Pizza has been a favorite dish since the late 18th century. It started out with simple ingredients, such as tomato sauce, cheese, and basil for the classic Margherita pizza.
As the years go by, people get creative and explore different ingredients and cooking methods to create innovative types of pizza flavor and style.
From adding varieties of meat and non-meat toppings to developing unique flavorful sauce bases, pizza can be customized in countless ways.
Although the crust is the foundation of a pizza, the toppings are responsible for creating its distinct flavor and appeal. What toppings are generally used in a pizza?
The first toppings added to the crust are cheese and the sauce base. Then, you can choose from various types of meat such as pepperoni and steak or add tasty fruits and veggies like spinach and bell peppers.
If you are thinking of making your own pizza combination, this article covers all the toppings you can use to create your own perfect pizza.
From classic toppings to more adventurous ones, you can discover a topping to try and make a combination that will surely make your taste buds sing.
In summary, the article covers the following:
- 5 Common Sauce Bases
- 5 Popular Cheese Toppings
- 10 Meat Toppings
- 15 Non-Meat Toppings
- A List Of Toppings Offered At The Largest Pizza Chains
Contents
- 1 Sauce Base
- 2 Cheese Toppings
- 3 Meat Toppings
- 4 Non-Meat Toppings
- 4.1 1. Basil
- 4.2 2. Green and Red Bell Peppers
- 4.3 3. Black Olives
- 4.4 4. Red onions or Caramelized Onions
- 4.5 5. Artichokes
- 4.6 6. Spinach
- 4.7 7. Tomato or Sun Dried Tomato
- 4.8 8. Pineapple
- 4.9 9. Roasted Garlic
- 4.10 10. Jalapeños
- 4.11 11. Cashew Cream
- 4.12 12. Broccoli
- 4.13 13. Zucchini
- 4.14 14. Kale
- 4.15 15. Mushrooms
- 5 A List Of Toppings Offered At The Largest Pizza Chains
- 6 Which Toppings Are Your Favorite On A Pizza?
Sauce Base
1. Classic Tomato Sauce
Photo: Tomato Sauce
Red sauce or tomato sauce base is the most common sauce that can go with any toppings.
It adds a sweet and slightly acidic flavor to a pizza which easily complements the creamy cheese toppings.
You can complete the pizza with various meats, veggies, herbs, and spices.
All pizza places offer this type of sauce, including Domino’s Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce or Hearty Marinara Sauce and Papa John’s Original sauce.
2. White Alfredo Sauce
If you prefer the white sauce to red, go for an Alfredo Sauce base instead.
It is a creamy and rich white sauce that pairs well with chicken, mushroom, and spinach. It is a heavier type of sauce with more calories per slice.
Order this sauce base with Jet’s Pizza’s Alfredo Chicken pizza with Alfredo Sauce, premium mozzarella, feta, grilled chicken, & red onions.
You can also have Alfredo Sauce with Domino’s Spinach & Feta Pizza made with Alfredo Sauce, spinach, onions, feta, Parmesan-Asiago, provolone, and mozzarella.
3. Basil Pesto Sauce
Another alternative to tomato sauce is Basil Pesto Sauce, typically made from olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese, fresh basil, pine nuts, and lemon juice.
It is a good match with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and cheese toppings.
Taste the herbaceous flavor of this sauce with Godfather’s Pesto Sauce for an additional cost of $3.50 for light and regular portions and $7.00 for extra.
4. BBQ Sauce
Get the sweet and tangy flavors you want with a BBQ Sauce base. This sauce is best combined with savory and smoky meat toppings like chicken, steak, and bacon.
Adding pineapple tidbits, cheese, jalapeños, onions, and pickles also makes a good combination. Try a BBQ Sauce pizza with Papa John’s and Pizza Hut.
5. Buffalo Sauce
Spicy lovers will surely enjoy Buffalo Sauce with its signature spicy flavor and a kick of sourness.
It works well together with chicken, blue cheese, cream cheese, tomato slices, and jalapeños.
Try this sauce with Pizza Hut, starting at $9.99 for a medium pizza and $11.99 for a large pizza with regular sauce and cheese.
Cheese Toppings
1. Mozzarella Cheese
The most popular cheese used as toppings and base is mozzarella cheese.
You get a stringy and gooey texture when pulling the pizza apart. It adds a milky, creamy, and a bit of tang to every slice.
Cheese toppings are usually customizable. For instance, you can choose light, normal, or extra portions of cheese at Domino’s and decide on the placement, whether you put the cheese on the left-half side, right-half side, or both sides.
You can also choose to have dairy-free and vegan-friendly mozzarella cheese such as MOD Pizza’s Daiya cheese and &Pizza’s Vegan mozzarella.
2. Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese is a common topping that acts as a finishing touch. The flavor can be described as something nutty, fruity, umami, and rich. Moreover, it adds a bit of gritty and crumbly texture to the pizza.
It is often combined with other types of cheese, including provolone and mozzarella.
For instance, Blaze Pizza has Red Vine pizza with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, parmesan, basil, red sauce, and olive oil drizzle.
Another example is ZaZa Wood Fired Pizza’s Parmegiana pizza with homemade sauce, fresh mozzarella, grilled eggplant, and shaved parmesan.
3. Feta Cheese
Feta cheese has a crumbly and slightly creamy texture. It adds a salty flavor and a touch of tang and acidic taste.
Combine this cheese with olives, onions, oregano, and spinach.
Have a low-calorie Specialty Pizza at Domino’s with Pacific Veggie Pizza made with feta, provolone, and mozzarella blend.
You can also try Marco’s Pizza’s Garden Pizza topped with mushrooms, black olives, onions, sliced tomatoes, signature sauce, three-cheese blend, and feta for $15.99.
4. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese has a mild nutty flavor with a bit of sweetness. It is a creamy, grainy, and thick cheese often used with other types of cheese such as mozzarella or parmesan.
This type of cheese is typically used with white sauce and veggie toppings like spinach and mushrooms.
It is a popular ingredient for Calzone Style pizzas. Try this topping with Blaze Pizza’s Art Lover pizza made with artichokes, mozzarella, ricotta, chopped garlic, and red sauce dollops for $15.45.
Go for ZaZa Wood Fired Pizza’s Ricotta Spinachi pizza with fresh mozzarella, ricotta, spinach, and garlic for $14.75.
5. Provolone Cheese
The flavor of provolone cheese depends on the type and age. Some provolone cheeses have a mild and sharp taste, while some can have sweet buttery flavors. It has a smooth semi-hard consistency with a slightly grainy texture.
Try provolone cheese with a gluten-free pizza from Domino’s, such as Philly Cheese Steak Pizza, Honolulu Hawaiian Pizza, and Cali Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza.
You can also opt for Papa John’s Tuscan Six Cheese Pizza made with six kinds of cheese: mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, provolone, and fontina.
Meat Toppings
1. Pepperoni
You can never go wrong with a classic pepperoni pizza. Pepperoni is a type of cured sausage loved for its salty, spicy, and bold flavors. It is a thin and chewy circular meat that is best paired with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.
It is safe to say that all pizzerias offer this topping. For instance, Casey’s Pizza offers pepperoni for small, medium, and large pizzas with an additional cost of $1.60 for extra servings.
Stock your freezer with Costco’s frozen pepperoni pizza or try one with Pizza Hut’s Pepperoni Pizza.
2. Sausage
An alternative to pepperoni is sausage, such as Italian sausage.
It adds a rich, savory flavor with a sweet and spicy touch. It is usually combined with onions, peppers, and mushrooms.
An example of this topping is Domino’s Italian sausage, available in light, normal, and extra portions with an additional cost:
- Small – Add $1.25
- Medium – Add $1.50
- Large – Add $2.00
- X-Large – Add $2.50
You can discover the combinations paired with this topping with California Pizza Kitchen’s The Works, Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage, and Sicilian.
For a vegan-friendly version, go for vegan sausages such as &Pizza’s vegan sausage, PizzaRev’s BEYOND MEAT Italian sausage, and Pieology’s Spicy Italian “Sausage” Rounds (Vegan).
3. Beef
Meat lovers can enjoy the meaty flavors of beef on pizza. It pairs well with other meat toppings, such as pepperoni and chicken. Beef can be in the form of minced or meatballs.
An example of beef used on pizza is Domino’s ExtravaganZZa and MeatZZa Pizza. Both of them are the best pizzas from Domino’s.
ExtravaganZZa has pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, beef, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and mozzarella, whereas MeatZZa Pizza comes with pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, beef, and mozzarella.
Popular vegan pizza chains offer vegan alternatives to beef as well.
You can enjoy the same beefy flavors with Pieology’s Vegan “Beef” Meatballs (Vegan) or have Califlower Pizza’s Vegan – The Impossible Pizza topped with vegan mozzarella cheese, made-from-scratch tomato sauce, Impossible “beef”, peppers, and onions for $30.75.
4. Steak
Steak is another option for beef meat. It usually comes in thinly sliced strips that add a unique flavor to the pizza.
You can pair it with onions, mushrooms, and blue cheese.
Order a pizza loaded with steak with Domino’s Philly Cheese Steak Pizza.
You can also create your own and add Domino’s Philly Steak toppings for an additional $1.25 for small, $1.50 for medium, $2.00 for large, and $2.50 for x-large.
Try steak-filled pizzas from other pizzerias like California Pizza Kitchen’s Carne Asada Pizza for $23.29 and Marco’s The Philly Pizza for $15.99.
