The Best Homemade Pizza Toppings and Combinations

Posted on by Morgan

Making pizza at home allows you to experiment with a variety of toppings to create your perfect pie. Whether you prefer classic flavors or adventurous combinations, here are some of the best homemade pizza toppings and creative combinations to try:

1. Classic Margherita

Ingredients:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Spread Sauce: Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the pizza dough.
  2. Add Toppings: Place slices of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes on top.
  3. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 10-12 minutes.
  4. Finish: Garnish with fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

2. Pepperoni and Mushroom

Ingredients:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Pepperoni slices
  • Sliced mushrooms
  • Dried oregano

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Sauce: Spread tomato sauce over the dough.
  2. Layer Toppings: Add a layer of shredded mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and mushrooms.
  3. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes.
  4. Season: Sprinkle with dried oregano before serving.

3. BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:

  • BBQ sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Cooked, shredded chicken
  • Red onion, thinly sliced
  • Cilantro leaves

Instructions:

  1. Apply BBQ Sauce: Spread BBQ sauce over the dough.
  2. Add Toppings: Top with mozzarella cheese, shredded chicken, and red onion slices.
  3. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes.
  4. Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh cilantro after baking.

4. Veggie Supreme

Ingredients:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Bell peppers, sliced
  • Red onion, sliced
  • Black olives, sliced
  • Spinach leaves
  • Mushrooms, sliced
  • Zucchini, thinly sliced

Instructions:

  1. Spread Sauce: Spread tomato sauce on the dough.
  2. Top with Cheese: Add shredded mozzarella.
  3. Add Vegetables: Layer with bell peppers, red onion, olives, spinach, mushrooms, and zucchini.
  4. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes.

5. Four Cheese

Ingredients:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Crumbled blue cheese
  • Shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Shredded provolone cheese

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Dough: Spread tomato sauce on the dough.
  2. Layer Cheeses: Top with mozzarella, blue cheese, Parmesan, and provolone.
  3. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes.

6. Pesto and Goat Cheese

Ingredients:

  • Pesto sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Crumbled goat cheese
  • Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • Pine nuts (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Spread Pesto: Apply pesto sauce to the dough.
  2. Add Cheese: Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and crumbled goat cheese.
  3. Top with Tomatoes: Add sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts if using.
  4. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes.

7. Mediterranean

Ingredients:

  • Tomato sauce or olive oil base
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • Feta cheese, crumbled
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh oregano or basil

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Base: Spread tomato sauce or olive oil over the dough.
  2. Add Cheese: Top with shredded mozzarella and crumbled feta.
  3. Layer Toppings: Add olives, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
  4. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes.
  5. Finish: Garnish with fresh oregano or basil.

8. Prosciutto and Arugula

Ingredients:

  • Tomato sauce or olive oil base
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Prosciutto slices
  • Fresh arugula
  • Parmesan cheese, shaved
  • Lemon zest (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Base: Spread tomato sauce or olive oil on the dough.
  2. Add Cheese: Top with shredded mozzarella.
  3. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 10-12 minutes.
  4. Finish: Top with prosciutto slices, fresh arugula, shaved Parmesan, and a touch of lemon zest if desired.

9. Mexican-Inspired Pizza

Ingredients:

  • Salsa or taco sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Cooked ground beef or turkey
  • Black beans
  • Corn kernels
  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh cilantro

Instructions:

  1. Spread Sauce: Apply salsa or taco sauce to the dough.
  2. Add Cheese: Layer with shredded mozzarella.
  3. Top with Meat and Veggies: Add cooked ground meat, black beans, corn, and jalapeños.
  4. Finish with Cheese: Top with shredded cheddar.
  5. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes.
  6. Garnish: Add fresh cilantro before serving.

10. Fig and Prosciutto

Ingredients:

  • Olive oil base
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh figs, sliced
  • Prosciutto slices
  • Goat cheese, crumbled
  • Fresh rosemary

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Base: Brush dough with olive oil.
  2. Add Cheese: Top with shredded mozzarella and crumbled goat cheese.
  3. Layer Toppings: Arrange fig slices and prosciutto on top.
  4. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes.
  5. Finish: Garnish with fresh rosemary.

Tips for Perfect Pizza Toppings:

  1. Balance Flavors: Combine different types of cheese, meats, and vegetables for a balanced flavor profile.
  2. Pre-Cook Toppings: For toppings that release moisture (e.g., mushrooms, onions), consider pre-cooking them to avoid a soggy crust.
  3. Don’t Overload: Avoid piling on too many toppings to ensure the pizza cooks evenly and the crust stays crispy.
  4. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and high-quality cheeses can make a big difference in flavor.

With these topping ideas and combinations, you can create a variety of delicious homemade pizzas to suit any taste. Enjoy your pizza-making adventure!