any colour, deseeded and sliced
  • 1 large courgette sliced into rounds
  • 2 large pizza bases store-bought or homemade
  • 150 g tomato passata or pizza sauce
  • 250 g mozzarella cheese grated or torn
  • A handful of fresh coriander chopped, to garnish
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Method
 

  1. Preheat Your Oven: First things first, get your oven heating up. Set it to 220°C (200°C fan) and place a baking tray or pizza stone inside to get screaming hot. This is crucial for a crispy base.
  2. Make the Tandoori Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Greek yoghurt, minced garlic, grated ginger, lemon juice, garam masala, smoked paprika, cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, chilli powder, and salt. Stir everything together until you have a smooth, fragrant, and vibrant paste.
  3. Marinate the Vegetables: Add the sliced red onion, bell pepper, and courgette to the bowl with the marinade. Use a spatula or your hands to toss everything together, ensuring every piece of vegetable is thoroughly coated. Set aside to marinate for at least 20 minutes at room temperature.
  4. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the marinated vegetables and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they have softened slightly and have a few charred spots. This pre-cooking step stops the pizza from becoming soggy. I find that this step makes a huge difference to the final texture.
  5. Prepare the Pizza Bases: While the vegetables are cooking, place your pizza bases on a piece of baking parchment. Spread a thin, even layer of tomato passata over each base, leaving a small border around the edge for the crust.
  6. Add the Toppings: Sprinkle about half of the mozzarella cheese directly onto the tomato sauce. Next, arrange the cooked tandoori vegetables evenly over the cheese. Finish by scattering the remaining mozzarella over the top of the vegetables.
  7. Bake the Pizza: Carefully slide the pizzas (on their parchment paper) onto the preheated baking tray or pizza stone in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, bubbling, and has a few golden spots.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizzas from the oven. Let them rest for a minute before scattering over the fresh, chopped coriander. Slice and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

For an extra kick, add some sliced green chillies with the vegetables. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.