5. Ham
For a milder taste than pepperoni or sausage, go for salty and savory ham instead.
It has a slightly sweet taste and notes of smokiness. It is a common topping for Hawaiian pizzas with pineapple chunks.
Try a pizza with ham toppings with Domino’s Honolulu Hawaiian Pizza starting at $12.99 for a small Hand Tossed pizza.
Build your own pizza at Jet’s Pizza and add $1.49 for ham toppings for a small pizza.
Another option is Pizza Hut’s ham in regular and extra portions for an additional $1.50 and $3.00, respectively.
6. Prawns or Shrimp
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Prawns or shrimp add a fishy taste to a pizza with a touch of sweetness and saltiness.
It combines well with spinach, feta cheese, and onions for a well-balanced overall flavor and texture.
Some pizzas with prawns also have red peppers, artichokes, and pesto sauce.
Try a pizza with shrimp with a cauliflower crust base with ZaZa Wood Fired Pizza’s Shrimpy.
This type of pizza is made with homemade sauce, mozzarella, shrimp, fries, and Shrimp ZaZa sauce.
It costs only $17.50 when ordered with a cauliflower crust base.
7. Bacon
Bacon adds smokey and salty flavors to a pizza. You can add pineapple, onions, olives, mushrooms, and pepperoni to go with the bacon flavors. Its texture can be soft and chewy or crispy and thick.
Most pizza chains offer bacon toppings, including Papa John’s Canadian bacon and regular bacon, Pizza Hut’s bacon in regular and extra portions, and Godfather’s bacon bits.
8. Chicken
Photo: chicken pizza
Chicken is one of the most versatile toppings that can be either roasted or grilled.
For instance, you can get grilled chicken from both Pizza Hut and Papa John’s.
Chicken toppings are also served at Casey’s Pizza at no extra cost for light and regular portions.
It is typically paired with a white sauce base and green vegetables like spinach. You can also combine it with BBQ Sauce for sweet and tangy pizza.
An example of this combination is Casey’s Pizza’s BBQ Chicken Pizza made with BBQ Sauce, mozzarella cheese, bacon, chicken, and onions, starting at $13.99 for a small original crust pizza.
9. Pulled Pork or Minced Pork
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Aside from pork sausage and bacon, another pork alternative is pulled pork.
It is a shredded barbecued pork typically cooked in a slow cooker or smoked over wood. With its barbecue marinade, it has a balance of sweet and bold flavors.
If there is no pulled pork, most pizza chains do offer seasoned minced pork instead.
Pair this topping with red onions and jalapeños or classic pineapple to balance out the saltiness.
Add pork to your pizza from among the topping options of Pizza Hut in regular and extra portions.
10. More Seafood Options
If you are on a pescetarian diet or love anything fishy, you can easily make a pizza that suits your needs with seafood toppings.
Aside from the popular prawn or shrimp topping, other seafood toppings that can be added are crab legs, smoked salmon, clam, and calamari rings.
With seafood toppings, you can make your pizza lighter with lower calories.
The most common seafood topping offered at pizza chains is anchovy.
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Anchovies are small forage fish that are salty and add an umami taste. Some of the pizza chains with anchovy toppings are Papa John’s, Jet’s Pizza, and Marco’s Pizza.
Non-Meat Toppings
1. Basil
Basil has a sweet and pungent flavor used for sauce bases and toppings.
It has a strong aroma and flavor that boosts the overall flavor of the pizza.
You can commonly find basil on Neapolitan Pizzas like Margherita pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
2. Green and Red Bell Peppers
Aside from adding color and texture, green and red bell peppers give pizzas a sweet and slightly tangy taste.
It is a common topping used for Supreme Pizzas, such as Pizza Hut’s Supreme Pizza made with mushrooms, green bell peppers, onions, pepperoni, seasoned pork, and beef.
You can also find it in other pizza flavors such as Pizza Hut’s Veggie Lover’s® Pizza and Super Supreme Pizza.
3. Black Olives
Olives enhance a pizza with their salty and briny flavors. Some pizza chains offer black olives, green olives, and kalamata olives. Moreover, it is a common topping for Supreme Pizzas as well.
4. Red onions or Caramelized Onions
Photo: Onions pizza
Onions create soft textures and add a sweet and slightly tangy flavor to the pizza.
Some pizza chains have red onions or caramelized onions. Red onions pair well with bell peppers, feta cheese, and meat toppings.
5. Artichokes
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You can have more nutty and earthy flavors with artichokes. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Artichokes go well with cream cheese, creamy sauces, spinach, onion, and several herbs and spices.
6. Spinach
Photo: spinach pizza
Make your pizza healthier and fresh with loads of spinach toppings.
