Best Pizza Topping Combinations

Pizza is a literal melting pot of different ingredients that we all love. I get to enjoy the cheesy goodness from it while also getting flavors from the best pizza topping combinations on it.

With different cultures and countries adapting to what is available, there are many versions of pizza that everybody enjoys.

After decades of putting different toppings on pizza, we have subconsciously agreed that some are better than other pizza topping combinations.

In this list, I have included classic combinations like supreme pizza, meat lovers pizza, Hawaiian pizza, and more.

Aside from the popular ones, I also included some less-popular pizza topping combinations that you might be curious about, but nonetheless, they are all great.

So please read on as I take you through these fantastic pizza topping combinations and see which one you prefer to try making at home.

Best Pizza Topping Combinations

Meat Options	Veggie/Fruit Options
Supreme Pizza	Veggie Pizza
Meat Lovers’ Pizza	Pesto Pizza
Hawaiian Pizza	Eggplant Pizza
Hamburger/Cheeseburger Pizza	Dessert Pizza
Taco Pizza
Bacon Buffalo Chicken Pizza
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Seafood Pizza

1. Supreme Pizza

I cannot go on this list without mentioning Supreme pizza on top. This pizza has many variations from different pizza places.

Supreme pizza is overloaded with toppings such as Italian sausage, pepperoni, bacon, red and green bell peppers, red onions, black olives, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.

I say there are variations because Domino’s has a Supreme pizza with the following ingredients: pepperoni, sausage, bell peppers, onions, and black olives.

Pizza Hut also has its own version with pepperoni, Italian sausage, green and red bell peppers, red onions, and mushrooms.

Supreme pizza is something that both meat lovers and veggie lovers love, with a mix of ingredients that ultimately have this savory flavor and fresh crunch.

2. Meat Lover’s Pizza

Meat Lover’s pizza is another pizza that is overloaded with different types of meat. The most common ones are Italian sausage, pepperoni, bacon, ham, pork, and beef.

Different pizza places also have their versions of the meat lover’s pizza. The main flavor of this pizza is of course, the meaty taste and savory flavors from the seasoned meat cuts.

Take note that when making meat lovers’ pizza at home, pre-cook the cuts of meat first before putting them on the pizza, so they cook as quickly as the crust and cheese.

My favorite thing about meat lovers’ pizza, as a carnivore, is how easy it is to get full. With just two or three slices, I am already full.

It can be heavy, but it is great. The protein-filled pizza is delicious with a little bit of spice in it and all the savory goodness that you love.

3. Hawaiian Pizza

Hawaiian pizza is not the most popular choice for pizza topping combinations. There has been a long debate on whether or not pineapples belong on pizza.

I love Hawaiian pizza because of how fresh it tastes, and the juiciness that comes from the pineapples is good.

This recipe included other ingredients as well such as red onions, red and green bell peppers, and a lot of mozzarella cheese aside from the pineapple and ham.

The red onions and pineapple chunks are caramelized as they cook in the oven. This gives the pizza a sweet and juicy flavor I have liked since I tried Hawaiian pizza.

So do not be afraid to try out new things, and who knows, you might actually like pineapple on pizza.

4. Veggie Pizza

For all my vegetarian people out there, this is the pizza for you. Veggie pizza is the opposite of meat lovers’ pizza.

Instead of using different cuts of meat, veggie pizza is a healthier option with a bunch of vegetable toppings that are full of delicious flavors and textures.

This recipe uses cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions.

While this mixture of toppings might seem bland, the flavors are surprisingly good. They mix really well, and the slight crunch from the broccoli is the cherry on top.

To make the pizza even more flavorful, the recipe uses Colby jack cheese and garden vegetable cream cheese as a sauce for that stronger buttery and salty flavor.

5. Hamburger/Cheeseburger Pizza

You might have heard of hamburger pizza, wherein the ingredients used for making hamburgers are used as pizza toppings.

