Pizza Toppings Beyond Pepperoni

epperoni is a staple of American pizza. You can't go to a pie place without seeing a double- or even triple-pepperoni pie on the menu. This humble sausage isn't the only topping out there, though. There are tons of topping combinations that don't include pepperoni at all. Prepare your taste buds for new and delicious flavors that might just become your next staple.

Veggies

Pizza is often known for being meat-laden; there is not a menu out there that doesn't feature a "meat lover's" or "all meat" pie. Next time you're in the mood for something cheesy and delicious, go the opposite direction with your slice. Pizzerias offer an extensive selection of vegetables, like onions, eggplant, tomatoes, red peppers, broccoli, and more. Ask for a large one with all of the veggies. Tell yourself you're being "healthy."

White

Have you ever felt like your dinner had one too many tomatoes? This is much lighter than the pepperoni or cheese pies you're used to getting. Instead of marinara, order a pie with a brush of olive oil. Ask for it to be topped with mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and maybe some green olives. Drizzle just a little olive oil over the baked pie before eating it. This makes for a flavorful pie that is light yet satisfying, and it doesn't have a single tomato.

Hot Wings

Ask for your dough to be spread with hot wing sauce, and then have sliced chicken or even chicken wings and bleu cheese added. You can also try this with ranch instead of hot wing sauce, with the buffalo sauce on the side. This would be a great choice for wing lovers, or for snacks or dinner during a game. You can still get celery on the side for the "healthy" part.

Bacon Cheeseburger

For this one, you can start with the plain old marinara sauce, but you'll want to ask for cheddar instead of the more common mozzarella cheese. Add ground beef, red or white chopped onions, and diced tomatoes, and, last but not least, bacon. This one smells good, but the taste is even better.

Green Olives, Green Peppers, and Ham

This one might sound a bit strange at first, but the flavor combination works. The vinegary flavor of the green olives complements the saltier flavor of the ham, and the red peppers provide a nice, sharp contrast. Try on a traditional mozzarella and marinara pizza, or order it with pesto for a nutty complement.

Of course, these are only a few of the many flavor combinations possible from the ingredients found at most pizzerias. Walnuts, pears, and even pickled eggs are popping up on pies. Visit your local shop to see what is available and how to spice up your next pizza.