Party Pizzas

Are there two more celebratory words than party and pizza? Put them together and you have party pizzas: a bite-sized snack with big flavors! Featuring hearty beef, savory Italian sausage and creamy melted Velveeta on crispy rye bread, these tiny pizzas are easy to put together. You can also prep them ahead of time, which is an excellent thing for any busy host.

Dashes of Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, garlic salt and oregano give this party pizza recipe some zip. Whether you’re throwing a holiday bash or just having friends over for a casual get-together, these mini party pizzas on rye bread will disappear as fast as you can bake them. The best part? You can customize each rye bread pizza however you like—spicy, mild, extra cheesy—it’s all up to you.

Party Pizza Ingredients

• Ground beef: Ground beef provides the perfect base for all the cheesy goodness in these party pizzas. Use a leaner mix; the sausage and cheese add any fattiness you want in a party pizza.
• Italian sausage: With spices like fennel and garlic, Italian sausage brings a lot of flavor to the party. Use bulk sausage, or remove the casings if you must use sausage links.
• Velveeta: Velveeta is the secret to that creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It blends into the beef and sausage like a dream, making the filling rich and cheesy. Plus, it’s easy to work with and melts perfectly every time. Any Velveeta recipe has me at hello.
• Worcestershire sauce: Not quite sweet, not quite sour, a little Worcestershire sauce adds a lot of umami to these party pizzas on rye bread. The sauce has a deep, savory flavor with just a hint of sweetness, which complements the richness of the meat and cheese. This ingredient ties everything together.
• Ketchup: Every rye bread pizza requires a hint of tomato. Ketchup gives the filling a slight sweetness that plays off the savory elements. Its familiar taste also adds an unexpected tangy bite that lightens the richness.
• Seasonings: You’ll need some pantry staples here, including garlic salt, dried oregano, salt and pepper.
• Snack rye bread: Also known as cocktail rye bread, these little slices are the perfect vehicle for all that cheesy, meaty goodness. The tangy, slightly nutty flavor pairs well with all the toppings, and its firm texture holds up well for this party pizza recipe.
• Green onions: Green onions add a fresh, crunchy element that contrasts the richness of the filling. Their mild but zesty flavor brightens the pizzas and gives them some color.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the meat

Brown the ground beef and sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain off any excess moisture and fat.

Step 2: Mix in the cheese and seasoning

Add the cubed Velveeta, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, garlic salt, dried oregano, salt and pepper to the skillet. Stir until the cheese completely melts and the mixture is smooth.

Step 3: Build your pizzas

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the hot meat mixture onto each slice of snack rye bread. Arrange the topped bread slices on ungreased baking sheets.

Editor’s Tip: You can do this assembly-line-style by putting the slices of rye bread on an ungreased baking sheet first and then topping the slices with the meat and Velveeta sauce.

Step 4: Bake and enjoy

Bake until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes. If desired, top with green onions.

Dan Roberts for Taste Recipes

Party Pizza Variations

• Spice it up: To make this a spicy appetizer, swap in hot Italian sausage for the regular. You can also sprinkle red pepper flakes or finely chopped jalapenos on top for an extra kick.
• Build your own: Putting less cheese and meat on the rye bread pizza leaves room for extra toppings! Make a mini topping station so everyone can choose their own. Parmesan cheese, sliced black olives, teeny mushroom bits, chopped bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and small pepperoni slices are just a few options you can display.

How to Store Party Pizzas

Party pizzas tend to disappear quickly, but if you have leftovers, seal them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge or freezer.

How long do party pizzas last?

You should eat leftover refrigerated party pizzas on rye bread within three days of baking. Stored in the freezer, baked or not, party pizzas last up to three months.

Can you freeze party pizzas?

You absolutely can make these party pizzas ahead of time and store them in the freezer until the big bash. To store unbaked party pizzas in the freezer, make the recipe through Step 3, then freeze the pizzas in a single layer on the baking sheet until solid. Stack and store the party pizzas in a freezer-safe airtight container or zip-top bag for up to three months. You can also store leftover baked party pizzas the same way.

When ready to serve or reheat, remove the rye bread pizza from the freezer, place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in a 350° oven until thoroughly heated, 15 to 20 minutes.

Party Pizza Tips

Dan Roberts for Taste Recipes

How else can you cook rye bread pizza?

This party pizza recipe needs only a few minutes of heating, so a toaster oven or an air fryer could work. If you are fancy, this is the perfect time to crank up your Balmuda steam toaster.

What can you serve with party pizzas?

Party pizzas on rye bread are terrific for any occasion. Serve them with other party appetizers like turkey tea sandwiches, mini BLTs and cucumber canapes. Finish things off with a variety of mini desserts. Too cute!