The Truth About Papa Murphy's Creamy Garlic Sauce
For anyone on a vegan or dairy-free diet, creamy sauces are often a red flag, and unfortunately, Papa Murphy's creamy garlic sauce is no exception. A quick check of the ingredient information on the Papa Murphy's website confirms that this popular sauce contains dairy, meaning it is not suitable for vegans. This is a common practice for most restaurant-style creamy sauces, which typically use dairy-based ingredients like cheese, butter, or milk products to achieve their rich texture and flavor profile.
Building Your Vegan Pizza at Papa Murphy's
Despite the creamy garlic sauce being off-limits, Papa Murphy's has made significant strides in offering a wide range of vegan-friendly options, allowing customers to build a delicious and satisfying plant-based pizza. By understanding which ingredients to select, you can easily create a personalized pizza to take and bake at home.
Vegan-Friendly Crusts
When building your pizza, the foundation is key. Papa Murphy's provides several crust options that are suitable for a vegan diet:
- Original Crust
- Thin Crust
- Pan Crust
- Stuffed Crust
It is important to note, however, that their Udi's gluten-free crust is not vegan, as it contains eggs. Always double-check ingredient lists, as formulations can occasionally change.
Delicious Vegan Sauces
While the creamy garlic sauce is out, there are two excellent vegan sauce alternatives available:
- Traditional Red Sauce: A classic and reliable choice for a flavorful tomato base.
- Olive Oil Blend & Garlic Sauce: An excellent alternative for those seeking a rich, garlicky flavor profile without the dairy. This is the perfect swap to make when ordering a garlic-heavy pizza.
Dairy-Free Cheese and Vegan Toppings
To complete your plant-based creation, Papa Murphy's offers Violife dairy-free mozzarella-style shreds, a popular vegan cheese alternative that melts beautifully. From there, you can pile on as many vegetable toppings as you like. These include:
- Artichoke hearts
- Black olives
- Green peppers
- Mushrooms
- Mixed onions
- Pineapple
- Roma tomatoes
- Spinach
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Jalapeños
Homemade Vegan Creamy Garlic Sauce for the Win
For those who truly crave that signature creamy garlic flavor, combining a Papa Murphy's vegan base with a homemade sauce is the perfect solution. A cashew-based sauce is a popular and simple alternative that delivers a rich, velvety texture.
Quick Cashew Creamy Garlic Sauce
- Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for at least 30 mins), 1 cup water, 2 cloves fresh garlic, 2 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt to taste.
- Instructions: Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth and creamy. Use as a sauce on your take-and-bake pizza before adding toppings.
Comparing Vegan and Non-Vegan Options at Papa Murphy's
| Feature | Vegan-Friendly Option | Non-Vegan Option |
|---|---|---|
| Creamy Garlic Sauce | Replace with Olive Oil Blend & Garlic sauce | Papa Murphy's Creamy Garlic Sauce |
| Cheese | Violife Dairy-Free Mozzarella-Style Shreds | Standard mozzarella, cheddar, or herb & cheese blend |
| Crust | Original, Thin, Pan, Stuffed | Udi's gluten-free crust (contains egg) |
| Protein Toppings | Veggie options only | Chicken, bacon, sausage, pepperoni |
| Additional Items | Mediterranean Salad (without feta) | Ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing |
Conclusion
While the answer to is Papa Murphy's creamy garlic vegan? is definitively no, it does not mean that vegans are excluded from enjoying a delicious Papa Murphy's pizza. By leveraging their vegan-friendly crusts, sauces, and dairy-free cheese, customers can easily build a satisfying plant-based meal. For those who miss the creamy garlic flavor, a simple homemade sauce can be made to get the same great taste at home. With a little customization, Papa Murphy's remains a convenient and tasty option for vegan pizza night.
How to Order Your Vegan Pizza
When placing your order, either online or in-store, follow these simple steps to ensure a completely vegan experience:
- Select a Vegan Crust: Choose the Original, Thin, Pan, or Stuffed crust.
- Pick Your Vegan Sauce: Opt for the Traditional Red or Olive Oil Blend & Garlic Sauce.
- Choose Your Cheese: Request the Violife Dairy-Free Cheese.
- Add Your Toppings: Go wild with any of the vegetable toppings available.
- Enjoy! Bake your customized, take-and-bake pizza at home according to the instructions.
Remember to always verify the specific ingredients with the restaurant or on their website, as product offerings can vary by location and change over time. For more information on Papa Murphy's ingredients, you can visit their nutrition page.
