When it comes to making homemade pizza, it’s so easy to use up whatever ingredients you have on hand. Have a ton of leftover veggies? Garden salad pizza to the rescue! Made BBQ chicken or pork over the weekend? Throw it on top! In need of a genius brunch recipe and tired of the same old fare? Breakfast pizzas are sure to please. Plus making it from scratch is a great way to control fat and calories—and save money at the same time. Ordering big pies week after week gets costly after all and making pizza dough at home is as cheap as it is effortless. Even if you’re not exactly sure how to make pizza dough (or are too lazy to attempt it), there are plenty of pizza crust hacks included here. Pillsbury crust, pita, garlic bread, naan flatbread and store-bought cauliflower crusts all make an appearance in this list of easy pizza recipes for fuss-free dough alternatives. And no matter which diet or healthy eating lifestyle you’re abiding by, there are plenty of vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian and keto-friendly pizza recipes included here to try as well.
Best Pizza Recipes
Detroit-Style Classic Red Stripe Pan Pizza
This recipe, adapted from bread expert Peter Reinhart’s new cookbook, Perfect Pan Pizza, takes time, but it’s simple and yields deliciously addictive homemade pizza. Get the recipe
Pear and Goat Cheese Flatbread Pizza
This flatbread-style pizza with pear and goat cheese is delicious! It’s quite easy to make, especially if you buy pre-made dough. And, you can get as creative and fancy as you want with the toppings. Get the recipe
Chile-Infused Hot Honey Drizzle
Pepperoni is our most beloved pizza top topping, with 64 percent of us naming it our favorite, according to a survey conducted by the research firm YouGovAmerica. Adding a drizzle of chile-infused honey makes for a deliciously spicy-sweet-savory pie. To keep your pizza wheel or knife from becoming a sticky mess, slice the pie before drizzling it with honey. Get the recipe
Bacon Ranch Flatbread Pizza
This recipe from NBC’s The Biggest Loser chef Devin Alexander uses lavash, a Middle Eastern flatbread that contains fewer carbs than traditional crust. Find it near hummus and pita in the deli section of the grocery store, and look for varieties with no more than 100 calories and about 100mg sodium per serving. ©2018 by the American Diabetes Association. Get the recipe
Northeastern-Style White Sicilian
Southern New England, New York, and New Jersey host some of the country’s most beloved pizzerias, known for pies with a Neapolitan flavor: thin crust with a puffy collar and oven-charred zest. This white pie recipe is another typical pizza found in the Northeast. Get the recipe
Keto Portobello Mushroom Pizza
A keto diet requires some creativity when trying to re-create classic comfort foods. Portobello mushrooms are a perfect replacement for dishes in which bread is used, like this pizza. Top with low-carb veggies, full-fat ricotta, and grated Parmesan cheese. Recipe fromThe Essential Vegetarian Keto Cookbook © 2018 by Penguin Random House LLC. Published by Rodale Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Get the recipe
Barbecued Chicken Pizza
This cheesy barbecued chicken pizza makes for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Get the recipe
Chicken Fajita Pizza
It’s time to bring together two of your favorite foods: fajitas and pizza. This chicken fajita pizza recipe is the perfect dinner treat for kids and adults alike who are tired of the same-old, same-old. Get the recipe
Gjelina Restuarant’s Famous Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza
According to YouGovAmerica research, 54 percent of Americans love mushrooms on their pizza (making it the No. 2 topping behind pepperoni). This gourmet-style mushroom and goat cheese pizza is inspired by a popular pie served at Gjelina, a restaurant in Venice, California. Tip: Since the mushrooms aren’t cooked first, be sure to slice them ¼ inch or thinner. Skip pre-sliced mushrooms, which may be too thick and leave you with a soggy pizza. Recipe by Alison Ashton, adapted from Gjelina: Cooking From Venice, California by Travis Lett (Chronicle Books) Get the recipe
