LaRosa’s adds plant-based pizza toppings

Cincinnati, Ohio-based LaRosa's Pizzeria is adding plant-based toppings to its line of pizza offerings. LaRosa's tested pizzas with plant-based toppings in two Cincinnati-area pizzerias and incorporated guest feedback to hone the recipes. The pizzas have rolled out to all 66 LaRosa's Family Pizzerias in Greater Cincinnati, Central Kentucky and Southwest Indiana, according to a press release.

Plant-based toppings include pepperoni, Italian sausage, meatless chicken and vegan cheese. A plant-based Deluxe Pizza includes any crust, LaRosa's family recipe pizza sauce, plant-based pepperoni and Italian sausage, green peppers, onions and vegan cheese. Create-your-own pizzas are available with any crust, LaRosa's family recipe pizza sauce, and any (or all) new plant-based toppings: pepperoni, Italian sausage or meatless chicken. Pepperoni and Italian sausage are vegan.

"This is a significant addition to our menu," Mark LaRosa, president and chief culinary officer, said in the release. "Over 60% of what we serve is pizza, and we wanted to offer plant-based toppings to our Guests who love our pizza, but who are trying to limit the amount of meat they eat. So, we needed to get this right. Development took us longer than we anticipated, but we think our guests will be thrilled. The toppings are plant-based for flexitarians, vegetarians and even vegans — but the taste is all LaRosa's."