25 Specialty Pizza Ideas for a Next-Level Pizza Night

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Taco Pizza

We love combining Mexican and Italian flavors and techniques (hello, Mexican lasagna), and taco pizza is a fun way to fuse two satisfying comfort foods. Garnish with pickled red onions for some more tangy crunch.

“Convenient prebaked crust makes this tasty taco pizza as easy as can be. It’s a great recipe, especially if you have teenagers. I keep the ingredients on hand so that we can whip up this filling meal anytime.” —Recipe contributor Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland

Copycat Little Caesar's Pretzel Crust Pizza Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Copycat Little Caesar's Pretzel Crust Pizza

Salty, yeasty pretzel crust makes the perfect base for melty cheese and rich salsa con queso dip, which spreads out into a decadent sauce. Try more of our fun restaurant-inspired pies with these Pizza Hut copycat recipes.

“In our house, we love pizza and pretzel bread! When Little Caesar’s came out with their pretzel crust pizza, we fell in love but also knew it was unrealistic to be buying it all the time. The next best thing was to make it ourselves, and it came out even better than the restaurant’s version! This thick-crusted copycat pizza is bound to blow your socks off! Hope you enjoy!” —Recipe contributor Mary Lou Timpson, Centennial Park, Arizona

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Sloppy Joe Pizza

If you have the time to spare, we recommend making your sloppy joe sauce from scratch for even more zesty flavor. Green peppers and mushrooms will add more flavor and texture.

“If your children like sloppy joes, they’re sure to like this change-of-pace pizza. The six-ingredient recipe has kid-pleasing flavor and comes together in a flash.” —Recipe contributor Brenda Rohlman, Kingman, Kansas

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Deep-Dish Pizza

When it comes to regional pizza styles, there’s nothing quite like thick, melty Chicago deep-dish. Since the dense homemade crust is the star of the show (and requires quite a bit of effort), we like using jarred tomato sauce to cut down on extra work.

“My husband and I tried to duplicate the pizza from a popular Chicago restaurant, and I think our recipe turned out even better. The secret to achieving that perfect, crispy pizza is baking it in a cast-iron skillet.” —Recipe contributor Lynn Hamilton, Naperville, Illinois

BLT Pizza Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

BLT Pizza

One of the best sandwiches becomes an even better pizza thanks to convenient prebaked pizza crust, cheese and crispy bacon. Use any of your favorite types of bacon.

“Take a prebaked crust and layer bacon, tomatoes, cheese and other savory toppings on top. This is my family’s favorite way to eat pizza.” —Recipe contributor Marilyn Ruggles, Lees Summit, Missouri

Barbecued Chicken Pizza Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Barbecued Chicken Pizza

Tangy honey-garlic barbecue sauce is a satisfyingly sweet sauce for pizza, especially when paired with leftover rotisserie chicken and lots of shredded mozzarella. This is also a wonderful family-friendly dinner to make with leftover Thanksgiving turkey!

“I often cut this easy pizza into little squares and serve it as an appetizer at parties.” —Recipe contributor Patricia Richardson, Verona, Ontario

Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Zesty Buffalo sauce adds pizazz to all sorts of comfort foods, from Buffalo chicken chili to this easy, cheesy pizza. Bottled sauce works fine, but homemade Buffalo sauce adds an extra kick.

“If your family likes spicy chicken wings, they’ll love this rendition that turns it into pizza. Serve it up with blue cheese dressing and crisp celery, just like the tasty original.” —Recipe contributor Shari DiGirolamo, Newton, Pennsylvania

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Reuben Pizza

Thousand Island dressing, Swiss cheese and corned beef from the deli are deliciously rich pizza toppings, especially when cut with the tang of sauerkraut. Serve extra Thousand Island on the side as a dipping sauce.

“Fridays are pizza nights at our house. We do a lot of experimenting, so we don’t have the same old thing every week. With only five ingredients, this pizza is a snap to whip up.” —Recipe contributor Nicole German, Hutchinson, Minnesota

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Artichoke Chicken Pesto Pizza

This crowd-pleasing pie, which comes together in just 15 minutes, pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad. Cut into smaller squares, this pizza also makes a tasty party appetizer.

“Make pizza night an upscale affair with this fun twist on the traditional pie. A prebaked crust and prepared pesto keep things quick and easy.” —Recipe contributor Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

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Meatball Pizza

Use store-bought meatballs or whip up some of your own simple homemade meatballs. Get creative with extra toppings: We always love to add chopped olives, pepperoncini and sliced bell peppers.