Kale Me Maybe’s Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza
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Delicioso Enchilada Pizza
Savor a fiesta of flavors before seeing Pixar’s newest film, Coco (in theaters November 22), which features family, mystery and musical ambition in a small Mexican village. Get the recipe
Mini Mummy Pizzas
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Pesto Caprese Matzo Pizza
Sheets of matzo make the perfect canvas for these individual thin-crust pizzas from Matzo: 35 Recipes for Passover and All Year Long by Michele Streit Heilbrun (Clarkson Potter). “Matzo adds crunch that regular dough just can’t beat,” says Heilbrun. Get Heilbrun’s recipe for White Matzo Pizza with Potatoes and Smoked Gruyere » (Reprinted from Matzo: 35 Recipes for Passover and All Year Long. Copyright © 2017 by Michele Heilbrun. Photographs copyright © 2016 by Jennifer May. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.) Get the recipe
Chicken and Artichoke Pizza
Always a crowd pleaser, this pizza packs protein and plenty of cheesy goodness. Get the recipe
Grilled Cheeseburger Pizza
If summertime burger burnout has already set in, this grilled cheeseburger pizza from Shannah Coe, mom of two and blogger at mysuburbankitchen.com, is the perfect upgrade. With only seven ingredients that combine kid-favorite pizza and burger flavors, it’s a family-pleasing pick. Get the recipe
Pizza Flag
This star-spangled pizza is equal parts fun and delicious, plus it’s super simple to make. If you’re short on time, feel free to use your favorite low-fat string cheese in place of the mozzarella cheese slices. Click here to see more kid-friendly veggie creations. Get the recipe
Frank Pepe Pizzeria’s Garlicky White Clam ‘Apizza’
This is a home-style version of the classic thin-crust “apizza” created at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, Connecticut. They use fresh hard-shell littleneck clams, which you can ask your fishmonger to shuck for you, or substitute a soft-shell variety, such as Manila, which are easy to shuck at home. Get the recipe
Two-Cheese Pesto Pizza
This quick and easy 15-minute pizza uses a type of flat bread known as naan, available in most supermarkets. Get the recipe
Veggie Pizza
This quick-baked tortilla pizza is topped with two cheeses, asparagus and arugula. Get the recipe
Fennel and Chard Creamy Chicken Pizza
If chronic heartburn and indigestion have made you give up pizza, this version can bring it back on the menu. Simple ingredient swaps add up to a pie that’s loaded with flavor—without the fire: Lean chicken breast adds a hearty touch without the reflux-inducing fattiness of sausage or pepperoni. Veggies like fennel and chard help douse acid reflux. They’re also high in fiber for healthy digestion. Cauliflower Alfredo sauce delivers welcome creaminess—and dodges the acidity of tomato sauce. Bold-flavored cheese, like smoked Gouda, allows you to use less with more impact. Tip: If your fennel comes with the lacy fronds attached, save them to use as a garnish when the pizza comes out of the oven. Get the recipe
Waffle Pepperoni Pizzas Are Like Bagel Bites—But Better
Ask any ’90s kid and they’ll tell you that pizza Bagel Bites were one of the best snacks of the ’90s. The commercial’s catchy jingle convinced us that it was OK to eat “pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening, pizza at suppertime.” Recreate the magic combination of a breakfast carb with pizza sauce, cheese and your favorite toppings, but take a cue from Eleven from Stranger Things and instead try it with an Eggo waffle. Kids will love making their own personal-size pizzas for a fun after-school or sleepover snack, too. Set out your favorite toppings or try our suggestions. Tasty Combos: Sliced black olives + diced green peppers Chopped ham + diced pineapple Sausage crumbles + sliced mushrooms Chopped bacon + sliced red onion Get the recipe
Plant-Based Pizza With Pumpkin, Sausage and Kale
In our book, pizza definitely counts as a pie, and this one welcomes vegetarian and vegan guests to the table with all the hearty flavors of fall. Use any type of plant-based sausage you like, either ground (such as Impossible Sausage) or links (such as Beyond Sausage or Field Roast). Get the recipe
