27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (2024)

If you haven't taken the leap and made pizza at home yet, consider this your road map. We have step-by-step instructions for classics like Margherita, Grandma Pie, and plain cheese pizza that delivers "perfection on a plate." Cacio e pepe pizza is a fun riff on the signature Roman pasta, while breakfast pizza proves that you can absolutely eat pizza for every single meal. (And since dessert pizza exists too, why wouldn't you?) Once you're a pizza-making pro, put these go-to pizza recipes in rotation.

The 7 Best Pizza Ovens for Restaurant-Quality Pizza at Home

01of 27

Classic Cheese Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (1)

Sometimes all you want at the end of the day is a simple cheese pizza. This recipe turns simple into sublime with the addition of an exceptional pizza dough, low-moisture mozzarella cheese, and an easy to make tomato sauce that hits all of the right sweet and savory notes to marry all of the flavors in this pie. Add a simple garnish of fresh herbs, and you've got perfection on a plate.

Get the Recipe

02of 27

Soppressata Pizza with Calabrian Chilies and Hot Honey

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (2)

Take a little soppressata, some chopped calabrian chiles, and a drizzle of hot honey, and you'll end up with the pizza of the moment. Calabrian chiles, fiery chiles from Italy, add heat and a distinctly fruity flavor to this pie. The hot honey mirrors the flavors of the chiles, and adds a touch of sweetness.

Get the Recipe

03of 27

Grandma Pie Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (3)

Unlike a thin-crust Neapolitan-style pie, the thick, deliciously chewy crust of a classic grandma pie is easy to pull off at home. All you need is a sturdy, standard "half-sheet" rimmed baking sheet. Don't stint on the oil for the pan — it helps create a gloriously crispy, golden crust.

Get the Recipe

04of 27

Margherita Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (4)

This classic pizza is easy to pull off at home with fresh ingredients. Miriam Weiskind's flavorful dough comes together through careful kneading before slowly rising in the refrigerator for one — and up to five — days, making it the perfect, make-ahead pizza base. Paired with creamy mozzarella, the freshly snipped basil and uncooked sauce deliver big flavor.

Get the Recipe

05of 27

Wild Mushroom Pizza with Homemade Ranch

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (5)

It's important not to weigh your pizza down with too many toppings, which can make for a soggy pie, so this pizza only requires a small amount of wild mushrooms. Choose whatever looks best at the market. We love this pizza with a drizzle of Fancy Ranch dressing (which almost makes it a salad, right?)

Get the Recipe

06of 27

Tavern-Style Sausage and Giardiniera Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (6)

This square-cut, cracker-thin pie is the Chicago style that originated when tavern owners and bartenders would leave out free pizza for customers to entice them to stay for another round of beers. The small pieces can fit on a bar napkin and shouldn't spoil one's dinner.

Get the Recipe

Potato Pizza with Crème Fraîche and Bacon

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (7)

This pizza starts with the flavors of the classic Alsatian pizza, made with crème fraîche, caramelized onion, and bacon, and adds soft confit garlic cloves and thin slices of potatoes. Add a little greenery from kale and chives, and you've got an exceptional pizza to both look at and eat.

Get the Recipe

08of 27

Smoky Breakfast Pizzas

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (8)

Chef Justin Bazdarich makes his Kind Brother pizza at Speedy Romeo in Brooklyn extra decadent with a combination of béchamel and smoked mozzarella. This easy version also gets a kick from smoked mozzarella, plus a drizzle of fresh basil oil for a pop of freshness.

Get the Recipe

09of 27

Jerk Chicken Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (9)

Whether you choose to make your own dough or buy it from the store, this pizza, called "Kiss Mi Converse!" at Last Dragon, is destined for greatness. A homemade jerk marinade inspired by Russell's Jamaican family takes center stage, giving rich flavor to the chicken topping, while the black olives, yellow peppers, and crossed scallion greens aren't just delicious — they're a salute to the Jamaican flag.

Get the Recipe

10of 27

Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Salami

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (10)

Pork and pineapple are a dream combination in this homemade salty-sweet pizza. Pizza pro Miriam Weiskind's twist on pineapple-topped pie uses Genoa salami in place of ham — paired with creamy mozzarella and an oregano-scented uncooked tomato sauce, it is sure to convert any pineapple pizza skeptics.

Get the Recipe

11of 27

Sausage and Ricotta Pizza with Castelvetrano Olives

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (11)

The combination of the meaty, briny, vegetal flavors in this pizza hits so many satisfying notes that it is sure to be a hit at your table. The olives, peppers, sausage, and ricotta combine to bring sweet, savory, salty, and creamy notes to this pretty pizza.