“I always keep meatballs and pizza crusts in the freezer to make this specialty on the spur of the moment. Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious dinner.” —Recipe contributor Mary Humeniuk-Smith, Perry Hall, Maryland

Spicy Chicken Pumpkin Pizza Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Spicy Chicken Pumpkin Pizza

Canned pumpkin is the pantry ingredient that keeps on giving. On this pizza, it adds just the right amount of earthy sweetness to the chipotle-flavored sauce. If you make this with a cauliflower pizza crust, the whole dish is gluten-free (and low-carb!).

“Think pizza and pumpkin can’t go together? Think again. The sweetness of the pumpkin paired with the spice of the chipotle peppers makes for a delicious, balanced sauce. I love that this recipe incorporates healthy ingredients in a fun, family-friendly way.” —Recipe contributor Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

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Turkey Alfredo Pizza

If you’re a white pizza lover, this is the creamy, cheesy pie of your dreams. Plus, it makes a no-fuss weeknight dinner thanks to jarred Alfredo sauce, prebaked crust and frozen spinach. Make sure to squeeze the spinach extra dry so the pizza doesn’t get soggy.

“A longtime family favorite, this thin-crust pizza is both tasty and nutritious. It’s an excellent way to use up leftover turkey, too.” —Recipe contributor Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

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Egg & Sausage Breakfast Pizza

This buttery breakfast pizza is a fun way to start the day and an impressive addition to any brunch spread. The recipe calls for hearty pork sausage, but feel free to lighten things up with chicken sausage or even plant-based meat sausage.

“I used to make this bacon breakfast pizza for my morning drivers when I worked at a delivery place. And they just loved it. Breakfast pizza is a quick and easy eye-opener that appeals to all ages.” —Recipe contributor Cathy Shortall, Easton, Maryland

Loaded Mexican Pizza Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Loaded Mexican Pizza

A pizza covered in all of our favorite nacho toppings? Don’t mind if we do. This loaded pizza makes an impressive vegetarian dinner. Or, add cooked ground beef for extra protein.

“My husband is a picky eater, but this healthy pizza has such amazing flavor that he looks forward to it. Leftovers taste even better the next day.” —Recipe contributor Mary Barker, Knoxville, Tennessee

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Smoked Gouda Spinach Pizza

If you have any leftover Gouda after making this comforting sausage and spinach pizza, work your way through these delightfully melty Gouda recipes. In a pinch, swap in any of these cheeses that melt well.

“A refrigerated pizza crust and store-bought Alfredo sauce make this pizza easy. My daughter created it as an appetizer, but we love it for a main course. Leftovers pack beautifully for a workday lunch.” —Recipe contributor Marie Hattrup, Sparks, Nevada

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Philly Cheesesteak Pizza

A classic Philly cheesesteak consists of thinly cut beef and melted cheese served on a crispy hoagie roll, and this loaded pizza version replicates the “wow” factor of the original. Make it vegetarian by replacing the beef with thinly sliced seitan marinated in soy sauce.

“Sometimes my family like their pizza crust extra crispy so I prebake the crust for 5 minutes before adding the toppings. There are never leftovers.” —Recipe contributor Laura McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois

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Game-Night Nacho Pizza

Finish this loaded nacho-inspired pizza with shredded lettuce to add textural contrast to rich refried beans, oozy Colby-Monterey Jack cheese and barbecued shredded beef. We can’t imagine a better drink pairing for this pizza than refreshing margaritas.

“Some like it hot with jalapenos; others like it cool with a dollop of sour cream. But one thing’s for sure: This is ‘nacho’ ordinary pizza night.” —Recipe contributor Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste Recipes

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza

You probably already know that pizza crust tastes delicious dipped in ranch dressing (if you don’t, where have you been?). That’s why drizzling a meaty pizza with creamy ranch makes perfect sense in this fun chicken club-inspired ‘za.

“A chicken club pizza topped with lettuce, tomatoes and dressing? You’re in for a treat! Vegetables give the cheesy crust a cool crunch.” —Recipe contributor Debbie Reid, Clearwater, Florida

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza

Easy ingredients like frozen chicken nuggets, jarred Alfredo sauce and fully cooked ham help this creative pizza come together in a flash. To contrast the dish’s richness, serve with light veggie sides like lemon pepper roasted broccoli or zesty spinach salad.

