Vegetarian Pizza Ideas: Toppings, Cheese and Combinations to Try
Meat-free does not mean flavour-free. Try these vegetarian pizza combinations, topping tips and cheese ideas for your next order.
A good vegetarian pizza is not just a pizza with the meat left off. The best ones are built on purpose, with toppings chosen for flavour, texture and balance. Whether you are vegetarian, cutting back on meat or ordering for a mixed group, these ideas will help you put together a meat-free pizza that everyone wants a slice of.
Meat-free does not mean flavour-free: mix something savoury, something sweet and something fresh.
How to Build Flavour Without Meat
Meat toppings bring salt, richness and a savoury depth. To get the same satisfaction from vegetables, combine toppings that cover these flavours:
- Savoury depth: mushrooms, olives and tomatoes.
- Sweetness: onions, pineapple and roasted red peppers.
- Saltiness: olives and feta.
- Heat: hot peppers and chili peppers.
- Crunch and freshness: green peppers and onions.
Pick one or two toppings from a few of these groups and you will have a pizza that tastes complete.
Vegetable Toppings and What They Add
These vegetarian toppings are all on the fresh topping list at Franko's 12 Buck Pizza:
| Topping | What it adds | Pairs well with |
|---|---|---|
| Mushrooms | Earthy, savoury flavour | Onions, green peppers, olives |
| Green peppers | Crunch and a fresh, slightly bitter note | Onions, mushrooms, tomatoes |
| Onions | Sweetness that deepens as it cooks | Almost everything |
| Tomatoes | Juicy freshness | Olives, onions, feta |
| Black olives | Rich, salty bite | Tomatoes, onions, feta |
| Green olives | Sharper, briny tang | Mushrooms, onions |
| Pineapple | Sweet, juicy contrast | Hot peppers, onions |
| Hot peppers | Bright heat | Pineapple, mushrooms |
| Chili peppers | A stronger kick | Onions, olives |
Artichokes and roasted red peppers also appear on our Mediterranean specialty pizza. See the full list in the pizza section of our menu.
Vegetarian Combinations to Try
The garden classic
Mushrooms, green peppers, onions and tomatoes. Familiar, colourful and a safe bet for a group.
Mediterranean-style
Black olives, tomatoes and onions, with feta added for a salty, tangy finish.
Sweet heat
Pineapple with hot peppers. The sweetness and the heat play off each other, and onions round it out.
Olive lover's
Black and green olives with tomatoes and onions. Bold and briny.
Spicy veggie
Mushrooms, onions, hot peppers and chili peppers, for anyone who likes their vegetables with a kick.
Franko's Mediterranean specialty
Our Mediterranean pizza has a pesto sauce base with marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, red onions, black olives, tomatoes and feta. None of its listed toppings are meat (chicken is an optional add-on). If you follow a strict vegetarian diet, ask us about the ingredients in the pesto and cheeses, as some cheeses are made with animal rennet.
Cheese Options
Cheese ties a vegetarian pizza together, so it is worth thinking about:
- Double cheese helps hold a loaded vegetable pizza together and adds richness.
- Feta adds a salty tang that works especially well with olives and tomatoes. At Franko's it can be added to any pizza.
- Lactose-free cheese is on our topping list for anyone who avoids lactose.
If you avoid dairy entirely or eat a vegan diet, please call and ask what is available, as vegan cheese is not listed on our menu.
Sides for a Meat-Free Meal
Round out a vegetarian pizza with sides from the menu. Options with no meat listed include the Veggie Wrap, Greek salad, garlic bread, garlic strips with cheese, fries, potato wedges, onion rings, battered mushrooms, mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers and breaded pickle spears.
Sauces, dressings, gravy and fryer oil can contain or come into contact with animal products, so if that matters to you, ask how items are prepared when you order.
Tips for Ordering a Vegetarian Pizza
- Say "vegetarian" when you order, so it is clear the pizza should have no meat.
- Mention any strict requirements. If cross-contact with meat is a concern, let us know.
- Do not overload watery toppings. Tomatoes, pineapple and lots of vegetables release moisture. Three or four toppings is usually the sweet spot.
- Order a meat-free pizza for mixed groups. At parties, a vegetarian pizza is often one of the first to disappear. Our party planning guide explains how to plan the mix.
For more topping inspiration, read our guide to popular pizza toppings and combinations, then build your own on our menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pizza cheese vegetarian?
Not always. Some cheeses, including many parmesans, are made with animal rennet. If you avoid animal rennet, ask the pizzeria which cheeses they use before you order.
What are the best toppings for a vegetarian pizza?
Combine something savoury (mushrooms or olives), something sweet (onions or pineapple) and something fresh (green peppers or tomatoes). Feta or double cheese adds richness.
Can a vegetarian pizza be kept separate from meat?
Tell the pizzeria you need a vegetarian pizza when you order and mention it if cross-contact with meat matters to you, so they can let you know what they can do. At home, keep vegetarian pizzas in their own box.