California-Style Smoked Salmon Caviar Pizza
No single feature defines California-style pizza aside from the willingness to break the rules and try something new. This is a gloss on the recipe that made California Pizza Kitchen famous. Get the recipe
Taco Salad Pizza
This beefy dinner is loaded with Tex-Mex flavor. If you want a punch of heat, add ¼ tsp crushed red pepper to this taco salad pizza! Get the recipe
Barbecued Chicken Pizza with Tomato Salsa
This is a perfect way to use up the last bit of those leftovers from the night before, so if you have grilled or barbecued chicken, turkey, or other meats, use them instead. Get the recipe
Super Bowl 100-Calorie Pizza
Who said Super Bowl party fun had to involve mega calories? This flatbread pizza from The Perfect Portion Cookbook and the founders of ThePerfectPortion.com, offers a 100-calorie option that will make you feel like a winner. Add it to your party table and you just might kick a few of those big calorie competitors to the curb. Get the recipe
Thai Shrimp Flatbread Pizza
This recipe from Chef Devin Alexander uses lavash, a Middle Eastern flatbread that contains fewer carbs than traditional crust. Find it near hummus and pita in the deli section of the grocery store. Get the recipe
Southwestern-Style Grilled Pizza with Chicken
Topped with enchilada sauce, green chiles, southwestern cheeses and fresh vegetables, this pizza will be a home run in your house. Whether cooked on the grill to achieve that incredible charred flavor or baked in the oven, your family is going to love this pizza. Get the recipe
Southwestern Pizza
Chorizo provides a spicy kick to this Southwestern-style pizza. Get the recipe
Grilled Mini Pesto Pizzas with Bell Peppers and Tomatoes
These kid-sized pesto pizzas are cooked to crispy perfection on the grill. Get the recipe
Pizza Margherita
Baking pizza at home is ridiculously easy when you use ready-made dough or a ready-to-dress crust, but it’s much more satisfying to do it all from scratch. Get the recipe
Greek Salad Pizza
Drizzle this pizza with a store-bought dressing, or make your own tangy yogurt sauce (called tzatziki) by blitzing in a blender ½ seeded cucumber, 1 clove garlic, 2 tsp lemon juice, salt and 1 cup plain Greek yogurt. Get the recipe
Cobb Salad Pizza
This super fast supper delivers standard Cobb flavors—chicken, hard-boiled egg and bacon—on a crunchy crust. Get the recipe
Bacon Ranch White Pizza
We all have a serious love affair with pizza, ranch dressing, and bacon…why not have all three at once? White pizza is a pizza without red sauce; the white sauce can be anything, from alfredo sauce to olive oil. For this pizza, bottled ranch dressing serves as the delicious base. The flavor of the ranch combined with the caramelized onions and bacon will make your mouth very, very happy! Get the recipe
Justice League Superfood Pizza
Fuel your favorite pint-size superhero with this veggie-packed pie. The nutrient-rich toppings will make him or her ready to join the Justice League team made up of Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman and The Flash. Get the recipe
Pesto Pizza
You only need four ingredients and 20 minutes to whip together this pesto pizza. Get the recipe
Peach Pizza
When peaches are plentiful and juicy, do a riff on the basic salad pizza for more, shall we say, sophisticated diners in the family. This lightened-up summery pie is delicious and easy to make if you pick up a pre-made crust, like a boboli. Get the recipe
Todd English’s Kielbasa, Sauerkraut, Potato and Mustard Aioli Pizza
You’re putting what on a pizza? I know, I know, but you’ll just have to trust me on this one. Somehow kielbasa, sauerkraut, and potato just work together. Don’t be surprised if you and your family end up agreeing with me. Get the recipe
Green Pea Pesto Pizza
This pizza conveniently cooks well on a cookie sheet, no pizza stone needed. Get the recipe
New Orleans–Style Pizza
The whole family will appreciate the flavors of the South with this quick, NOLA-inspired pizza. Get the recipe
