Pizza Toppings

Pizza is one of America's favorite dishes. Whether prepared at home or delivered, eaten by the slice or as an entire meal, pizza is made in many different ways all across the country. The only thing about pizza that remains the same from place to place is that it can be made in any imaginable way. The fastest and easiest way to make pizza taste like something new and different every single time is to change up the toppings.

On a pizza, toppings can range from traditional to off-the-wall, and all are delicious. Pizza recipes can be altered by using different things for sauce, adding different items on top of the sauce and changing up the cheese.

Different styles and types of sauces can take a pizza from ordinary to extraordinary in seconds. Traditional pizza sauce can be pushed aside in favor of salsa for a Mexican-themed pizza, alfredo sauce for a different take on Italian, a bit of soy sauce for an Oriental theme or even no sauce for a very low-sodium option.

The toppings generally go on top of the sauce. Play it safe with traditional toppers, like pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, Canadian bacon, onion, bell pepper and olive, or throw caution to the wind and experiment with other things. Some off-the-wall, yet increasingly common, options include pineapple and ham, or chicken alone or with other vegetables. Vegetarian pizzas even have been known to use broccoli florets, cabbage, carrots and other items for a healthy kick.

The final way to change up pizza toppings is to experiment with cheese. Who says traditional mozzarella is the only way to go? Throw on parmesan cheese for a different texture, or try Monterey jack or cheddar. Feta cheese is a creamy and different addition to any pizza pie, and Mexican cheeses like queso freso or queso blanco can change the entire personality of the dish.