Pizza Toppings That Can’t Be Topped
Pizza toppings are always a negotiation when you’re ordering for a group. The great question: which are the best ones? Check out our suggestions for the best pizza toppings, so you never have to settle for boring pizza ever again.
Jump to RecipeThe Classic Pizza Toppings
Pre-heat the oven and pull out the pizza pan because these classic pizza pies are going to be much tastier if you make them at home!
Cheese
If you’re a lover of the classics, you can’t really go wrong with cheese pizza. However, sometimes plain mozzarella and sauce need a little extra pizzazz. Try switching things up with blue cheese, goat cheese, Havarti, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or ricotta. Make it an “extra cheese” pizza with three to four, or dare I say…FIVE different kinds.
Pepperoni
This may be half of what you order for the kids’ birthday party. But that’s because pepperoni pizza is a safe option. If you’re the parent of kids who can’t seem to kick the pepperoni obsession, but you want something a little more grown-up, try topping your slice with fresh, chopped basil. If you want to add a little heat, add chopped jalepeños, spicy honey, or crushed red pepper chili flakes. You can also make chili-infused olive oil as a drizzle or dipping sauce for the leftover crusts.
Supreme
Why do we call this classic “supreme?” Does it imply that it’s truly the “supreme” combination of toppings? Perhaps. What it does have is a combination of both meat and vegetable toppings, with at least two kinds of each represented. The supreme title probably stems from the sheer amount and variety of toppings included. Our favorite supreme pizza includes pizza sauce, mozzarella, bacon, ground beef, pepperoni, mushrooms, and black olives. Yum!
Veggie
There’s always that person in the family whose vote is for veggie pizza. (In my house, it’s usually my mom. Always with the thin crust, too). If that’s your style, it may be the perfect vehicle for sneaking some veggies into your kids’ diet. Instead of red sauce, try a green pesto to go with your veggie pizza.
Margherita
This Italian classic has all you would ever need in a pizza. It’s a typical Neapolitan pizza made with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, salt, and extra-virgin olive oil. Legend says that Queen Margherita of Italy was eager to try the Neopolitan Italian flatbread she’d heard so much about on her 1899 visit to Naples. Out of the varieties she tried, her favorite was the one that mimicked the colors of the Italian flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil. While this may just be a legend, Margherita Pizza helped popularize the modern-day pie and is considered one of the staples of Italian pizzerias everywhere.
Meat Lovers
You probably know the person who always wants to order meat lovers. This hearty pizza normally includes sausage, pepperoni, crumbled bacon, and ham. But if you’re making your own, try venturing into new territory! Whether it’s prosciutto, lamb, beef, chorizo, spam, or salami, try picking ingredients that you’ve never had before!
Slightly More Adventurous Pizza Toppings
Hawaiian
This is the pizza that will forever divide us. While the flavors are reminiscent of the Pacific Island, did you know that it actually was invented by a Canadian? Restaurant owner and Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos returned from Detroit, having sampled what was then a novelty for Canadians: pizza. He added pineapple “just for the fun of it” and then added salty ham to contrast the sweetness. It was dubbed “Hawaiian” due to the brand of canned pineapple he used.
Barbecue Chicken
BBQ sauce is a perfect replacement for tomato sauce when you’re going for that sweet and savory flavor pizza topping combination. After you’ve topped your barbecue sauce with chicken, try adding onion, pepperoncini peppers, and gouda cheese, too!
Pineapple Pulled Pork Pizza
Try this cheesy, piping-hot pineapple pulled pork pizza topped with bacon, jalapeños, cilantro with a sweet & tangy pineapple BBQ sauce!
Greek Pizza Toppings
This kind of pizza is traditionally cooked differently than others. The pizza is proofed and cooked in a metal pan rather than stretched to order and baked on the floor of the pizza oven. However, if you’re just in it for the toppings, it usually has Mediterranean staples like olive oil, fresh garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, mozzarella, feta, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, olives, red onion, and fresh parsley.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Buffalo chicken pizza is so popular; it’s almost become a cult classic. No red sauce for this one. Instead, you’ll have hot, cheesy, creamy goodness. Cream cheese, ranch dressing seasoning, and hot sauce make the base, topped with chicken and mozzarella.
Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza
Pizza, bacon, and a cheeseburger walk into a bar. There’s no punchline, just savory goodness. When three iconic flavors like this come together, you’re going to want to try it.
Grown-Up Pizza Toppings
Pop open a bottle of wine, kick off your shoes, and get into the mindset of an Italian living their best life in the Tuscan countryside because these pizza toppings will make you wonder why you ever settled for plain cheese.
