The Most Unique Pizza Recipes You Need To Try ASAP
It's the most customizable meal there is. It's beloved by everyone from picky kids to broke college students. It's practically a universal love language. What are we talking about? Glorious, glorious pizza, of course. From a basic cheese pie to meat lover's supreme, and everything in between, there's a pizza out there for everyone. Maybe that's why the average American is estimated to put away about 40 pizzas a year (adding up to about three billion pizzas eaten in the US annually, per Slice Life).
But if you're getting tired of plain old pepperoni, or feeling way over the pineapple-on-a-pizza shtick, that's understandable. So why not get creative with your next pie, with a little help from Mashed? We've rounded up some of our most unique pizza recipes for you, from the ultimate holiday pizza to a mind-boggling one pot pizza sensation. These easy and out-of-the-box recipes will satisfy all your cravings, one slice at a time.
Spaghetti and Meatballs Pizza
Sometimes you just know you're in the mood for some comforting Italian food, but it's not that simple. Do you go with the classic spaghetti and meatballs, or a never-fail slice of hot bubbly pizza, complete with a crispy crust you can easily eat with your hand? We say just have the best of both worlds with this recipe for spaghetti and meatballs pizza.
Fair warning: While the steps are simple, this is not a recipe you necessarily throw together. In order to create this carb-filled combo meal, you'll have to make the meatballs, sauce and noodles, before assembling the pizza. It's worth noting that the recipe can include shortcuts, like using frozen meatballs and jarred tomato sauce, which will still yield a delicious pizza, in much less time. But if you're up for making it from scratch, we promise the end result is totally worth it.
One-Pot Pizza Rigatoni
If you're still looking for a way to reconcile your cravings for pizza and pasta, you could also check out this recipe for one-pot pizza rigatoni. This 30-minute meal is gooey, cheesy, comfort food packed with a flavorful kick from your favorite pizza toppings. Plus, the recipe is easy and customizable, so you can turn the pizza of your dreams into a bowl of tonight's dinner, all in just half an hour. But if you're looking for toppings inspiration, the recipe author suggests pepperoncini, saying the "mild, sweet peppers add such a great dimension of flavor," as well as pineapple, fresh basil leaves, or even a hot honey drizzle.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Pizza
Every year at the end of November we all face the same dilemma — what to do with all those dang Thanksgiving leftovers? There are recipes all over the internet with tips to reheat and repurpose those ingredients. Maybe a leftover turkey chili or healthy turkey soup, plus some leftover mashed potato pancakes, and even a meatloaf made from leftover stuffing. All that sounds great, but also like a whole lot of work — put all those pots and pans away and opt for an easy and yummy Thanksgiving leftovers pizza instead.
This recipe covers all your major bases in a new and tasty way. The extra potatoes get whipped with goat cheese to make the "sauce." The toppings include leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, and bits of stuffing. All of this is baked to perfection under a drizzle of gravy and a sprinkle of cheese. The recipe also includes instructions for making a pizza dough from scratch, but you can easily skip those steps and opt for your favorite store-bought pizza crust.
From-Scratch Mug Pizza
This goes without saying for anyone who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s: There are few snacks better than microwaveable pizza. On any given weekday, kids across America were racing home from school and making a beeline for the freezer to zap some Totino's Pizza Rolls or Bagel Bites in the microwave. If you're craving that nostalgic experience in a grownup form (or maybe just burnt out from all that pandemic cooking for one), look no further than this cozy recipe for from-scratch mug pizza. All you need is a mug, some basic ingredients, and approximately five minutes, and you've got a piping hot cheese pizza for one.
Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
This list of unique pizza recipes wouldn't feel complete without a Mexican pizza. But we can't take credit for that one — Taco Bell made the fusion dish famous back in 1988, when it was first introduced on fast food menus around the country. We can, however, take credit for this awesome copycat Taco Bell Mexican pizza recipe so you can whip up the dish for yourself at home. The recipe comes together in about 20 minutes, and trust us, the meat and the sauce taste almost identical to Taco Bell's version.
Keto Margherita Pizza
If you're a pizza lover looking for a way to cut carbs, this keto margherita pizza is everything you've been dreaming of. The dough recipe for the crust uses almond flour instead of refined all-purpose flour and a whole lot of mozzarella cheese, so it's technically gluten-free on top of being keto-friendly. And if the thought of handmade pizza dough overwhelms you, don't worry — this recipe is super simple, letting a food processor do most of the work. Plus, there are tips included to make rolling out and working with the dough as easy as, well, pie (pun intended). The recipe also calls for fresh mozzarella and a handful of sweet, fragrant basil at the end, for an authentic margherita taste we know and love.
Homemade Deep Dish Pizza
Unless you live in a particular midwestern city situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, it's probably not everyday you get to dig into a deep dish pizza. The Chicago-style classic turns the idea of pizza upside down — literally — with the cheese going on the bottom and the sauce on top. And it's so worth a try. This recipe for homemade deep dish pizza will help you make it happen at home, no matter where you are. The detailed recipe walks you through exactly how to make the dough from scratch (with a lot of butter involved, we might add) plus how to put together a simple, homemade tomato sauce. The only skill needed is some patience, as you wait for the dough to rise twice and then bake. But at least you can work up a worthy appetite.