It’s no secret that Americans love their pizza, with 13% of the population each some form of pizza each day.
Sure, pepperoni pizza is a classic go-to, topping 36% of all pizza ordered. But are you ready to take pizza night to the next level? No one wants to eat boring pizza!
From your favorite ingredients to bold and daring toppings, we’ve got you covered. Read along to find new flavor combinations and ideas for your pizza pie.
Veggies For Days
If you’re stuck in a pizza rut, it may be time to change up the flavor profile of your pizza! One of the most subtle ways to mix it up? Adding a few vegetables to your pizza pie.
Roasted Red Peppers
If you’re wary of adding veggies to your pizza, start with a subtle addition. Roasted red peppers have a faint sweetness that compliments the sharpness of the cheese. Since they’re roasted, they also have a smokiness that adds a bit of flavor.
Brussel Sprouts
If you want to feel good about eating pizza, try adding Brussel sprouts! Depending on how they’re cooked, you can transform the texture of your pizza.
To make soft Brussel sprouts, boil the sprouts before adding them to your pizza. Then, just let them bake right on the pizza pie! But, if you prefer crunchier sprouts, roast them before adding them to your pizza.
Broccoli
If you’re looking to switch up textures on your pizza, try adding broccoli. Though they’re not a traditional pizza topping, they’re loaded with vitamin C and iron. By adding a small bunch to your next pie, you can count it as a serving of veggies!
Meat Lovers
If your ideal pizza is packed with sausage, pepperoni, and ham, try out these fun alternatives! By trying out different meats, you’ll make a bold impact on your pizza’s flavor profile.
Bison
You may have heard of a bison burger, but have you ever thought about adding ground bison to your pizza? Unlike other large game animals, bison meat is slightly sweet with an earthy undertone. It is lighter than beef as well and packed with iron.
Lamb
Adding lamb to your pizza grants an overall smokiness to your pie. Ground lamb has a bit more fat than ground beef and is more tender. Some restaurants add spices and herbs to take away a game-like flavor left on the meat.
Prosciutto
Traditionally, prosciutto is a dry-cured ham that is served uncooked. The meat is thinly sliced and has a salty taste to it. Ham prosciutto has a dynamic taste, as each piece is streaked with fat.
Don’t stop at trying ham prosciutto, though. Try out duck, lamb, goat, or deer prosciutto as well! These meats will have varying tastes, but the preparation style and salinity will be the same.
Chicken
If you’re looking for a relatively lighter meat option, try grilled chicken. Adding this protein to your pizza provides versatility in added sauces, such as balsamic, buffalo, and barbeque. To achieve perfectly grilled chicken, it’s important that your grill has good temperature control. Otherwise, you might end up with overcooked or undercooked meat. Chicken is very versatile, though, so you can also marinate it before cooking to give it a bit of flavor. If you need more grilling tips, you can view this website to see some grill options, reviews, and cooking advice.
If you’re looking for an even wilder flavor but not necessarily a lighter choice, try out fried chicken. You’ll find various flavor options with fried chicken as well, including Nashville hot chicken and southwest styles.
Cheese Fanatics
Are you more interested in the cheese on your pizza than the things that cover it up? If you’re bored of the tried-and-true mozzarella, check out these unique cheeses to dramatically change up the flavor profile of your pizza pies! For best results, many of these cheeses are blended with mozzarella on your pie.
Cheddar
If you prefer a sharper cheese, spring for cheddar! While the cheese will be creamy and smooth, the nutty taste transforms the pizza.
Cheddar lends itself to creating dynamic pizzas. Use it with more savory toppings and meat-heavy options. The flavors will meld together to create a harmonious bite every time!
Goat
If you’re looking for a bigger flavor transformation, go for goat cheese! This creamy cheese adds a bit of tartness to your pizza and brings out the earthy tones of your ingredients.
Goat cheese pairs well with rich toppings like caramelized onions and peppers. Try goat cheese on Mediterranean pizzas and flatbreads!
Feta
When added to your favorite pizza pie, feta cheese brings its signature saltiness. Feta also has a tanginess that pairs great with olives, pepperoni, and onion.
Ricotta
If a rich and creamy pizza is what you’re looking for, ricotta has your back. This soft Italian cheese is as smooth as it gets when looking for flavorful alternatives. Ricotta is commonly used as the base cheese in “white pizzas” that are made with olive oil or pesto instead of red sauce.
For a balanced taste, try ricotta with lighter ingredients like pizza and vegetables. If you want a more dynamic slice, try it with red meats and mild vegetables like broccoli.
Pizza Flavor Combinations
Now that your mouth is watering from all the delicious toppings listed above, look over these flavor combinations to try on your next pizza pie!
- Feta, bacon, and onion
- Goat cheese, prosciutto, and Brussel sprouts with a balsamic glaze
- Cheddar, chicken, and roasted red peppers
- Ricotta, grilled chicken, and artichoke hearts
- Bison and broccoli
- Feta, lamb, olives, and garlic
- Prosciutto and fig
- Sausage, mushroom, and spinach
The flavor combinations you can choose are endless! If you’re looking for more fun and creative pizza pie combinations, check out the menu at Wiseguypizzapie.com.
Choosing a Pizza Pie
Tough time deciding which pizza pie is your new favorite? Throw a pizza party!
For tips on hosting the best party, cleaning up your space, and other delicious foods to try, check out the Home tab on our blog!