Your Ultimate Guide to Vegan Sauces at MOD Pizza
For those following a vegan diet, navigating the menu at a fast-casual restaurant can be a challenge. Thankfully, MOD Pizza has made it easy to customize a meal that aligns with your dietary needs, offering a variety of plant-based sauces that lay the foundation for a delicious pizza or salad. A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including dairy, so it’s crucial to know which menu items are free of milk, cheese, and other animal-derived ingredients.
Vegan Pizza Sauces
MOD Pizza's menu includes several delicious and robust sauces that are entirely plant-based, ensuring a flavorful and dairy-free base for your pizza creation.
- Red Sauce: The classic tomato sauce at MOD is vegan-friendly and made with fresh, vine-ripened California tomatoes. It’s a reliable and flavorful choice that serves as the perfect canvas for your toppings.
- Spicy Calabrian Chili Red Sauce: For those who like a little heat, this sauce adds a fiery kick to the signature red sauce. It is a great option for a more adventurous flavor profile.
- BBQ Sauce: Sweet and smoky, the BBQ sauce offers a tangy alternative to traditional red sauces and is completely vegan.
- Garlic Rub: This flavorful combination of garlic, water, and citric acid is a simple yet powerful base, especially when paired with roasted garlic cloves.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For a simple, light, and healthy base, extra virgin olive oil is an excellent choice. It allows the flavor of your other toppings to shine.
Vegan Finishing Sauces
After your pizza is baked to perfection, you can add extra flavor with a drizzle of one of MOD's vegan finishing sauces. These sauces are applied after the pizza is cooked, adding a fresh burst of flavor.
- Balsamic Fig Glaze: This sweet and tangy glaze adds a touch of gourmet flavor to any pizza.
- Hot Buffalo Sauce: For a spicy, zesty finish, the Hot Buffalo Sauce is a perfect, dairy-free choice.
- Sweet BBQ Swirl: A sweeter, more concentrated version of the BBQ sauce, this swirl is perfect for adding a final flourish.
- Tomato Sauce Dollops: Similar to the red sauce base, these dollops provide extra tomato flavor and moisture after the bake.
Comparison of Vegan vs. Non-Vegan Sauces at MOD
To make your choice even clearer, here is a comparison of the key sauces available at MOD Pizza, highlighting the vegan and non-vegan options.
| Sauce Name | Vegan Status | Key Ingredients to Note |
|---|---|---|
| Red Sauce | Vegan | Fresh tomatoes, spices; dairy-free. |
| Spicy Calabrian Chili Red Sauce | Vegan | Red sauce with Calabrian chilis; dairy-free. |
| Sweet BBQ Sauce | Vegan | Tomato puree, sugar, molasses; dairy-free. |
| Garlic Rub | Vegan | Garlic, water, citric acid; dairy-free. |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Vegan | 100% extra virgin olive oil; dairy-free. |
| Balsamic Fig Glaze | Vegan | Balsamic vinegar, figs; dairy-free. |
| Hot Buffalo Sauce | Vegan | Hot sauce blend; dairy-free. |
| Sweet BBQ Swirl | Vegan | Concentrated BBQ sauce; dairy-free. |
| Garlic Pesto | Not Vegan | Contains Parmesan cheese (milk). |
| White Sauce | Not Vegan | Contains dairy. |
Building a Delicious Vegan MOD Pizza
Knowing your sauce options is just the beginning. The next step is building a truly satisfying and nutritious pizza with the extensive range of vegan toppings and crusts available.
Start with the Base: Choose either the regular MOD crust or the gluten-friendly crust, as both are vegan. The cauliflower crust, however, contains milk and eggs and should be avoided.
Add Your Vegan Sauce: Select one of the many vegan-friendly sauces, such as the classic Red Sauce or the savory Garlic Rub.
Pile on the Veggies: MOD offers a vast selection of fresh vegetables. Great options include roasted broccoli, corn, mushrooms, olives, onions, bell peppers, spinach, and roasted red peppers.
Choose Your Protein: For extra substance, add the plant-based Italian sausage, which is made from non-GMO pea protein and is a permanent vegan topping.
Select Vegan Cheese: Don't forget the vegan cheese! MOD offers Daiya dairy-free mozzarella, which is stored and handled separately to minimize cross-contamination.
Finish with a Drizzle: Complete your masterpiece with a finishing sauce like Balsamic Fig Glaze or Hot Buffalo Sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
Conclusion
With a clear understanding of which MOD sauces are vegan, and a vast array of plant-based crusts and toppings, vegans can confidently craft a delicious and customized pizza. The menu's transparency and the availability of dairy-free options demonstrate MOD Pizza's commitment to accommodating a variety of dietary needs. Whether you're a long-time vegan or just exploring plant-based options, MOD offers a quick, flavorful, and reliable dining experience. By sticking to the Red Sauce, Spicy Calabrian Chili Red Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Garlic Rub, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil, you can ensure a satisfying vegan pizza every time.