Spinach goes nicely with white or red sauce, chicken, and mushrooms.
Try a combination of spinach and white sauce with Domino’s Pacific Veggie Pizza, or go vegan by creating your own spinach-filled pizzas at &Pizza, MOD Pizza, and Blaze Pizza.
7. Tomato or Sun Dried Tomato
Photo: tomato and black olives pizza
Tomatoes are a typical pizza topping, bringing slightly acidic flavors to the pizza.
It can also be sweet and sour and pairs well with all pizza toppings.
Whether you are having a Boardwalk Style Pizza or Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, there will always be tomatoes in it.
8. Pineapple
Photo: pineapple and ham pizza
Pineapple on pizza has been a never ending controversial topic that has sparked debate on whether pineapples should be a pizza topping or not.
You can’t ignore the fact that it adds sweet and tart flavors for a vibrant tropical fruit taste to your pizza. If you are not into those flavors, then pineapple pizza may not be for you.
9. Roasted Garlic
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Roasted garlic adds a subtle flavorful twist to a pizza with its mellow and nutty flavor.
It is best combined with mushrooms, caramelized onion, and cheese.
Aside from roasted garlic, you can still put raw garlic on pizza and allow it to cook while baking.
10. Jalapeños
Photo: jalapeños pizza
Make it hot and spicy with jalapeños, a medium-sized chili pepper with a slightly briny flavor like olives.
It is a common topping offered at pizza chains such as Domino’s, Papa John’s, and Pizza Hut.
You can pair it with a creamy sauce to counter the heat and a variety of toppings like sausage, onions, and cheese.
11. Cashew Cream
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Cashew cream or roasted cashews are not a common topping offered at pizza chains.
It adds a smooth buttery flavor and creates a unique taste. You can order a lemony cashew cream from 20th Street Pizza, one of the best pizzerias in Philadelphia.
12. Broccoli
Photo: broccoli pizza
Add more veggies and nutritional value to your pizza with broccoli toppings.
It has a satisfying crunch with a hint of sweetness to every bite.
This is a common topping at vegan-friendly pizza chains such as Blaze Pizza, Rosa’s Pizza, and Brixx Wood Fired Pizza.
13. Zucchini
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Zucchini adds a healthy twist to a pizza that can be either grilled or roasted. It has a slightly sweet and bitter flavor.
Try zucchini with other toppings with ZPizza’s California Roasted Veggie or Classic Berkeley Vegan, or add zucchini toppings with Papa Murphy’s pizza.
14. Kale
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Kale is a superfood that is not typically offered in pizza chains.
It is best paired with caramelized onions, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, and garlic. Basil pesto or classic tomato sauce can make an excellent combination with kale.
15. Mushrooms
Photo: mushrooms and tomatoes pizza
Mushrooms are among the most common toppings for earthy, meaty, and umami flavors.
It can go with any topping, such as red onions, chicken, cheese, peppers, and olives. Pizza chains typically use cremini, portobello, and shiitake mushrooms.
A List Of Toppings Offered At The Largest Pizza Chains
Not all pizza chains have the same topping options on the menu. Some may offer the classic toppings, while some may offer an exciting variety.
If you are wondering which toppings are offered by the largest pizza chains in the U.S., refer to the table of toppings below.
The table lists the sauce, cheese, and meat and non-meat toppings served at the 10 largest pizza chains.
Table of Toppings Offered At The Largest Pizza Chains
| Pizza Chain | Sauce | Cheese | Meat Toppings | Non-Meat Toppings |
| Domino’s |
|
Mozzarella Cheese |
|
|
| Little Caesars | Original Sauce | Extra Cheese |
|
|
| Papa John’s |
|
|
|
|
| Papa Murphy’s |
|
|
|
|
| Marco’s Pizza |
|
|
|
|
| Godfather’s Pizza |
|
|
|
|
| Hungry Howie’s Pizza | Original Pizza Sauce |
|
|
|
| MOD Pizza |
|
|
|
|
| Chuck E. Cheese | Original Sauce | Extra Cheese |
|
|
Which Toppings Are Your Favorite On A Pizza?
Mix and match these toppings to create your perfect pizza combo.
Go for bold meaty flavors with pepperoni and bacon, or have a healthy lighter meal with veggie toppings like black olives, spinach, and broccoli.
Complete your pizza with classic tomato sauce or something rich and creamy with white sauce.
Which toppings do you prefer on a pizza?
Let us know your favorite toppings and why they are delicious by commenting below.
For more nice-to-know pizza guides, follow Slice Pizzeria on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
If you want to create your own pizza topping combo but don’t know where to start, I suggest reading the guide “The Best Pizza Topping Combos That Are Sure to Impress”.
This guide shares all kinds of topping combinations, from classic pairings to surprisingly good ones.
