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Mangia!
By Eric Webb — Written on Feb 09, 2019
National Pizza Day is on February 9, 2019 and this is the perfect time to do some self-reflection on how strong your pizza game is. There's so many pizza slices and so little time...
You might want to ask yourself, what pizzas have you had lately?
If you’ve stuck to plain cheese or pepperoni your whole life you should take a walk on the wild side this year and try something new.
Pizza has a rich history and has changed over the years. From thin crust to Chicago deep dish style, and pizzas with white sauce or red, and even olive oil the choices are endless.
There's even gluten free pizza, and if you're vegetarian or vegan, there's a hot slice of pizza with cheese that's not only lactose free but good for you, too.
After all, the world is a big place, with a lot of toppings. At least that’s what pizza lovers say. So, when National Pizza Day arrives, of course, you want to either make your own or get some delivered at home in time for your Netflix movie binge watch night.
For today let’s run through 20 flavors, and I bet after you’re done reading this you’ll use Google Maps in your phone to see if your local pizzeria has any of these slices.
It doesn't matter what your personal pizza preferences are, your pizza is as special as you are.
First, I’ll tell you my top four and then share the top pizza types that all pie lovers rejoice over, and if you haven't tried them all, you may want to.
1. Plain cheese, thin crust and red sauce with garlic powder and black pepper (and lots of it).
Pizza Dough
8 ounce can of tomato Sauce
1/2 cup of margarine or butter
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
2 tablespoons of grafted parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons of black pepper (added)
This is one of the many underrated pizza flavors but it’s the perfect mix of a mild spicy kick and delicious garlic (just don’t forget to brush your teeth after) haha!
2. Plain, no cheese with red sauce and a thin crust.
Recipe from The New York Times
Pizza Dough
28-ounce can of San Marzano Tomatoes
2 tablespoons of basil leaves (thinly sliced)
Extra virgin olive oil (to drizzle)
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Before you judge me, the best pizza of this kind that I had was from this to-die-for pizzeria called Dar Poeta in Rome, Italy when I did a semester abroad there. The sauce was so sweet and flavorful and the bread was fresh and perfectly cooked that I’ve contemplated going back across the pond just for this!
3. Broccoli pizza with white sauce on thin crust or deep dish.
Pizza Dough
3/4 lb of broccoli
Zest and juice from 1/2 a lemon
2 ounces coarsely grated provolone
4 ounces of mozzarella torn into small clumps
1/2 cup finely grated pecorino romano
Salt and red pepper flakes
As long as the broccoli isn’t overcooked this is a delicious slice because the texture (in addition to the taste) of cooked broccoli goes perfectly with bread, sauce and cheese. However it’s one of those things that go well together but would be weird if separated. So don’t hold me accountable if you have some pizza with a side of broccoli!
4. Barbeque Chicken Pizza
Pizza Dough
1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons of dark barbecue sauce
1 8-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2/3 cup of grated smoked gouda cheese (about 3 ounces)
2/3 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 3 ounces)
1/2 small red onion
Fresh cilantro for topping
Such a good slice, not much can be said besides barbecue chicken and pizza, why not?
5. Deep-dish pizza with black olives and pepperoni.
Pizza Dough
8 ounce can of tomato Sauce
1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese
1 cup of sliced pepperoni
3/4 cup of black olives
1/2 of a sliced red onion
My friend Becca recommended this for two reasons. First she enjoys the combination of flavors. Secondly, her parents always ordered it when she was a kid so she learned to like it. So for those who are family planning, make sure your kids’ first slice of pizza is monumental haha!
6. A combination of Hawaiian pizza and meat lover's pizza.
Pizza Dough
8 ounce can of tomato Sauce
1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese
4-5 cups of cubed pineapples
1 pound of ham (which you personally slice thin)
My friend Emily recommended this type of pizza slice and says she has to have them together because she likes the heartiness of the meat lovers and she says the pineapple adds a nice kick.
7. Thin-crust buffalo chicken pizza.
Pizza dough
8 ounce can of tomato sauce
1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese
1 chicken breast (which you slice into cubes)
3 tablespoons of butter or margarine (melted)
1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/4 cup (or less) of hot sauce)
My co-worker Nick suggested this slice simply because "it’s freaking buffalo chicken!", as he (sort of) put it. If you enjoy buffalo chicken you know it’s best, then once you throw cheese on it that makes it even better.
