Jessica DeMay

Top 12 Pizza Toppings for Mouthwatering Pizza

Are you tired of using the same pizza toppings every time you make a homemade pizza? Have you run out of ways to spice up pizza night? You’re not alone. We’re here to help. From common toppings to more adventurous pizza additions, we’ve gathered the best, most delicious ways to top your next pizza. Let's start to examine which flavor combinations work well.

Best Pizza Topping Combinations

Pizza Topping #1: Meat Lover’s

Meat Lover's Pizza with ground beef pepperoni and cheese

Meat lover’s pizza is a carnivore’s delight. Exactly which meats are used to top a meat lover’s pizza varies, but most include sausage or ground beef, pepperoni, bacon, and sometimes ham. The meats are added between layers of cheese and sit atop traditional pizza sauce and a pizza crust thick enough to withstand the weight.

Pizza Topping #2: Ham and Pineapple

Ham & Pineapple Hawaii Pizza

Is there a pizza topping more controversial than pineapple? Unlikely. But while people continue to debate whether pineapple belongs on pizza, others are enjoying the combination of ham and pineapple that, together with mozzarella, make up a Hawaiian pizza. When it comes to this pizza topping combination, we urge you to give it a chance. 

Pizza Topping #3: Supreme

Supreme Pizza with olives, pepperoni, bell peppers, cheese and onions

Supreme pizza toppings, like those of the meat lover’s pizza, vary slightly. In general, a supreme pizza is one that combines some of the most popular pizza toppings to create a pizza loaded with flavor. Traditionally, a supreme pizza will include pepperoni, sausage, onions, bell peppers, olives, mozzarella, and pizza sauce. Mushrooms, banana peppers, and Canadian bacon are other common supreme toppings. 

Pizza Topping #4: BBQ Chicken

BBQ Chicken Pizza with onions and bbq sauce

BBQ chicken is delicious on its own, so you can imagine how delectable a BBQ chicken pizza is. A BBQ chicken pizza is usually made with shredded or sliced chicken, barbecue sauce, red onions, and mozzarella cheese. Which barbecue sauce you use is entirely up to you, whether it be store-bought or homemade.  

Pizza Topping #5: Sausage and Kale

Sausage & Kale Pizza with mozzarella

If you’ve been looking for a more enjoyable way to eat your leafy greens, this is for you. Sausage and kale pizza is simple yet surprisingly delicious. And we promise, you’ve never had kale like this! A traditional sausage and kale pizza uses pizza sauce, mozzarella, sausage (hot or mild), and kale. 

Pizza Topping #6: Garlic Butter Prawns and Chili

Garlic Butter Prawns Pizza

These flavorful pizza toppings are especially popular in Australia. If you’ve never had prawns on a pizza before, let this be the way you try them. For this pizza, you will need pizza sauce, mozzarella, garlic butter prawns, onion, chili, and capsicum. 

Classic Italian Pizza Toppings

Pizza Topping #7: Margherita

Margherita Pizza in front of Ooni Karu 16

The margherita pizza is a shining example of the “less is more” concept. A traditional margherita pizza is topped with pizza sauce, basil, buffalo mozzarella, olive oil, and salt. The oven shown in the image is the brand new Karu 16 from Ooni.

Pizza Topping #8: Four Cheese (Quattro Formaggi)

Quattro Formaggi four cheeses pizza

Pizza quattro formaggi is a type of Italian pizza that is topped with four different cheeses, usually mozzarella, gorgonzola, fontina, and parmigiano. It can be made with or without tomato sauce.

Pizza Topping #9: Cheese and Garlic

Cheese & Garlic Pizza with mozzarella and fresh oregano

If you’re a big fan of garlic bread, you’ll love this Italian pizza. Cheese and garlic pizza is made with pizza sauce, garlic, mozzarella, and oregano. It tastes like the best garlic bread you’ve ever had. 

Pizza Topping #10: Capricciosa

Capricciosa Pizza fresh from wood fire oven

The main ingredients of a capricciosa pizza are pizza sauce, Italian-baked ham, mozzarella cheese, artichoke, mushrooms, and tomato. Some versions of capricciosa pizza include prosciutto, olives, basil, marinated artichoke hearts, olive oil, and egg.

Pizza Topping #11: Potato and Rosemary

Potato & Rosemary Pizza

Americans don’t often think about potatoes as a pizza topping, but the Italian potato and rosemary pizza is proof that piling carbs onto carbs can be an extraordinary delight. The potatoes are sliced paper thin and layered on top of a thin crust so that the pizza doesn’t become too thick and heavy. Italian potato and rosemary pizza is made with extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella, potato, and fresh rosemary. 