“This recipe combines my two favorite foods—pizza and chicken cordon bleu. I’ve made this for my family and the teachers at my school. Now the teachers ask me to make it for them for lunch!” —Recipe contributor Justin Rippel, Colgate, Wisconsin

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Big Kahuna Pizza

Despite mixed public opinion, we firmly believe that sweet-tart pineapple is one of the best pizza toppings, so it’s always a good idea to keep a can of it in your pantry. Lean on this recipe when you need to use up leftover barbecued pork.

“A prebaked pizza crust and refrigerated barbecued pork make this tasty supper idea super fast and super easy. It can also double as a terrific last-minute appetizer if cut it into bite-sized pieces!” —Recipe contributor Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California

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Mac and Cheese Pizza

Elbow macaroni is the classic pasta shape for mac and cheese, but shells and penne also do a great job holding the sauce. This comfort food pie features a whopping four types of cheeses, including Velveeta cheese, which melts down into creamy perfection.

“I love pizza, and I love macaroni and cheese. After lots of experimenting, I figured out a wonderful way to combine the two. The pizza is a big hit among my colleagues, friends and family!” —Recipe contributor Martha Muellenberg, Vermillion, South Dakota

Saucy Thai Chicken Pizzas Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Thai Chicken Pizza

Of all the Thai chicken recipes we love, putting it on pizza has to be one of the most fun. This restaurant-worthy Thai-inspired pie is covered in slow-cooked chicken thighs, creamy peanut sauce and a crunchy slaw (with lots of melty cheese, of course). Thinly sliced red onion makes a great topping.

“Contributor Gigi Miller, from Stoughton, Wisconsin, provided a fabulous recipe for sweet and salty chicken thighs that she serves with rice. We took it a step further, and used the chicken and sauce to make this restaurant-inspired Thai pizza.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Cheeseburger Pizza Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Cheeseburger Pizza

This beefy pizza is like an open-faced burger, but even better because you can eat it with your hands. Our Test Kitchen found the very best shredded cheddar cheeses for the perfect buttery, mildly nutty flavor, but feel free to experiment with other types of cheese that you would also enjoy on a burger, like Monterey Jack or fontina.

“My husband’s favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pizza with mayo and dill pickle juice topping. People who try it start laughing because it’s so good.” —Recipe contributor Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois

Grilled Veggie Pizza Recipe photo by Taste Recipes

Grilled Veggie Pizza

For those nights you’re craving veggies but don’t feel like salad, this robust whole-wheat pie is packed with garden-fresh produce. If you don’t have a grill wok or basket, use a disposable foil pan.

“I came up with this recipe one summer as a way to use up vegetables from our garden. Grilling the veggies first brings out their sizzling flavors. Try it with a sprinkling of olives or pine nuts before adding the cheese.” —Recipe contributor Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Cashew Chicken Pizza

Crunchy, nutty, tangy and slightly sweet, this chicken-topped pizza gets heat from the chili garlic sauce and fresh herb flavor from the chopped cilantro. If you don’t have cashews, use crushed peanuts. And if you have vegetarian guests, this pizza still tastes great without the chicken.

“I make this quick weeknight dinner recipe when I’m craving takeout pizza and Chinese food. I like using shortcuts like premade pizza crust and rotisserie chicken to cut down on my time in the kitchen.” —Recipe contributor Joseph Sciascia, San Mateo, California

Specialty Pizza FAQ

What is a specialty pizza?

A specialty pizza is really any pizza that deviates from the standard tomato-sauce-and-cheese format with unconventional or surprising toppings. Think pizzas topped with saucy Thai chicken, macaroni and cheese or even nacho fixings.

What’s the best crust for a specialty pizza?

Since the special toppings are the star, specialty pizzas work well on just about any type of crusts, from homemade doughs to packaged naan from the supermarket. Even French bread makes a great canvas for special pizza toppings.

What are some unique pizza toppings?

The general rule of thumb is this: If you like eating it, you can put it on a pizza. Sloppy joe sauce, cashew chicken, barbecue pork, black beans and Buffalo chicken are some of our favorite unique pizza toppings to spread on specialty pizzas. Melted cheese really ties everything together, so as long as you have cheese and a crust, your specialty pizza is sure to be a hit.