This is a modern take on pizza topping combinations, and this recipe gives it a twist by making cheeseburger as the topping for the pizza.

This pizza has onions, minced garlic, ground beef, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, mozzarella, and bacon. This combination offers everything from sweet, savory, and salty.

This recipe uses classic red pizza sauce, which is good, but sometimes I prefer either BBQ sauce or just plain ketchup and mustard to get the cheeseburger taste.

You can get creative with the sauce and the toppings but make sure to use just a light and thin layer of whatever sauce you want. Remember, the highlight is the flavor of the toppings.

6. Taco Pizza

With the same concept as the hamburger pizza, the taco pizza uses the same ingredients you would use on a taco.

This delicious mix of Mexican flavors gives a bit of heat, sweetness, and savory goodness. It uses a lot of ingredients, but all of them are accessible.

The recipe uses ground beef, refried black beans, jalapenos, mozzarella, cheddar cheese, taco seasoning, and shredded lettuce.

You can enjoy the savory flavors of ground beef and black beans while the lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro gives off that freshness in the flavor.

I also liked this recipe’s mix of taco sauce and pizza sauce. They give off that fresh and slightly spicy flavor.

7. Bacon Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Chicken is one of the healthier options if you want a healthy and delicious pizza. This recipe mixes it with ingredients like blue cheese, crispy bacon, onions, and ranch dressing.

Simply cook chicken breasts and shred them before putting them on the pizza. The flavors that come from this pizza are somewhere between salty and savory.

The cheddar cheese and blue cheese give off the saltiness, while the bland flavor of the chicken balances out the saltiness.

I love spicy food, and since this pizza uses buffalo wing sauce, it hits the spot. You can limit the buffalo sauce you use if you are not as big of a fan of spicy food as me.

8. Pesto Pizza

This is another healthy option for making your pizzas at home. It is a delicious mix of herbs and pesto sauce that brings in the freshness you need during the summer.

With pesto sauce as the base, it blends all the herby flavors and fresh textures from the sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, and black olives.

I was skeptical about this pizza because the ingredients were not as flavorful at first glance. However, this pizza is one of the most flavorful veggie pizzas I have tried.

If you have a balsamic vinaigrette, it will even make the pizza better. It brings in the acidity that counters the pesto flavors for the perfect taste balance in your mouth.

9. Eggplant Pizza

Eggplant is a good substitute for meat because of its slightly chewy and meaty texture. Eggplants can be fried or broiled, but I chose this recipe because it includes grilling them.

Grilled eggplant is great as it releases that slightly smoky flavor that goes well with fresh toppings like garlic cloves and basil leaves.

The mix of parmesan and mozzarella cheese adds saltiness, which pairs perfectly well with the grilled eggplants.

This pizza topping combination is great if you want to start getting into a vegan or vegetarian diet.

10. Dessert Pizza

If you think eggplant is an unusual pizza topping combo, you will be surprised with this dessert pizza. This pizza has a topping combo made from FRUITS!

It is made with bananas, peaches, strawberries, nectarines, apricots, and berries. Mix that with delicious apple juice, sugar, and cream cheese, and you will have the best sugar rush.

After getting into some delicious savory pizzas, you can finish off your meal with a slice of this dessert pizza filled with sweet goodness and fresh flavors from the fruits.

11. BBQ Chicken Pizza 

This mix of grilled BBQ chicken, balsamic onions, and crispy bacon are like a healthy and delicious pizza topping combo.

The slightly sweet flavor from the onions is an excellent balance for the savory and salty flavors of the bacon and BBQ chicken.

In the recipe, the chicken is cooked on a pan, but I prefer grilling the chicken to get that smoky flavor that accentuates both the aroma and flavor of the pizza.

The BBQ sauce also adds sweet and smoky flavor to the pizza. You can use homemade BBQ sauce or buy a jarred one from grocery stores.

12. Seafood Pizza

Feeling a little adventurous? Then try this fantastic seafood pizza with crab, shrimp, and green onions as toppings.