Pizza Topping #12: Prosciutto and Rocket

Prosciutto & Rocket Pizza

Prosciutto and Rocket pizza is another Italian favorite that makes for a great summer pizza. Raw arugula, commonly referred to as Salad Rocket, is a popular pizza topping in Italy and it pairs perfectly with salty prosciutto. A traditional Italian prosciutto and rocket pizza is made with pizza sauce, mozzarella, rocket/arugula, prosciutto, and olive oil.

Additional Italian Favorites

  • Pancetta and broccolini
  • Gorgonzola and mushroom
  • Anchovies, black olives, and capers
  • Baby spinach, ricotta, and cherry tomato

Other Pizza Topping Combinations to Try

If you’re still looking for a pizza topping combination to try on your next pie, consider one of the following. You just might discover your new favorite pizza.

  • Capsicum, spicy salami, sliced jalapenos, onions, and hot sauce
  • Caramelized onion, feta, minced beef
  • Bacon and red onion with an egg cracked on top
  • Chorizo, squid, rocket
  • Artichoke, zucchini, spinach, and asparagus with pesto added just before serving
  • Seafood pizza: mussels, precooked squid, clams, prawns, and other seafood of your choosing
  • Broccoli or broccolini and pancetta
  • Gorgonzola and mushroom
  • Potato, sausage, and pancetta
  • Gorgonzola and radicchio
  • Black olives, capers, and anchovies
  • Mixed sliced mushrooms and garlic
  • Prawn, basil, zucchini, and onion
  • Rocket, sliced tomato, and pancetta
  • Ricotta, cherry tomato, and baby spinach
  • Potato and burrata
  • Roasted butternut squash, prosciutto, and caramelized onions
  • Mushrooms, caramelized onions, spinach, balsamic vinegar, goat cheese, and fontina cheese
  • Brown butter lobster, spinach, bacon, and fontina
  • BBQ pulled pork, brussels sprout leaves, mozzarella, fontina cheese, barbecue sauce

Not Enough? Here Are Even More Ideas

Listing all the possible toppings for pizza is almost impossible given that every type of food can be added to pizza. With that said, here is even more inspiration for you:

Meats 

Meat is usually cooked or cured before it is added to a pizza to ensure that it is safe to eat. Meats can be roasted, grilled, fried, cured, braised, or smoked, and the flavor will change based on the cooking method you use. When using larger cuts of meat like chicken or steak, you will want to chop or slice the meat into but-sized pieces before adding it to your pizza. Ground meats like beef and sausage should be cooked first, then drained of excess grease before used as a pizza topping.

  • Pepperoni
  • Sausage (hot or mild)
  • Chicken
  • Ground beef
  • Bacon 
  • Ham
  • Steak
  • Pork
  • Canadian Bacon
  • Chorizo
  • Duck
  • Lamb
  • Meatballs
  • Pancetta
  • Prosciutto
  • Salami
  • Turkey
  • Venison

Seafood

Seafood makes for a great pizza topping. As with meats, seafood is almost always cooked, cured, smoked, or salted before it is added to a pizza to ensure the food is safe to eat and to improve the flavor and texture. Seafood should be cut into bite-sized pieces to use a pizza topping. 

  • Anchovies
  • Shrimp
  • Calamari
  • Caviar
  • Prawns
  • Scallops
  • Salmon
  • Tuna
  • Squid
  • Crayfish
  • Lobster
  • Smoked Oysters
  • Clams

Vegetables and Fruit

Unlike meat and seafood, vegetable and fruit pizza toppings don’t have to be cooked before they’re added to a pizza. However, you can cook many of the toppings listed below to achieve a different flavor or texture. 

  • Artichoke heats
  • Olives (black or green)
  • Banana peppers
  • Chives
  • Eggplant
  • Carrots
  • Garlic
  • Apples
  • Green chilis
  • Green onions
  • Onions
  • Cauliflower
  • Asparagus
  • Beets
  • Squash
  • Capers
  • Bell peppers
  • Broccoli
  • Potatoes
  • Spinach
  • Sun-dried tomatoes
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Jalapeno peppers
  • Mushrooms
  • Leeks
  • Pineapple

Extras

The ingredients listed below are typically added after the pizza has been baked. They are great for adding additional flavor and texture to your pizza.

  • Avocado
  • Basil
  • Cilantro
  • Lettuce
  • Olive oil
  • Chili flakes
  • Chili oil
  • Rosemary
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
  • Thyme

When it comes to combining pizza toppings to create a delicious pizza, the opportunities are endless. You can use your own imagination and food preferences to come up with a pizza that appeals most to you. Be sure to check out our review of pizza topping stations which are great ways to keep track of your pizza toppings!

Jessica DeMay
Jessica is the lead content creator of Dishcrawl. She has lived in Italy (Napoli) for 7 years and has since become absolutely obsessed with pizza.
More good stuff
© 2023 Dishcrawl. All rights reserved.
Dishcrawl participates in various affiliate programs, which means we may get paid commissions on certain products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
TwitterPinterestInstagram
crossmenu