25 Best Pizza Topping Ideas
Just the name “Pizza” can make one hungry at any given point of time. It brings up images of gooey cheese, tangy sauce, and a crispy crust with many delicious toppings. The toppings on the pizza very much contributes to the overall taste of the pizza. The different toppings also give birth to different types of pizza to choose from.
This article from Forli Italian Restaurant is going to discuss some of the best pizza toppings you can use. After this, you’ll be confused what to use first on your pizza.
To make it easy we’ll categorize them into vegetarian and non-vegetarian toppings.
Non-vegetarian choices:
Pepperoni
Sausage
Salami
Shredded Chicken
Bacon
Ham
Beef
Prawns
Shrimp
Anchovies
Vegetarian choices:
Mushroom
Black Olives
Onions
Tomatoes
Jalapeno
Bell Pepper
Basil
Pineapple
Extra Cheese (Any)
Spinach
Eggplant
Zucchini
Artichoke
Broccoli
Cilantro
Non- Vegetarian Choices
1. Pepperoni
Pepperoni is an eternally loved topping on a pizza. The spicy and meaty taste of a pepperoni blends fantastically well with the cheese and pizza crust. Without a doubt, it is one of the leading picks for pizza topping ideas. Pepperoni gets a leading role in the famous Diavola pizza.
2. Sausage
Sausage is also a massively loved pizza topping. The meaty goodness of sausage adds another level to the pizza. You can use the sausages in various ways. You can evenly dice them or use longer pieces that are cut through the middle. The most commonly used method is using evenly diced sausage. In most cases, sausages are fried to get some crispiness into them. Additionally, you can find varieties of sausages that carry unique features to add on the pizza.
3. Salami
Salami is the perfect alternative to pepperoni if you’re looking to dial down the hotness to a deeper and richer taste. This cured meat is great on top of a pizza providing meaty taste combining well with other ingredients.
4. Shredded Chicken
Shredded chicken deserves a pivotal role in any chicken-themed pizza. Shredded pieces of chicken on a pizza are loved by all as they can be eaten both with the pizza or simply off the pizza.
5. Bacon
Bacon is not just great at breakfast. It is frequently used as toppings on pizza to add another range of flavour. The salty, crunchy and smoky feature of bacon is a great addition to the cheesy tangy haven called pizza.
6. Ham
Ham is a great topping that deserves a place at your next pizza party. It is relatively milder than bacon with a more meaty flavour than the crunchy one of bacon. It goes well with the other toppings and keeps the taste standards high. Add small diced bits of ham on your pizza and let it do its magic.
7. Beef
Many would not believe that beef has become a popular pizza topping. Believe us, beef isn't just for burgers anymore. Using ground or shredded beef on pizza adds a meaty layer of goodness on the pizza. It works well with the cheese and other toppings. Each bite of this amazing combination is an explosion of flavours.
8. Prawn
Prawn is a juicy and healthy topping you can add on a pizza. Prawn is a leading pick if you want to bring the sea-party to your pizza plate. Prawn, with its sweet and plump taste, brings a delicious taste of the ocean to the pizza. Prawns on pizza are a delight for seafood lovers.
9. Shrimp
Shrimp, like prawn, is an equally fabulous topping on a pizza, if not better. The juicy and tender meat of a shrimp adds an amazing touch of ocean into the pizza. Shrimp goes well with the cheese and a variety of other toppings you choose to add.
10. Anchovy
Anchovy might be a bold choice on a pizza but hang with us here. These tiny fish pack a huge punch of umami richness that elevates the taste of every slice of pizza. If you’re worried about the smell, let us assure you that they mellow out after cooking. They are great on their own as well as with other toppings.
Vegetarian Choices
1. Mushroom
Now we enter the realm of vegetarian choices for pizza toppings.
Mushroom is one of the most-loved veggies on a pizza. The tender and chewy features of mushroom make it great to go with the cheese and soft pizza crust. Mushroom also soaks in the flavours of the tomato sauce and cheese to create a delicate combination.
