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    Home » high protein

    Vegan Pizza Bowl

    Published: Jan 27, 2022 by Richa 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe

    Try this fun easy meal prep recipe for Vegan Pizza Bowl with Quinoa, protein-packed Vegan Lentil Sausage Meat, fresh basil, roasted veggies, pizza sauce , cashew mozzarella sauce and healthy leafy greens. Gluten-free & soy-free option.

    overhead shot of a vegan pizza bowl topped with cashew mozzarella cheese and basil

    These Pizza Bowls are the ideal meal prep lunch for pizza lovers. Savory lentil sausage mix, fluffy quinoa, pan-roasted bell peppers and mushrooms, greens, fresh basil , chopped fresh tomatoes,and big old dollops of pizza sauce and homemade cashew mozzarella sauce. This is the lunch bowl of my dreams and if you like all things tomato and cheese, you will be all over it.

    You can make all the components ahead and refrigerate. Then put them together as you like!l.  Make bowls, wraps, make a proper pizza, or add to pasta. You can mix and match! Use just the lentil sausage mix with pizza sauce for the pasta topped with some shredded vegan parm. Make quesadillas with the mushroom, peppers and cashew mozzarella and wraps with quinoa,basil, lentil mixture, any any of the roasted veggies. Don’t forget to add some pizza sauce in the wrap! Or make a pizza using my vegan pizza dough.

    vegan pizza bowls being assembled with quinoa, veggies and lentil meat

    I am one of those people that loves pizza and could have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And while I often resort to kneading a quick batch of my vegan pizza dough, I also try to curb those cravings in different ways. Because it’s all about balance and variety, right? I try to keep my pizza creations fun and interesting with recipes like pizza snack bites, pizza waffles, even pizza oatmeal! btw make those pizza waffles!

    Today I am adding some Vegan Pizza Bowls to my pizza lover collection and let me tell you, these are divine.

    overhead shot of vegan quinoa pizza bowls with lentil sausage meat topped with vegan mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce

    All my favorite pizza toppings ( I like bell peppers and mushrooms) along with my favorite greens served over quinoa and lentil sausage meat!

    Why you’ll love this Vegan Pizza Bowl

    • Packed with protein – 16 gm per serving from various sources – quinoa, lentils, cashews, veggies. Sprinkle in some hemp seeds to boost that even more
    • who doesn’t love pizza!
    • Many flavors and texture: I love the different textures going on here. Crisp, chewy, creamy, juicy.
    • Can be made ahead: make some components ahead so you can put together a quick meal when needed
    • Suitable for most diets- the bowl is Glutenfree. See recipe notes for soyfree Nutfree options
    • Everyday ingredients
    • Versatile components: use the various components to Make bowls, wraps, quesadilla, make a pizza, pasta.

    More vegan bowl recipes:

    • Chili Garlic Tofu Bowl
    • Peanut Butter Roasted Cauliflower Bowl
    • Quinoa Cauliflower Bowl with Almond Sriracha sauce
    • Sprouted Lentil Bowl with Cajun Spied Sweet Potatoes
    • Turmeric Cauliflower Rice Bowl with Moroccan Spice Chickpeas

    Print Recipe
    5 from 12 votes

    Loaded Pizza Bowl

    Try this fun easy meal prep recipe for Vegan Pizza Bowl with Quinoa, protein-packed Vegan Lentil Sausage Meat, roasted veggies, pizza sauce, cashew mozzarella sauce and healthy leafy greens. Gluten-free & soy-free option, Nutfree option
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time50 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Keyword: vegan bowl recipes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 319kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    For the lentil sausage mixture:

    • 15 ounce can of lentils washed and drained or 1 1/2 cups of cooked lentils
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce , use tamari for Glutenfree, coconut aminos for soyfree
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1/2 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds
    • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    For the cashew mozzarella sauce:

    • 1/2 cup raw cashews soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon basil
    • 1/2 teaspoon mellow miso or 2 teaspoon nutritional yeast optional (Use chickpea miso or use nutritional yeast for Soyfree)

    For the other ingredients in the pizza bowl:

    • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
    • 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
    • 1 cup of thinly sliced mushrooms
    • salt and pepper as needed
    • oil as needed for roasting the peppers and mushrooms
    • 2 cups or more of crisp greens or spinach
    • chopped tomato as needed
    • 1/4 cup fresh basil
    • 1/2 cup of uncooked quinoa or 1 1/4 cup of cooked quinoa or other grains of choice
    • 1/2 cup of pizza sauce (see notes for diy pizza sauce)