Goat Cheese, Arugula, and Red Onion
Arugula is one of the freshest flavors of spring, and we can’t get enough. The creamy, rich goat cheese and sweet red onions are the perfect complements to the bright, earthy arugula.
Roasted Red Peppers, Chorizo, and Feta
Chorizo is a type of Spanish pork sausage that has become widely popular in the United States. With this savory combo of red bell peppers, chorizo, and feta, you won’t be able to resist having just one more slice.
Gorgonzola, Bacon, Apples, and Red Onion
Everything about this pizza is balanced, from the sharp cheese to the salty bacon, to the sweet apples, to the spicy onions. You may not be able to get the kiddos on board for this flavor, so you may want to save it for your date night or a dinner party with friends.
Fig and Prosciutto Pizza With Caramelized Onions
Figs on a pizza? Could it be true? Could there possibly be a use for all those extra figs we have growing out on that darn tree? This is it. Figs are having their moment. Add some prosciutto and caramelized onions, and you’ve got a sweet-and-savory gourmet, white (or red) pizza.
Spring Pizza Toppings
Top your dough with zucchini, artichoke, asparagus, spinach, and a vegan pesto sauce dolloped on just before serving. Because we’re in the midst of spring while writing this, we had to include a pizza that uses all the freshest, verdant ingredients the season has to offer. And it’s a vegan pizza, too!
White Pizza Toppings
Loaded Baked Potato Pizza Toppings
With classic baked potato toppings like bacon, green onions, ranch dressing, cheese, and sour cream, and of course, potatoes, this will remind you of your favorite homestyle dish with all the fixings.
Taco Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 envelope taco seasoning
- 2 packages pizza dough I like Trader Joe’s
- 1 can refried beans
- 3/4 cup salsa
- 2 cups coarsely chopped tortilla chips or Doritos
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes optional
Instructions
Taco Pizza
- Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until it is no longer pink; drain excess liquid. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, then set aside.
- Light flour a surface and roll out your pizza dough. Lightly flour pizza pans or baking sheets and place stretched-out dough.
- Combine beans and salsa then spread over crusts. Top with beef mixture, tortilla chips, and cheese.
- Bake until heated through and cheese is bubbly/melted, about 8-12 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with lettuce and tomatoes.
Nutrition
Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza
This is another white pizza recipe that everyone will love. Add plenty of garlic, butter, spinach, and cheese, and you’ll have a pizza that will have everyone begging for pizza night this weekend!
Thai Chicken Pizza
This will satisfy your craving for sweet and spicy with its unique combination of chicken, peanuts, and cilantro. Add the fresh crunch of slivered carrots and bean sprouts, and this one can’t help but be a winner.
Cinnamon Roll Pizza
We never said we’d only include savory pizzas! This dessert pizza will have you wondering why you even did dessert any other way. With a buttery, cinnamon sugar spread and a flaky crust, it doesn’t get more delicious than this. When you’re serving, don’t forget to top it with cream cheese icing!
Pizza Toppings Tips
- The best crust: If you’re attempting a homemade pizza, you may be tempted to make your own crust from scratch. If that’s you, we wish you godspeed. But if your family is as busy as mine, sometimes having pre-packaged ingredients can make life just a little easier. That’s where packaged pizza dough comes in. Our top pick is Trader Joe’s fresh pizza dough, which packs the best bang-for-your-buck value at $1.19 per ball of dough (enough to make about one large pizza base). However, you can also buy a pizza crust that caters to your own family’s dietary needs or preferences, like a whole wheat or cauliflower crust.
- The best sauce: When it comes to pizza sauce, store-bought is the way to go, especially when you want the toppings to shine. For years, I used to think that pasta sauce was basically the same thing as pizza sauce. Turns out that’s not the case. Pizza sauce is basically just uncooked tomato sauce, while pasta sauce is simmered for longer. What’s our top pick for store-bought pizza sauce recently? Rao’s Homemade Margherita Pizza Sauce. Pick it up at your nearest supermarket, and you’ll never go back to Domino’s!
- Make it an activity: Have the kids help! Homemade pizza is a great way to involve the kids in the dinner-making process because the steps are so easy and fun. Who doesn’t like tossing dough? Studies have also shown that kids who help make their meals are more likely to eat them and enjoy them. You may even be able to get them on board for that veggie pizza (probably not thin crust, but one step at a time). Give it up on anchovies, though. I’ve never met a kid that likes those.
(Pizza) Party On!
Which of these sounds like it could be your next favorite? Try it out and share your own best pizza topping combos on FamilyApp! Or share a picture of your tasty creation with us on Instagram and tag @getfamilyapp!
