Hawaiian Pizza but make it with SPAM. Instead of Canadian bacon, this already controversial pineapple topped pizza is topped with SPAM for a fun twist.

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In honor of my birthday month and the famous meme for “it’s gonna be May” I’ve decided to declare that this whole month is gonna be about me. While I don’t normally share recipes that don’t have my stamp of approval, this month every recipe is going to be focused on my favorite things.

To start, it’s pizza! My favorite pizza is actually a Hawaiian pizza but somehow the only version I have shared on here is a sweet and spicy version. While delicious, it’s hard to beat the original. But of course that means I had to attempt to change it up anyway – so naturally I substituted the Canadian bacon for SPAM to make a Hawaiian SPAM Pizza!

Somehow this is only my second SPAM recipe ever. I have created all kind of hair-brained ideas for Cheetos (will I come up with another this month?) but only 2 for SPAM? While I admit the SPAM tacos are supreme, I think there is room for more SPAM recipes so it’s time to change that.

Probably one of my favorite recipes using SPAM is a simple maple glazed version from the Korean American Cookbook that we did for Cookbook Club. I almost made that to top off this SPAM pizza but decided to keep it simple and instead sliced it up as it if were still Canadian bacon.

I did also add a little bit of dried basil and sliced red onion to the toppings and then a drizzle of hot honey post-oven. Honestly, I think SPAM was meant to be on pizza and this will definitely be making another appearance. If for no other reason than I want to try brushing the SPAM with honey first to see if it will crisp up some more because I don’t want to deal with dirtying another pan by cooking it first.

Or maybe one day I will go ahead and go completely rouge and come up with appropriate toppings to pair with the maple glazed SPAM. What do you think? SPAM pizza can’t possibly be weirder than some of the fruit topped pizzas I’ve come up with over the years.

HAWAIIAM SPAM PIZZA

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Yield: 3-4 Servings Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 15 Minutes 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 recipe pizza dough, risen
• 1/2 cup favorite pizza sauce
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped SPAM
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh pineapple
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion
• Hot honey (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 500 and move rack to just above the center with pizza stone*. Allow stone to preheat for at least 30 minutes.
2. Roll out pizza dough and transfer to a pizza peel* sprinkled with cornmeal.
3. Spread pizza sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a crust, followed by dried basil, cheeses, SPAM, pineapple, and and red onion.
4. Shimmy the pizza off the peel and onto the stone and bake for 10-15 minutes until the crust is crispy and brown and the cheese is bubbly. Carefully remove from oven, let cool slightly, drizzle with hot honey (if using,) then slice and serve.

Notes

*If you don't have a pizza stone or peel, you can just assemble the pizza on a baking sheet.

Source: Adapted from my Sweet ‘n Spicy Hawaiian Pizza.

Pulling decorative inspiration from the iconic and divisive Halloween candy, this candy corn pizza is a fun way to celebrate Halloween Friday pizza night.

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No, this is not a dessert candy corn pizza. Bleh, I dislike candy corn in except for it’s cute inspirational factor for Halloween such as in this recipe. The corn kernels and pepperoni are arranged like the coloring of candy corn when sliced. Pair with some cute mini mummy dogs for a really fun meal.

I maybe should have made this a oil or white sauce base to ensure the white part was more white. The red sauce tinted the otherwise white part with just cheese but you know what? I think it tasted great the way it is. If you are so inclined you are more than welcome to drizzle some hot honey on top if you want a little sweet heat to give an ode to it’s sweet inspiration.

It may be the last day of Halloween Treats Week but rest assured, if you haven’t gotten enough there’s a whole list of recipes waiting for you below from some blogger friends.

I will also be posting at least one more recipe outside of this event leading up to Halloween. Of course I had a slew of other Halloween recipes archived for your taste buds pleasure.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Welcome to 2025’s #HalloweenTreatsWeek event!

This is our 8th year doing #HalloweenTreatsWeek … has it really been 8 years? Wow!

#HalloweenTreatsWeek is a Halloween blogging event that is hosted by Angie from Big Bear’s Wife every October. This event is an online, week-long event that is filled with some amazingly wicked Halloween treats and recipes from some fantastic Halloween-loving bloggers!

Make Sure to check out all of the fun Halloween recipes that we’re sharing this week!

• Boo Brownie Batter Dip from Big Bear’s Wife
• Halloween Deviled Eggs from Southern Halloween Queen
• Dark Chocolate Skull Cakes from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Trick or Treat Trifles from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Halloween Pizza from Art of Natural Living
• Poisoned Apple Cream Puffs from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

CANDY CORN PIZZA

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Yield: 3-4 Servings Prep Time: 35 Minutes Cooking Time: 20 Minutes 20 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 recipe pizza dough, risen
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 8 oz. fresh Mozzarella cheese, shredded 
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 24-ish pepperoni slices
• 2 ears of corn, cooked and kernels removed (about 1 cup)*
• Salt, to taste
• Hot honey, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with pizza stone** on middle rack.
2. Shape the prepared dough into a flattened disk. Place it on a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel**, cover it, and let it rest for 15 minutes. Push the dough towards the edges of the peel, cover and let it rest for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl toss together the shredded Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
4. Spread pizza sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a 1-inch border on the edge. Top with mozzarella cheese blend, then made a ring of pepperoni of the pizza surrounded by a ring of corn on the edges. Sprinkle the corn with a little salt, if desired.
5. Using the pizza peel, transfer the pizza to the hot stone in the oven with a few shakes. Bake until toppings are hot and cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15-20 minutes.
6. Drizzle with hot honey, if using, and allow to cool slightly before cutting and serving.

