Beyond Pepperoni: Unique Pizza Toppings to Try
We’ve all seen it: our favorite TV characters are ordering pizzas, and the first shout for pizza toppings is, “Pepperoni!”
Of course, pepperoni is a classic and certainly has its place on the menu, but what if you’re bored with the same old? Does jazzing up your pizza with new flavors sound intriguing?
Well, look no further for unique pizza topping ideas! We’re creating a pizza toppings list for even the most adventurous palate. Let’s get started!
PIZZA TOPPINGS BY CUISINE
One of the easiest ways to rethink pizza toppings is to think outside the usual box of sausage, pepperoni, or supreme and consider the whole flavor profile. What better way to do that than to take inspiration from your favorite cuisines?
1. Italian Pizza Toppings
This one may sound like a slam dunk because of pizza’s origins in Italy, but don’t be so quick to dismiss it here. While Italian sausage and pepperoni might be staple toppings, there are a host of other pizza toppings Italian cuisine might inspire.
Eggplant parmesan is one such option, and there are multiple ways to include it. Roasting or grilling the eggplant adds more flavor, and then once it’s on the pizza, blending shredded parmesan (rather than grated) into the cheese adds depth to the flavors of every slice.
Another flavorful option for pizza toppings from Italy is the kalamata olive. You can also consider cheeses that go well with kalamata olives, such as feta.
2. Mexican Pizza Toppings
Your mind might immediately jump to taco pizza. Some pizzerias have made a name for themselves with such a menu item. However, we’re here to think outside the pizza delivery box to imagine the best pizza toppings we can.
Substitute the traditional tomato sauce for a Mexican-inspired salsa and cover the pie with pizza toppings like street corn, jalapeño, and shredded beef or chicken for a mighty fine people-pleaser.
Consider the versatile burrito: any of those layered ingredients make fantastic pizza toppings: refried beans, seasoned rice, black beans, sweet corn, and tomatoes. Substitute the regular mozzarella with supremely melty Oaxaca cheeses, often used for queso.
3. Indian Cuisine Pizza Toppings
There are a host of pizza topping ideas when considering Indian cuisine as inspiration.
You can turn your pizza into a curry-flavored dream by topping it with marinated chicken cooked in a tandoor and substituting the pizza sauce with butter chicken’s spiced tomato and butter sauce. Or a korma sauce. A tikka masala flavor profile might also be delicious, although that dish’s origins are British and inspired by Indian curries.
Variations on a Pizza Topping Theme
If a specific cuisine isn’t inspiring, perhaps other flavor profiles can have you hankering for different pizza toppings.
4. Veggie Pizza Toppings
Some veggies are go-to pizza toppings, but they can get a little ho-hum. Onions, peppers, mushrooms, olives, and tomatoes are nice, but they may need help now and then. Even cooking them a different way might spruce them up.
Caramelizing the onion, roasting red peppers instead of green, and using cherry tomatoes rather than relying on tomato sauce could be excellent choices. Adding roasted veggies like broccoli, zucchini, and even potatoes can be a game changer. Garlic, while not a vegetable, can give any pizza a whole new layer of depth. The same can be said for jalapeños.
But what about whole new vegetarian profiles? Consider fig, goat cheese, and arugula on a pizza. Beets, goat cheese, and walnuts could elevate your slices.
5. BBQ Pizza Toppings
Sometimes, you just want a delicious BBQ and a tasty pizza. Why not both? Combine pulled pork or chicken with a smoky BBQ sauce instead of the traditional tomato sauce on your pizza, and you have an amazing-tasting BBQ-themed pizza.
You could take it a step further and add roasted corn-on-the-cob as a pizza topping to your BBQ pizza. Do you have an incredible recipe for baked beans? Make them a topping, too! Experiment and see what goes well together.
6. Cheeseburger Pizza Toppings
It may sound strange to try and make a pizza taste like a cheeseburger by putting pickles, onions, diced tomatoes, and even lettuce (after it’s baked) on pizza, but it can be remarkably tasty!
The tomato sauce works as the ketchup, and don’t forget the mustard! Whether you work it into the sauce or drizzle it on top, the game-changing ingredient elevates this pizza theme into cheeseburger territory.
The best part is you can experiment with many different cheeses—cheddar, gouda, provolone, mozzarella, or even pepper jack—based on flavor depth and level of meltiness.
Follow Your Favorite Dishes
Consider your favorite foods outside of pizza. Do you love mac n cheese? Maybe there’s a way to incorporate that into your pizza. Bacon and eggs connoisseur? A breakfast pizza may be the next experiment on your agenda.
That’s the beautiful versatility of pizza. There are so many ways to make it your own, an infinite combination of pizza toppings to mix and match for layers of flavorful depth to make your taste buds dance.
If you’re feeling inspired but don’t know where to begin, Plaza Pizza® can help you start your unique pizza toppings checklist with a BLT pizza, a BBQ Chicken pizza, and even a Buffalo Chicken pizza hot and fresh from the oven! We’ve even got a dessert pizza with apple pie filling and streusel topping, drizzled with icing for the perfect finish to a satisfying meal!
Plaza Pizza® has been serving Ohio residents for over 50 years. With classic and distinctive pizza toppings, we look forward to serving our customers’ pizza carryout and delivery needs for 50+ more! Order today!
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