5 Recipes to Celebrate National Pizza Day

Image Credit: Divas Can Cook

Today is National Pizza Day, which is quite possibly the best food holiday all year. Pizza is the perfect food for every occasion – cold pizza for breakfast, fancy pizza for dinner, delivery to a party, and so on. Some of my favorite childhood food memories are of pizza days at school, and even into adulthood, occasional pizza days at work never fail to turn a ho-hum day into a great day. Pizza is also one of the most versatile foods with variations on how to make and present nearly every aspect of it, not to mention a myriad of toppings to dress it up. Though turning pizza into other foods, like pizza burgers or pizza dips, is all the rage now, there is nothing better and more satisfying than a slice of pizza. And while delivery and frozen pizzas are incredibly satisfying, these homemade pizza recipes are definitely worth a try.

Quick Homemade Pizza {Divas Can Cook}

What’s better than basic pizza? Absolutely nothing, that’s what. This is a simple, yet tasty, homemade sauce and crust recipe. Sure you can buy pre-made crust and sauce, but what’s the point if making them is so easy? The toppings are all based on personal preference so feel free to switch it up however you’d like. Just sprinkle some cheese on top, and you have a quick and easy pizza any night of the week.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza {The Pioneer Woman}

Image Credit: Martha Stewart

Cauliflower crust pizza is definitely trendy at the moment. It’s a good option for those who can’t eat gluten or for those who want to cut down on carbs. You can shape it and dress it up just like a normal pizza crust, and when toppings, sauce, and cheese are added, it’s hard to tell the difference. Just make sure the cauliflower gets wrung out thoroughly, otherwise you risk ending up with a soggy crust. Otherwise, it makes a great substitute for the traditional pizza crust.

White Pizza {Martha Stewart}

Though it’s hard to imagine pizza without red sauce, white pizza will make you forget all about it. While it’s mostly just cheese and oil, there’s nothing basic about a white pizza. Ricotta and other cheeses come together with an olive oil drizzle to make up a creamy, delicious pizza. There’s a lot that can be done with a white pizza, and you can use any cheeses you’d like, just make sure to remember to season it with some salt and pepper (and red pepper flakes, if you’re inclined). It adds a lot of flavor to the final product.

Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza {Sally’s Baking Addiction}

While some “purists” might reject deep dish pizza, those of us who love all pizzas embrace it with open arms. Chicago-style deep dish pizza involves a few more steps and a bit more time than traditional thin crust pizza, but it is more than worth the wait. A hearty sauce and lots of cheese over a doughy base gives new meaning to the term “pizza pie” and you can dress it up with toppings or leave it plain. This recipe is fairly traditional for deep dish pizza, and it has great step by step instructions and pictures so you know you’re doing everything just right. If you’re looking to expand your horizons when making homemade pizza, this deep dish recipe is both easy and delicious.

Pizza Bagels {The Frugal Girl}

Image Credit: The Frugal Girl

How did that jingle go? “Pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening, pizza at suppertime?” Something like that. It was an old commercial jingle from my childhood for pizza bagels that occasionally still gets stuck in my head as an adult. But aside from today being National Pizza Day, it is also National Bagel Day. Though I am not always a fan of turning other foods into pizza, bagels are definitely the exception. Although most people don’t need a recipe for pizza bagels, at the very least this will give you an idea of what temperature to set your oven to. Pizza bagels are just like any other pizza, just with a bagel half as the crust instead. Put on whatever sauce, toppings, and cheese sounds good, and you’re good to go. Pizza bagels might be kind of a throwback to childhood, but there’s no reason not to enjoy them as an adult too.

What’s not to love about pizza? It is one of the most versatile foods, and its endless preparations and topping combinations means it can be loved by almost anyone. From the most traditional, plain pizzas to decadent, ornate pizzas, there is definitely something for everyone. Pizza can be savory, sweet, and everything in between. Whether homemade, delivery, or frozen, there is no shame in loving pizza, and it is more than deserving of its own national holiday.

How will you celebrate National Pizza Day? Have a favorite pizza recipe? Favorite pizza topping? Feel free to share all your pizza love with us in the comments!