    Instructions

    • Make the lentil sausage mix: Add all of the ingredients to a skillet over medium heat and mix well. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if the mixture is too dry and could cook until the spices and sauce cover the lentils completely and the mixture thickens a little bit. Taste and adjust the flavor and set aside.
    • Make the cashew sauce: drain the cashews then add to the blender. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until the mixture is creamy and thick.
    • You might have to blend it 2-3 times. Blend it for about 30 seconds then let it sit so that the cashews can continue to soak 4-5 minutes then blend again. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
    • Roast up the veggies: Add the peppers and onions to a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of oil, some salt and pepper, and cook until they are slightly golden on some edges. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
    • Then add the mushrooms to the same skillet. Add a teaspoon of oil, salt, and pepper as needed and then cook until the mushrooms are golden and then set aside.
    • Make the quinoa: If you haven't made the quinoa yet, rinse the quinoa then add to a saucepan with 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the quinoa is fluffy, about 12-15 minutes.
    • Assemble the bowl: Add a good helping of the lentil sausage mix, the quinoa, the roasted veggies and mushrooms, greens, chopped tomatoes, then top it with dollops of pizza sauce and dollops of cashew mozzarella sauce.
    • Then sprinkle some chopped fresh basil and serve.
      Storage: Refrigerate components separately for upto 4 days.

    Notes

    To make your own pizza sauce, mix 1.5 tablespoon of tomato paste with 4 tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of thyme, 1/4 teaspoon garlic, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and use.
    Nut-free: Use my cheesy tofu sauce or cauliflower alfredo instead of cashew mozzarella cream
    Make your own lentils: Soak 1 cup lentils in warm water for 5 mins then wash and drain. Add to the instant pot, add 2 cups water. Pressure cook for 8-10 mins(longer for older lentils, start with 8 mins) Quick release after 10 mins . Drain and use. If the lentils didn’t get as soft then pressure cook for another 2 mins. If they got too soft, then try 6 mins next time.
    For saucepan, add 3 cups water and cook over medium heat partially covered for 25-35 mins.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Loaded Pizza Bowl
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 319 Calories from Fat 90
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 10g15%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Sodium 698mg30%
    Potassium 914mg26%
    Carbohydrates 45g15%
    Fiber 10g42%
    Sugar 9g10%
    Protein 16g32%
    Vitamin A 2917IU58%
    Vitamin C 49mg59%
    Calcium 76mg8%
    Iron 6mg33%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    vegan quinoa pizza bowls topped with vegan mozzarella cheese and marinara sauceIngredients:

    • lentils are the base of our vegan savory sausage meat. Soy sauce is added for saltiness and maple syrup for sweetness
    • no vegan sausage meat without this spice blend: crushed fennel seeds,  onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ground sage,  dried thyme, black pepper, and cayenne! Perfection
    •  cooked quinoa or other grains of choice make these bowls filling and satisfying
    • The cashew mozzarella sauce is made from blended raw cashews, with some extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, salt and basil
    • miso or nutritional yeast lends the cashew mozzarella its cheesy flavor
    • I like to assemble the pizza bowl with sauteed sliced bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms
    • crisp greens or spinach are added to add some bulk to the bowls without packing on the starches.
    • fresh pizza toppings: chopped tomato and fresh basil, always!
    • pizza sauce –  use your favorite brand, or see notes to make your own

    Tips:

    • To make your own pizza sauce, mix 1.5 tablespoon of tomato paste with 4 -5 tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of thyme, 1/4 teaspoon garlic, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and use.
    • All of the components can be made in advance and stored in containers. Feel free to double the amount to have lunch for a couple of days.
    • Nut-free: Use my cheesy tofu sauce or cauliflower alfredo instead of cashew mozzarella cream

    ingredients for making pizza bowls on a marble countertop

    How to make Vegan Pizza Bowl:

    If you haven’t made the quinoa yet, rinse the quinoa then add to a saucepan with 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the quinoa is fluffy, about 12-15 minutes.

    vegan lentil meat being prepared in a skillet

    Make the lentil sausage mix. Add all of the ingredients to a skillet over medium heat and mix well. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if the mixture is too dry and could cook until the spices and sauces cover the lentils completely and the mixture thickens a little bit. Taste and adjust the flavor and set aside.

    vegan lentil meat in a frying pan

    Make the cashew sauce: drain the cashews then add to the blender. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until the mixture is creamy and thick.