Puff Pastry Tomato-Basil Pizza
This tomato-basil pizza is made with puff pastry, rather than the usual dough, for a lighter, crispier crust. Get the recipe
Grilled Barbecued Chicken Pizza
This rustic pizza, adapted from grilling guru Elizabeth Karmel, is a great way to make a pizzeria-quality pie during the dog days of summer. Use your favorite style of homemade or bottled barbecue sauce. Have all your toppings ready at the grill. Get the recipe
Mighty Aphrodite Pizza with Grilled Chicken
Mighty Aphrodite Pizza with Grilled Chicken is one delish pizza you can easily whip up on the grill, as a summertime main course or side dish. Topped with Sonoma Heirloom Tomato Pizza Sauce, chopped chicken breast, kalamata olives and feta, it’s basically a Greek salad, but in pizza form. Get the recipe
California-Style Barbecue Chicken Pizza
No single feature defines California-style pizza aside from the willingness to break the rules and try something new. This is a gloss on the recipe that made California Pizza Kitchen famous. Get the recipe
Taco-Inspired Mexican Pizza
Mix it up next pizza night with a taco-inspired pie. This Mexican pizza uses refrigerated crescent rolls as the base, so you can save time without having to make fresh pizza dough, and swaps tomato sauce for cream cheese and sour cream. Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews Get the recipe
Roast Sweet Pepper Pizza
This pizza has a mild spicy cornmeal crust that most kids will love. It’s topped with homemade roast peppers, with a smoky and candy-sweet taste sans the spice. The peppers are layered over a herbal ricotta cheese and baby spinach leaves. Balancing the sweetness of the pizza, salty kalamata olives gently top the roast peppers, with a handful of shredded parmesan cheese (try it with asiago, too). Get the recipe
Michael Schwartz’s Peach and Gorgonzola Pizza
This simple pizza, adapted from Genuine Pizza by Miami-based, James Beard Award–winning chef Michael Schwartz, is a delicious way to showcase summer peaches. Get the recipe
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Whip together a quick 15-minute meal with precooked chicken and a pre-baked pizza crust. Get the recipe
Thin Crust Mini Pepperoni Pizzas
Everything about the super bowl—the audience (106 million viewers), the TV advertising dollars (more than $170 million), and of course the linemen (377 NFL players topped 300 pounds this season)—is huge, but your party dishes don’t have to be. These bite-size nibbles are big on taste. Get the recipe
The Great Greek Pizza
This personal pizza is a breeze to prepare. Savory spinach, feta cheese, and tomatoes sit atop a pita. Get the recipe
Ree Drummond’s Tasty Cheeseburger Pizza
“There’s nothing traditionally ‘pizza’ about this cheeseburger pizza, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t ridiculously delicious!” says Ree Drummond of this recipe from her cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy! (Oct. 19). “It’s got big cheeseburger flavor, right down to the toppings and the sesame seed ‘bun’ crust all around the edge.” Get the recipe
Ayesha Curry’s Fig, Prosciutto and Taleggio Pizza
This upscale pizza is inspired by Ayesha Curry’s favorite pie. Use any variety of figs (or a combo) to make this classic savory-sweet combo. If fresh figs are available, use them; otherwise, dried are fine. You can use Brie instead of Taleggio. Get the recipe
Mediterranean Vegetable Pizza
This veggie pizza bursts with Mediterranean flavors. Get the recipe
Old Forge-Style Victory Pig Pizza
Eateries in and around Old Forge, a suburb of Scranton, Pa. specialize in pies that sport a thick crust topped with red sauce and mild cheese. Several years ago, a version of this recipe was posted on the internet, to which the owner of the far-famed Victory Pig pizzeria replied, “You have no clue of how my grandmother and grandfather made our pizza.… The real recipe will go to the grave with me!” So, this is NOT the genuine article, but it makes a pretty good facsimile to the rich, oily pizza that has made Victory Pig a local legend. Get the recipe
Chicago-Style Deep Dish