The pizza uses white sauce from heavy cream, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, garlic powder, and creole seasoning.

This salty but tasty mixture is just perfect for a fresh seaside pizza. It is light and a bit acidic from the lemon juice so there is a perfect balance of savory and fresh flavors.

Add the crispy crust and the best seafood pizza you can cook at home.

Why Do These Pizza Combinations Work?

Any pizza lover knows most of the pizza topping combinations I included in the list. 

The main reason they work is that the toppings used are already standard in some pizzas and have been tried and tested by many.

The flavors blend well, the right balance of taste and aroma, the texture is enjoyable, and the overall quality is just right.

However, there are also some topping combinations that you might not be familiar with, but they still work just as well because of the following.

Flavor combination

Most pizza topping combinations have a perfect blend of flavors with similar tastes or something that counters or balances the flavor.

For instance, Italian sausage and pepperoni are often paired with onions and bell peppers. 

The onions and bell peppers’ sweetness balances out the spicy flavor of the pepperoni and sausage.

Another example is chicken. Chicken is sometimes bland, especially if you use the breast area. The solution for this is to mix it with stronger flavors like cheddar cheese.

So in terms of flavor, it is finding the toppings that have similar flavors or finding the right balance of the flavors of the toppings that you are using.

Texture

Some pizza toppings can add the right texture to the pizza. Veggie toppings tend to crisp up when cooked in high temperatures.

Meat toppings are chewy and blend well with crispy toppings. That is why supreme pizza pleases both meat and veggie lovers.

Broccoli, artichokes, and bell peppers have this crunch when you bite into them. I usually like this because it makes me chew longer so I get to taste more of the flavors of the pizza.

What To Look For In The Best Pizza Combinations

1. Do You Like All The Toppings?

You might want to look at the ingredients if you are trying out a new pizza topping combination. You might love the overall look or presentation, but one ingredient can ruin the whole pizza.

I love certain foods, but I usually have one topping removed because I’m not too fond of it, and it tends to overpower the other flavors.

For instance, I like this smoked salmon recipe, but I am not the biggest fan of cucumber, so I either remove them or just do not put them when I cook the pizza.

The cucumber does not have that much flavor, but it still manages to ruin the entire pizza for me.

So make sure that the toppings that you use are ingredients that are common to you and, most of all, that you like them.

2. Is It Popular Or Liked By Many?

One way to look into a pizza topping combination is whether many people like it. If it is, then that means that the pizza topping combination is tried and tested.

We have different flavor palettes, but there is no denying that some pizza topping combinations fit most flavor profiles.

Supreme pizza, meat lovers’ pizza, and veggie pizzas are liked by many, which means that it has a good reputation in terms of flavor and overall quality.

The perfect example of trial and error is the Hawaiian pizza. It is liked by many, but you might prefer not to have pineapples on your pizza.

So referring to what other people like is not the single most crucial factor when looking for a good pizza topping combo, but you can refer to what others are recommending.

3. Aroma

A great-tasting pizza will most likely have a great-smelling aroma. The aroma of the pizza also determines whether the ingredients are fresh or not.

Some of the most aromatic pizza toppings are garlic, ground beef, red onions, and bacon. 

Veggie toppings either have an herby aroma or an earthy one. The smell alone can determine whether the flavors blend well or not.

4. Does The Pizza Look Appetizing?

Finally, if the pizza does not look appetizing, it might not be as good. I’m not saying that all good pizzas should also have an appealing look.

Honestly, pesto pizza does not have the best or most aesthetically pleasing look for a pizza, but it is still a great-tasting pizza.

However, some pizza toppings should look appetizing. Colorful red and green bell peppers, red onions, browned ground beef, deep-red pepperoni, and more.

These colors blend well not only with the eyes but also in your mouth. 

Fresh ingredients also do not go off-color quickly when cooking, so the pizza’s look should also determine the quality and taste.