2. Black Olives
Black olives are a great addition to your pizza recipe as they pack a punch of flavours. They provide a delightful briny taste that blend well with the tomato sauce and cheese. You can choose to bake the pizza with the olives or just top the pizza with it. It goes well both ways. Black olives are healthy as well with their antioxidant properties, so why not.
3. Onions
Onions are a great topping on any dish, let alone a pizza. It can be used as a topping in many ways. The best way to use onions as a topping on pizza is by caramelising it. Caramelised onions add a unique sweetness to a pizza going well with other toppings. You can also opt to use raw and finely diced onions on the pizza. Any way you use it, you’ll be amazed.
4. Tomatoes
We know you’ll say that tomatoes are already in the sauce. But adding fresh tomato slices on top of a pizza can add more juiciness to a pizza. The tangy sweetness of tomatoes directly complements the richness of the cheese perfectly. You can also opt to use sun-dried tomatoes instead of regular tomatoes if that’s your thing.
5. Jalapeno
When it is time to increase heat on the pizza, it is time for jalapeno to make its entry. Jalapenos aren't afraid to turn up the heat on pizza packing a bold and powerful punch of spiciness. Jalapenos can be thinly sliced or diced before going on top of the pizza. It can also be used through a pickle to add tanginess along with hotness to a pizza.
6. Bell Pepper
Bell peppers add an earthy grassy taste to the pizza along with some heat. Available mainly in three colours, green, red and yellow, they offer a wide range of flavour addition. They bring a crispy bite and juice flavour during chewing. They are unique and provide varieties as well. Something, you can experiment on.
7. Basil
Basil is one of the classic toppings on pizza dating back to the early days of the modern pizza. This leafy green herb adds a fresh, and almost magical touch to your pizza. Once the pizza is out of the oven, the basil is sprinkled on it.
8. Spinach
Staying on the green course, spinach is another popular topping on a pizza. I know many of you do not like spinach anywhere. But it is loved by the ones that do. Spinach is also a team player among toppings, meaning it won’t disturb the taste of other toppings that you may like. It will silently stay back and add healthy goodness to a pizza.
9. Extra Cheese
Now, who would not like additional cheese of their choice on their pizza.
10. Pineapple
It is time to add some Hawaiian touch to pizza. Pineapple is a classic topping on a Hawaiian pizza. This tropical fruit might be the pizza world's biggest debate, but it is massively loved by the ones in favour of it. Juice pieces of pineapples on a pizza bring a burst of sunshine with its sweet and tangy flavour.
11. Eggplant
Eggplant is a versatile vegetable to add on your pizza. Sliced eggplant are roasted or grilled before adding onto a pizza. It becomes soft and sweet after it is cooked and blends amazingly with the cheese and other toppings.
12. Zucchini
Zucchini is part of the gourd family and due to it many people do not love zucchini on a pizza. However it is gaining ground as a popular pizza topping. It adds an earthy and fresh flavour to pizzas. For better taste, zucchini is often sauteed or grilled before adding on the pizza. A bold but worthy pizza topping to try.
13. Artichoke
Artichoke are unique veggies and a hidden gem among the pizza toppings group. They are marinated or seasoned to get more flavours into them and then chopped or sliced before throwing them on the pizza. The artichoke's heart has a meaty texture that contrasts perfectly with the gooey cheese.
14. Broccoli
Broccoli is a surprisingly delicious pizza topping if you give it a try. It can be a different try from your usual toppings. You can use broccoli on a pizza by roasting it before chopping it to go on the pizza. Crispy bits of broccoli with the crust, cheese and other toppings is a combination that will elevate the range of your pizza party.
15. Cilantro
Cilantro is a leafy herb that packs a flavour punch with its citrusy, peppery notes. It is popularly used to garnish many vegetables, stews, gravies and other dishes. Without a surprise, it is popularly used in pizzas too. It is cut thin and sprinkled on the pizza after it is taken out of the oven.
Conclusion
From your classic toppings to some of the bold ones, we are confident this list will help you elevate the variety of toppings you use on your pizza. So, don't be afraid to get creative and craft your own pizza masterpiece.
Or you can visit Forli Italian Restaurant - one of the best pizza restaurants in Balmain, Sydney.