Get the Recipe

12of 27

Grilled Pizza with Prosciutto

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (12)

Turn out pizza oven-quality pizzas with this technique from Johanne Killeen and George Germon, who pioneered grilled pizzas at Al Forno in Providence, Rhode Island.

Get the Recipe

13of 27

Spring Onion and Salami Sheet-Pan Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (13)

When making sheet-pan pizza, bring the dough to room temperature before shaping. This ensures the gluten is relaxed and the dough doesn't shrink from the pan edges.

Get the Recipe

Choucroute Pizzas

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (14)

Dijon mustard and tangy fermented sauerkraut cut through the creamy richness of melted Fontina and mozzarella, while salty pistachios add a pleasant crunch to this Alsatian choucroute garnie–inspired pizza.

Get the Recipe

15of 27

Roman Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (15)

This rectangular pie uses focaccia as the base for a simple topping of tomato sauce, melty stracciatella cheese, and basil leaves. It's unusually crisp, because it's drizzled with olive oil before baking.

Get the Recipe

16of 27

Cacio e Pepe Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (16)

At Sbanco restaurant in Rome, chef Stefano Callegari takes his time making this perfect pizza dough, topping it with the flavors of cacio e pepe pasta. He's also devised a clever trick: putting a bit of crushed ice on the dough as it goes into the hot oven to keep the center moist and tender while the bottom and edge become crisp and crackling.

Get the Recipe

17of 27

Summer Squash Pizza with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (17)

Zucchini and yellow squash can both be mild in flavor, but nothing about this tangy, herby pizza is bland. The summer squash is sliced into slender coins, then roasted in a hot oven until it's lightly caramelized, bringing out its sweetness.

Get the Recipe

18of 27

Breakfast Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (18)

Pizza is always a solid choice at breakfast time, and this particular pie, topped with sausage, eggs, and cheddar cheese, is always a hit. If you wish, you could add or substitute leftover cooked greens or roasted vegetables, sliced ham, or crisp bacon.

Get the Recipe

19of 27

Grilled Asparagus Pizzas with Gremolata

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (19)

The heat of the grill can wilt the freshest toppings, so chef Daniele Uditi spoons something bright — a blend of fresh herbs, crushed red pepper, and garlic — over the pizza once it comes off the grate.

Get the Recipe

20of 27

Vegan Wild Mushroom Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (20)

"The garlic crema balances the mushrooms' earthy flavor, while thinly sliced brussels sprouts add an awesome crunch," says chef Mary Dumont who shared this recipe from PlantPub in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Get the Recipe

21of 27

Fennel and Sweet Onion Pizza with Green Olives

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (21)

Miami chef Michael Schwartz makes this pizza with Pernod-braised fennel, caramelized onions, and Trugole, a semisoft Italian cheese that melts beautifully.

Get the Recipe

22of 27

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Béchamel Pizzas

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (22)

To give these individual pizzas an extra-luxe topping, chef Andres Barrera makes a velvety béchamel sauce with goat cheese and freshly grated nutmeg, then adds dollops of sautéed mushrooms.

Get the Recipe

23of 27

Nancy Silverton's Tomato-Oregano Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (23)

Chef Nancy Silverton's outstanding Neapolitan-style pizza is topped with only tomato sauce and oregano. The recipe yields nine eight-inch pizzas.

Get the Recipe

24of 27

Portobello Mushroom and Red Pepper Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (24)

This substantial pizza features meaty portobello mushrooms and bright red bell peppers, simply paired with fresh salted mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and fresh basil. If you don't have fresh basil, stir some pesto into the peppers and mushrooms before putting them on the pizza.

Get the Recipe

25of 27

Scallop and Bacon Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (25)

A quick, garlicky béchamel stands in for crème fraîche and cheese in this luxurious white pizza.

Get the Recipe

26of 27

Roasted Chicken and Leek Pizza

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (26)

Store-bought rotisserie chicken, with its juicy meat, makes a great topping for fast homemade pizza. Here, former Food & Wine editor Grace Parisi adds it to pizza with leeks, Fontina cheese, and spicy oil-cured olives. The finished pizza pairs perfectly with a crisp California Sauvignon Blanc.

Get the Recipe

27of 27

Pizza with Charred Cherry Tomatoes and Pesto

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (27)

Chef Shea Gallante tops these crisp-crusted individual pies with sweet tomatoes, aged Gouda, and a little pesto. The cherry tomato topping can be made one day in advance and refrigerated overnight — just bring it to room temperature before using.