8. Bacon chicken ranch pizza.
Pizza dough
8 ounce can of tomato sauce
2 cups of mozzarella cheese
2 cups of cooked chicken (cubed)
6 slices of bacon (crumbled)
2/3 cup of ranch dressing
My co-worker Angelina simply said, "This pizza is BOMB". What gets better than that?!
9. Classic plain cheese New York style pizza.
Recipe from The New York Times
Pizza Dough
28-ounce can of San Marzano Tomatoes
8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons of basil leaves (thinly sliced)
Extra virgin olive oil (to drizzle)
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Grated parmesan (to sprinkle)
If you’re like my co-worker Jessica, who believes simplicity is key, this is probably the slice for you.
10. Chicken Alfredo pizza.
Pizza dough
2 1/2 teaspoons butter
1 garlic clove minced
1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
1 tablespoon of minced fresh parsley
1 cup of cooked chicken breast (cubed)
1 cup of thinly sliced portobello mushroom
1 cup of fresh baby spinach
2 cups of shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
My co-worker Santiago puts food away like it’s his second job (and lowkey might be the next Guy Fieri) so if he says this is the best pizza hands down, it’s probably worth a bite.
11. Italian Sausage pizza.
Pizza dough
1/2 cup of tomato sauce
6 oz of fresh mozzarella cheese
1/2 Boar's Head natural casing pepperoni sliced (optional)
1 link sweet italian sausage casing removed
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon of dried basil
1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon of dried aregano
My aunt Tracy loves Italian Sausage (as do I) and insists that when you add it to pizza, it’s a game changer.
12. Pepperoni and sausage deep dish pizza.
Pizza dough
2-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2-1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 pound bulk Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni
1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
My grandmother loves the saltines of the pepperoni and the sweetness of the sausage together. And if grandma likes it, you know it's good.
13. Vegetable pizza.
Pizza dough
8 ounce can of tomato sauce
1 cup of cheddar cheese
1 cup of chopped tomatoes
1 cup of chopped green bell pepper
1 cup of chopped cauliflower
1 cup of fresh broccoli
1 cup of shredded carrots
My aunt Mosetta loves vegetable on any and absolutely anything, if you do too and enjoy pizza, mix them why don’t you!
14. Ziti pizza.
Recipe from Life is But A Dish
Pizza dough
1 cup of uncooked ziti
1/2 cup of tomato sauce
2 tablespoons of ricotta cheese
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of dried aregano
1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
My mom loves this slice because it’s way more hearty/tasty than the bland cheese and sauce.
15. Mac and cheese pizza with white sauce.
Pizza dough
8 ounce can of tomato sauce
1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup of elbow macaroni
1 17 oz jar of cheese sauce
2 tablespoons of butter
Sprinkles of salt/pepper
My friend Bailey loves any and everything cheese, and I’m learning more and more people are like that. If you are too, it’s definitely worth a try.
16. Spaghetti and meatball thin crust pizza.
Pizza Dough
2 cups of cooked spaghetti
3/4 pound of bulk sausage
1/3 italian bread crumbs
1 1/2 cups of Ragu Old World Style Traditional sauce
Spaghetti and meatballs are one of my favorite dishes. If that’s true for you too, why wouldn’t you try it?
17. Bacon pizza.
Pizza dough
1/2 cup of tomato sauce
1/2 pound of fresh mozzarella
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 small red onion
1-2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese
1 cup of arugula
6 slices of bacon (cut in quarters)
It’s bacon. Enough said.
18. Garlic shrimp deep dish pizza with garlic oil.
Recipe from Cooking With Curls
Pizza dough
1/2 lb deveined shelled medium shrimp, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garlic Shrimp is an underrated taste, lets enlighten our fellow pizza lovers and mix the two!
19. Lobster roll pizza with garlic oil.
Pizza dough
3 cups of lobster meat, chopped into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup of butter
2 cloves of garlic
3 ribs of celery diced
1 small yellow onion
1/2 cup of pecorino romano cheese
3 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
You like lobster rolls? If you add it to pizza, the only thing extra you’re getting is marinara sauce so it seems worth a try. Plus, it will be probably one of the most expensive pizzas you've ever eaten.
20. Meat loaf pizza.
Pizza dough
8 ounce can of tomato sauce
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/3 cup Progresso bread crumbs
1 teaspoon instant minced onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese
Think of it as lasagna with no pasta.