    You might have to blend it 2-3 times. Blend it for about 30 seconds then let it sit so that the cashews can continue to soak 4-5 minutes then blend again. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

    vegan cashew mozzarella sauce and pizza sauce in two bowls

    Roast up the veggies: Add the peppers and onions to a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of oil, some salt and pepper, and cook until they are slightly golden on some edges. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

    red bell peppers being sauteed in a frying pan

    Then add the mushrooms to the same skillet. Add a teaspoon of oil, salt, and pepper as needed and then cook until the mushrooms are golden and then set aside.

    mushrooms being sauteed in a frying pan

    Assemble the bowl: Add a good helping of the lentil sausage mix, the quinoa, the roasted veggies and mushrooms, greens, chopped tomatoes, then top it with dollops of pizza sauce and dollops of the cashew mozzarella sauce.

    Then sprinkle some chopped fresh basil and serve.

    vegan pizza bowl being assembled

    How to store

    Refrigerate components separately in closed containers. Quinoa, roasted mushrooms and veggies, and lentil mixture will last upto 4 days. The sauces and chopped fresh veggies will last upto 3 days

    vegan quinoa bowls with pizza toppings like marinara, tomatoes and vegan cashew sauce

     

     

     

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    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online! I love hearing from you all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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    1. Shawna

      July 29, 2022 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      Your recipes are always amazing… What a gift you have for using spices and combining flavors. This was wonderful!! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        August 02, 2022 at 12:20 pm

        thank you so much

        Reply
    2. Jeff

      July 02, 2022 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      Vegan Richa, This recipe was fantastic and better than traditional pizza. It’s going into my regular rotation. Thanks

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        July 03, 2022 at 6:07 pm

        wow!

        Reply
    3. Kim G.

      June 08, 2022 at 4:46 am

      5 stars
      Excellent flavor & Easy to make! My entire family loved this Pizza Bowl!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        June 09, 2022 at 3:20 pm

        who wouldn’t love a pizza bowl, amiright?

        Reply
    4. Heather Williams

      May 03, 2022 at 7:12 am

      5 stars
      We have made this 2x in two weeks! It’s Soo good! Even the leftovers taste great!

      Reply
      • Richa

        May 03, 2022 at 11:23 pm

        Yay

        Reply
    5. Katie

      February 11, 2022 at 12:14 pm

      5 stars
      My husband recently had heart surgery and is now on a plant based diet with no salt and sugar. This recipe can hold its own without either. It was delicious! Thank you for posting it and all your other wonderful recipes.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        February 13, 2022 at 6:18 pm

        so glad you found my recipes

        Reply
    6. Danielle

      February 08, 2022 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m glad I tried this recipe! It’s healthy and so tasty! The mozzarella sauce is so easy and really brings the dish together. I ate this as a bowl tonight and I’m looking forward to having the leftovers in a wrap tomorrow!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        February 13, 2022 at 6:06 pm

        enjoy – glad you were surprised

        Reply
    7. Christina

      February 01, 2022 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! My teenager and I loved this. Thanks, Richa!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        February 05, 2022 at 8:58 am

        super !

        Reply
    8. Nicole

      January 30, 2022 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      I made just the sausage lentils and had it with some pasta and tomato sauce. It was great! I love this combination of spices. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 30, 2022 at 4:19 pm

        Awesomeee !

        Reply
    9. Hilda Deboer

      January 29, 2022 at 6:37 am

      5 stars
      This sounds amazing and healthy! I normally make lentils in my instant pot, can you give me a foolproof way so the lentils are not soggy? I need to know how long to cook them and how much water and lentils to add. Thank you and I love your recipes!!

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 29, 2022 at 9:39 am

        Soak 1 cup lentils in warm water for 5 mins then wash and drain. Add to the instant pot, add 2 cups water. Pressure cook for 8-10 mins(longer for older lentils, start with 8 mins) Quick release after 10 mins . Drain and use. If the lentils didn’t get as soft then pressure cook for another 2 mins.

        Reply
    10. Emily

      January 28, 2022 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      Made the lentils and put them on a flatbread with pizza sauce and some sliced peppers and onions . Made the mozz and boom, what a fantastic lunch!

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 28, 2022 at 10:41 am

        Awesome!

        Reply

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