Chicago’s deep-dish pizza, invented at Pizzeria Uno, features cheese and chunked tomatoes surrounded by a biscuit-rich crust. Chicago deep dish pizza requires a pan that is 2-3 inches deep and 10-12 inches across. Get the recipe
Rhino Pizzeria’s Famous Dill Pickle Pie
Rhino’s Pizzeria in Rochester, New York, created a dill pickle pizza a few years back, and let’s just say that it has its lovers and haters. We’re on board with the combo of briny dill pickles and gooey cheese! This version uses a handful of ingredients to create a similar experience at home. Get the recipe
Spinach Artichoke Pizza
If you’ve never had Artichoke Basille’s Pizza famous creamy artichoke pizza, you really haven’t lived. This perfect slice is basically spinach artichoke dip on a pizza and it’s pretty mind blowing, hence the need to have it over and over. One bite in and you’ll be craving it 24/7. Get the recipe
Chicken Fajita Pizza
With convenience items like rotisserie chicken for a short cut and bell peppers for added nutrition, make changes to start cooking heathy to better control what you eat. Fajitas and pizza in one recipe—a deliciously unbeatable combination and this chicken fajita recipe is even easy and healthy! Get the recipe
St. Louis-Style Pizza
Thin crust and creamy provel cheese (a blend of cheddar, swiss, and provolone) define this city’s signature pizza; it’s portioned out in small, square cuts that fit in one hand—so you can hold a schooner of beer in the other. Get the recipe
Maine Lobster Pesto Pizza
From classy tailgate parties to intimate dinners for two, lobster options are plentiful. Try this lobster pesto pizza and add a little pizzaz to your next meal. Need help on cooking lobsters? Click here. Get the recipe
Chicken Florentine Flatbread Pizza
The dough for the crust is extremely simple to make, and there’s no need to worry about fiddling around with yeast and rising times. Just add a creamy herb sauce and top with tomatoes and spinach—a decidedly un-boring way to use those leftovers! Get the recipe
Meatball Pizza
This scrumptious—and filling—meatball pizza will put those hunger pangs at bay. Get the recipe
Garlic Bread Pizzas
These hands-friendly, budget-friendly pizzas are great for the littles to help with. You can even make it a “bar” style meal and let them build their own individual pizza. Perfect for when their friends come for a sleepover or pool party too! Get the recipe
Grilled West Coast IPA Style Pulled Pork Flatbread Pizza
Naan bread, grated cheese, sliced red onion, and some Curly’s Pulled Pork (found in the refrigerated meat section of your grocery store) makes for one amazing flatbread. Get the recipe
Frozen Pizza with Meatballs, Arugula and Fresh Veggie Toppings
Upgrade an unassuming frozen cheese pizza with a perfectly savory combo of toppings. This meatball pizza might be the best frozen pizza ever, with fresh red onion and arugula, pepperoncini peppers and Italian seasoning. You can use frozen beef meatballs or try turkey, chicken or meatless varieties instead. Get the recipe
The Meltiest Slice of Pizza
Food stylist Callie Blount shares her method for getting a melty, mouthwatering “cheese pull” (when the cheese stretches out as you pull a slice from the pizza). Get the recipe
Easy Sausage Pizza
A quick (and customizable!) sausage pizza that’s topped with green peppers and mozzarella. Get the recipe
Wolfgang Puck’s Whole Wheat Mini Pizzas
Make a square with whole-wheat dough, lots of fresh vegetables and a little cheese, then cut it into small squares. Cook it the night before at home, and then the kids can eat it cold at school like focaccia. Get the recipe
Pizza Margherita
This pizza margherita echoes back to the classic Italian pie originally created for a visiting queen. Our version uses all of the basic elements of the original, with two big additions: convenience and ease! We used a fresh dough for this one, picked up from our local grocer. To that we added cherry tomatoes (which are always available) in lieu of fresh Romas and allowed them to roast in a 500 degree oven. The results: An easy-to-make, homemade, colorful and mouthwatering pizza, ready to eat from start to finish in about 20 minutes. Get the recipe
