{"id":409998,"date":"2018-02-26T21:28:16","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T21:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/origin-www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=collection&p=409998"},"modified":"2025-02-01T18:21:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-02T00:21:12","slug":"deliciously-weird-pizzas","status":"publish","type":"listicle","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/collection\/deliciously-weird-pizzas\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Specialty Pizza Ideas for a Next-Level Pizza Night"},"content":{"rendered":"
We love combining Mexican and Italian flavors and techniques (hello, Mexican lasagna<\/a>), and taco pizza is a fun way to fuse two satisfying comfort foods. Garnish with pickled red onions<\/a> for some more tangy crunch.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"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!\" \u2014Recipe contributor Mary Lou Timpson, Centennial Park, Arizona<\/em>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you have the time to spare, we recommend making your sloppy joe sauce from scratch<\/a> for even more zesty flavor. Green peppers and mushrooms will add more flavor and texture.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Brenda Rohlman, Kingman, Kansas<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n When it comes to regional pizza styles<\/a>, 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<\/a> to cut down on extra work.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Lynn Hamilton, Naperville, Illinois<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Marilyn Ruggles, Lees Summit, Missouri<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Tangy honey-garlic barbecue sauce is a satisfyingly sweet sauce for pizza, especially when paired with leftover rotisserie chicken<\/a> and lots of shredded mozzarella. This is also a wonderful family-friendly dinner to make with leftover Thanksgiving turkey<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n \"I often cut this easy pizza into little squares and serve it as an appetizer at parties.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Patricia Richardson, Verona, Ontario <\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Zesty Buffalo sauce adds pizazz to all sorts of comfort foods, from Buffalo chicken chili<\/a> to this easy, cheesy pizza. Bottled sauce works fine, but homemade Buffalo sauce<\/a> adds an extra kick.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Shari DiGirolamo, Newton, Pennsylvania<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Thousand Island dressing, Swiss cheese and corned beef from the deli are deliciously rich pizza toppings, especially when cut with the tang of sauerkraut<\/a>. Serve extra Thousand Island on the side as a dipping sauce.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Nicole German, Hutchinson, Minnesota<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n This crowd-pleasing pie, which comes together in just 15 minutes, pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad<\/a>. Cut into smaller squares, this pizza also makes a tasty party appetizer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Use store-bought meatballs or whip up some of your own simple homemade meatballs<\/a>. Get creative with extra toppings: We always love to add chopped olives, pepperoncini and sliced bell peppers.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Mary Humeniuk-Smith, Perry Hall, Maryland<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Canned pumpkin<\/a> 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!).<\/p>\r\n\"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland<\/em>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you're a white pizza<\/a> lover, this is the creamy, cheesy pie of your dreams. Plus, it makes a no-fuss weeknight dinner<\/a> 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.<\/p>\r\n \"A longtime family favorite, this thin-crust pizza is both tasty and nutritious. It's an excellent way to use up leftover turkey, too.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n This buttery breakfast pizza<\/a> is a fun way to start the day and an impressive addition to any brunch spread. The recipe calls for hearty pork sausage<\/a>, but feel free to lighten things up with chicken sausage or even plant-based meat<\/a> sausage.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Cathy Shortall, Easton, Maryland<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n A pizza covered in all of our favorite nacho toppings<\/a>? Don't mind if we do. This loaded pizza makes an impressive vegetarian dinner<\/a>. Or, add cooked ground beef for extra protein.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Mary Barker, Knoxville, Tennessee<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n If you have any leftover Gouda after making this comforting sausage and spinach pizza, work your way through these delightfully melty Gouda recipes<\/a>. In a pinch, swap in any of these cheeses that melt well<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Marie Hattrup, Sparks, Nevada<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Laura McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n \"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.\" \u2014Recipe contributor Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/a><\/div>
Copycat Little Caesar's Pretzel Crust Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 45 minutes + rising\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Yeast, salsa con queso, shredded cheese\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Intermediate
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Sloppy Joe Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 25 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Refrigerated pizza crust, ground beef, sloppy joe sauce\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
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Deep-Dish Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 1 hour, 15 minutes + rising and resting\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>:<\/strong> Flour, yeast, mozzarella, tomato sauce\r\nLevel<\/strong>:<\/strong> Intermediate
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BLT Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 25 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Pizza crust, Miracle Whip, bacon, mozzarella\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
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Barbecued Chicken Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 20 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Prebaked pizza crust, cooked chicken, barbecue sauce, mozzarella\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 40 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Refrigerated pizza crust, Buffalo wing sauce, chicken, shredded cheese\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
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Reuben Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 25 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Premade pizza crust, corned beef, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
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Artichoke Chicken Pesto Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time<\/strong>: 15 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>: Prebaked pizza crust, pesto, chicken, artichoke hearts\r\nLevel<\/strong>: Beginner
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Meatball Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 25 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Premade pizza crust, pizza sauce, meatballs, cheese\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
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Spicy Chicken Pumpkin Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 35 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>:<\/strong> Pizza crust, canned pumpkin, cooked chicken\r\nLevel<\/strong>:<\/strong> Beginner
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Turkey Alfredo Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 25 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Prebaked pizza crust, Alfredo sauce, frozen spinach, turkey\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
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Egg & Sausage Breakfast Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 35 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>:<\/strong> Refrigerated crescent rolls, sausage, gravy mix, eggs\r\nLevel<\/strong>:<\/strong> Intermediate
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Loaded Mexican Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 30 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Black beans, prebaked pizza crust, spinach, cheese\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner
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Smoked Gouda Spinach Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 30 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>:<\/strong> Refrigerated pizza crust, smoked Gouda, sausage\r\nLevel<\/strong>:<\/strong> Beginner
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Philly Cheesesteak Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 40 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients<\/strong>:<\/strong> Premade pizza crust, provolone, roast beef\r\nLevel<\/strong>:<\/strong> Intermediate
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Game-Night Nacho Pizza<\/a><\/h2>Total Time:<\/strong> 20 minutes\r\nMain Ingredients:<\/strong> Prebaked pizza crust, barbecued shredded beef, shredded cheese\r\nLevel:<\/strong> Beginner