It should come as no surprise to anyone that pizza is America’s favorite food. A recent survey of 2,000 adults found that if they could only eat one food for the rest of their lives, 21% of respondents said they would choose pizza. Steak was in second place with 16%, followed by hamburger (13%), tacos (11%), and pasta (11%).
Pizza is recognized as being an Italian dish, specifically from Naples. It was brought to the United States by Italian immigrants and quickly became one of the country’s most beloved foods. The first pizzeria opened in New York City in 1905.
Pizza is a dish for all seasons and every kind of mood. Whether you are watching the game on TV, having a party with friends, or eating out in a restaurant, pizza is always a great option.
Perhaps what’s best about pizza is how creative you can be with the toppings. There is an endless amount of pizza combinations that you can create. There are also different types of pizza bases, from Chicago deep-dish to Neapolitan and stuffed crusts.
In this blog post, we will highlight 8 amazing pizza combinations that you should totally try, whether you are heading out to a restaurant or cooking at home.
- Pizza Margherita
Let’s start with a true classic. The Pizza Margherita is a typical Neapolitan pizza, that consists of mozzarella cheese, San Marzano tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and a dash of salt. It is said that this type of pizza was invested in 1889 by an Italian chef called Raffaele Esposito.
It gets its name from Queen Margherita of Savoy, who is said to have preferred eating pizza over French-style food during a visit to Naples. Given how tasty this combination is, we can certainly understand her reasoning!
- Hawaiian Pizza
Here’s a controversial option, to say the least! Many people shudder at the thought of putting pineapple on their pizza, especially when it is paired with ham. Others, however, swear by this combination and love the combination of these two toppings.
Hawaiian Pizza is neither an Italian or Hawaiian creation. In fact, it was invented in Canada in 1962 by Greek immigrants. It is traditional to use Candanian ham on these pizzas, which makes sense given that it originated north of the border.
A recent roll even found that a majority of people (53%) say they enjoy eating pineapple on their pizzas.
- Barbecue Sauce Pizza
While tomato has traditionally been used on pizzas, many people enjoy mixing things up and opting for barbecue sauce for a spicy kick and extra flavor.
It’s especially great in the summertime and can be paired with just about any other toppings. Some recommended options here at chicken, beef, peppers, and onions.
- Alternative Bases
While pizza is not usually considered to be the healthiest of options for lunch or dinner, it can be with some creativity. One great option for a healthier pizza is to swap out the dough and opt for a cauliflower crust. You’ll reduce the number of calories and fat in your pizza and it still tastes great.
Other options for healthy bases include mashed chickpeas, whole wheat pita, whole wheat tortillas, quinoa, and portobello mushrooms.
- Healthy Toppings
There are also plenty of healthy options when it comes to pizza toppings. We recommend choosing whole ingredients and avoiding processed meats and added sugars. Grilled chicken and fresh vegetables allow you to boost the nutrition content of your pizza.
Garlic, onions, red pepper, tofu, arugula, black beans, figs, black olives, butternut squash, artichokes, spinach, broccoli, pineapple, kale, eggplant, and sweet potato are all healthy toppings.
- Pepperoni Pizza
Pepperoni pizza is another true classic of the genre. Meaty, chewy, and spicy, pepperoni and pizza go together perfectly. Pepperoni was invited by members of the Italian community in New York City in the early 1900s and is a staple for pizza lovers right across the States.
It pairs perfectly with hot peppers, other meats such as sausage and chicken, and with different types of cheese. If you’re not sure which topping you want to have, pepperoni is always a safe bet.
- Chicken Fajita Pizza
This is another pizza combination that is full of flavor. It’s a great recipe to cook at home and tastes great when paired with spicy tomato sauce for an extra kick. The black pepper, ground cumin, and paprika all help to make this a sizzling and delicious pizza that all the family will love.
- Seafood Pizza
There are so many great seafood ingredients that can add to your pizza. These include prawns, smoked salmon, scallops, shrimp, anchovies, squid, and mussels.
This is a pizza where you can be as creative as you like. It’s also a means of making your pizza as healthy as possible.
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Pizza Combinations You Should Totally Try
When it comes to pizza, there are no rules. We encourage you to be as creative as you like when choosing your pizza toppings, sauces, and bases. There is no one stopping you from putting banana, cabbage, noodles, or even grapes on your pizza—if that is to your taste!
Pizza is all about having fun so get creative with your combinations. You never know, you might just stumble upon the next version of a Hawaiian Pizza.
Like this blog post on the best pizza combinations that you should try? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.