Get the Recipe

27 Pizza Recipes to Perfect (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to the best pizza? ›

11 Essential Tips for Better Pizza | The Food Lab
  • Pick the Right Style.
  • Remember Your Dough-Making Options.
  • For a Better Crust, Try Cold Fermenting.
  • Buy Dough If You're in a Hurry.
  • Use a Rolling Pin If You Need To.
  • Top Your Pies Wisely.
  • Get Your Oven As Hot As You Can.
  • Use a Baking Steel.

How to layer the perfect pizza? ›

Cheese always goes belowthe toppings

You've got your dough as the foundation. Then your sauce. The cheese is the next solid layer. Then your toppings (after all, they're called top-pings and not bottom-ings), and then finally your garnishes like basil, pepper, fresh mozzarella, etc, after the pizza is cooked.

What are the best 3 meat toppings for pizza? ›

Fennel sausage, pepperoni, uncured bacon

Nonetheless, it's hard to go wrong when combining this crowd pleasing topping with sausage and bacon to create an amazing trinity of toppings. The fennel sausage adds further dimension to this combination, offering a fresh, spring-like aroma that many liken to anise.

Which cheese is best for pizza? ›

FAQs. What is the best melting cheese for pizza? The undisputed king of meltiness for cheese toppings is mozzarella. Classic mozzarella has the ideal balance of moisture, elasticity, and fat content for meltability.

What makes homemade pizza taste better? ›

Baldwin suggests making your toppings yourself for the best homemade pizza. "Slice your own pepperoni for a thicker cut, roast red peppers and garlic, crumble and sauté some sausage," she says. "Doing all these things from scratch makes the pizza truly great."

When making pizza does cheese go on first or last? ›

In general, the sauce should go on first, then the cheese, then the toppings. This way, the cheese and toppings enjoy the direct heat of the oven, which lets the toppings cook thoroughly while remaining crispy, while the cheese melts, browns, and bubbles.

Should you bake pizza crust before adding toppings? ›

If you're baking the pizza in the oven, whether on a pizza stone or not, I always pre-bake the dough for 4-5 minutes before adding toppings, to make sure the pizza dough cooks crisp on the outside and soft and airy in the middle. Once you add the Pizza Sauce and toppings, return it to the oven to finish baking.

What temperature do you bake pizza? ›

Generally, the hotter the oven, the better the pizza will be. The best oven temperature for pizza is between 450 and 500 degrees F (250 to 260 degrees C). Pizza ovens cook at temperatures between 800 and 900 degrees F. You can't get that hot in your home oven, but the higher you can go, the better.

Should pizza toppings be precooked? ›

Not pre-cooking your toppings

Because pizza cooks at such high temperatures, it's tempting to just allow your toppings to cook directly on the crust. This is fine for most veggies, but never take the chance with meat. Make sure to cook all meats and even tougher veggies like broccoli ahead of time.

What is the most unpopular pizza topping? ›

The nation's least favorite pizza topping is anchovies: 29% say it's their least favorite. You could say anchovies are polarizing but people lean hard to one pole: Only 1% name them as their favorite topping. Jalapeños (8%), pineapple (6%), eggplant (6%), broccoli (5%), and mushrooms (5%) follow — far behind.

What are 3 unusual pizza toppings? ›

Exploring Unconventional Pizza Toppings
  • Beetroot pesto with goat cheese. ...
  • Caramelised onions, apples and goat cheese. ...
  • Breakfast pizza. ...
  • ‍Bacon, sausage, jalapeno and sriracha sauce. ...
  • Rhubarb, basil and apple honey BBQ sauce. ...
  • Grilled honey chicken with sriracha sauce. ...
  • Calamari. ...
  • Red peanut curry.
Aug 8, 2023

What is the most ordered pizza in America? ›

However, according to a survey by YouGov America, pepperoni pizza is by far the most ordered pizza in the United States. Why? Pepperoni has a savory salty taste with just the right amount of spice, has a texture softer than salami, and melds perfectly with a variety of sauces, cheeses, and crust types.

How many toppings should a pizza have? ›

We typically never offer more than 5 toppings on our pizza, why? We've found that more than 5 toppings will lead to the pizza cooking incorrectly. The bottom will still cook in the same amount of time, but the top will take much longer, leading to a high likelihood that the bottom will burn.

What makes a delicious pizza? ›

The top chefs all agree that the best pizzas are all about the crust, so salt in the dough should never be sacrificed at the altar of salty toppings. “Building a pizza is like building anything else – you have to make compromises and consider the whole when choosing the parts.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 5971

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.