Notes

*Can use canned or frozen corn but won't be as good. **If you do not have a pizza peel and/or stone, roll dough out on round pizza pan and bake.

Source: Inspired by Ghoul at Heart.

Pizza night just got even more customizable, allowing everyone to pick out the toppings they prefer on this pizza charcuterie board.

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Did you know that in addition to being spooky month, October is National Pizza Month? Seemed like the right time to share my pizza charcuterie board creation before I dive into the Halloween treats.

I’ve seen different versions of pizza charcuterie on the internet. One version is a charcuterie board baked right into the pizza crust itself which was super fun but seemed like it would be better as a two person sharing size than a larger sized one for a group. Since I planned to make this for when we hosted our neighborhood happy hour I needed something more easily shared.

The more obvious version is a charcuterie with pizza-inspired components – different sauces, cheeses, cured meat, and other preferred toppings (fruit on pizza anyone?). But then I got thinking, why slap those toppings on crackers or crostini when you can basically build your own pizza instead?

I present to you a cheese pizza charcuterie where you chose your adventure, adding your preferred toppings to slices of cheese pizza – can be homemade, frozen, or from a pizza shop. I even served it on our large pizza peel!

While I did include crackers for those that wanted smaller bites, not many of them were eaten as made evident by how many were left at the end. Not that I blame them. Why would you pick a cracker when you can have cheese pizza? I did make my cheese pizza mostly from scratch but used a store-bought dough instead of a homemade pizza crust but feel free to go all out.

I almost made a white cheese pizza without any tomato pizza sauce in case someone would rather had an olive oil or pesto base, but then I didn’t because I wasn’t going to deal with putting a cup of oil on the board and I think pesto and tomato sauce pair just fine together. I also added a little cup of crushed red pepper for those that like a little heat.

Of course you can get even more creative and add BBQ sauce, Buffalo sauce, Ranch or whatever other ideas you come up with. One of the reasons I love pizza so much is it’s versatility if you are willing to go outside of the box.

Next up is more cheese! Because what does a cheese pizza need other than more cheese? Especially when it’s fresh mozzarella balls or ricotta. I love me some post-oven ricotta on a pizza.

Burrata would also be a great option albeit a little messier. Of course again there’s all kind of options to choose from, especially if you change up the sauces to something less traditional. If you did BBQ or Buffalo sauce as mentioned earlier, a smoked cheddar cheese would also be a great option as seen on my BBQ Pork Charcuterie.

Once you have enough cheese it’s time for the toppings that truly start to divide a crowd. I had pepperoni, prosciutto, black olives, Paisano peppers (a pepperoncini variety), fresh basil and other herbs from my garden, sun-dried tomatoes, and hot honey (it was served on the side in a bottle to make life easy). Balsamic glaze would also be a great addition.

I originally intended there to be ham, bacon, and pineapple as well but honestly I ran out of room and figured I had enough going on. But making it your own is the best part about making a pizza charcuterie, or any charcuterie really. Add or remove the toppings you prefer. Or make it a double feature paired with a Fall Charcuterie Board to mix and match the toppings.

PIZZA CHARCUTERIE

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Yield: 6-8 Servings Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 large sheet pan cheese pizza, sliced into small pieces
• 6 oz. pepperoni
• 6 oz. prosciutto
• 8 oz. fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine
• 8 oz. ricotta cheese
• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 1/4 cup basil pesto
• 1 small (2.25 oz) can of sliced black olives, drained
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
• 1/2 cup Paisano peppers or pepperoncini
• Fresh basil or other herbs
• Crushed red pepper
• 8 oz. assorted crackers (optional)

Directions

1. On a large pizza peel or platter, arrange pizza slices, meat, cheese, sauces, and olives (in small bowls or ramekins). Fill in any empty spaces with sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini, fresh herbs, and crackers if desired. Serve immediately.

This gorgonzola pear pizza is more than it’s name implies with creamy mozzarella, tangy gorgonzola, nutty parmesan, salty prosciutto, juicy pears, sweet honey, and savory thyme.

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It’s been a hot minute since I’ve shared a new pizza recipe – over a year in fact. In August of last year I last shared the recipe for a Mexican street corn pizza. So it seems like I am overdue to share another.

I decided it was time to add another entry to my fruit on pizza list with a gorgonzola pear pizza. Of course there’re more to it than just those two ingredients.

What all is on my gorgonzola pear pizza?

• Olive oil base seasoned with salt and pepper
• Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, and Parmesan cheese
• Fresh sliced pear
• Thinly sliced prosciutto
• A post-oven drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of fresh thyme

As we watch the temperatures drop and start feeling whisps of fall, this seemed like the perfect pizza. Pears don’t get enough love in my opinion and it’s exceptionally delicious on this pizza.

You’ve got creamy mozzarella, tangy gorgonzola, nutty parmesan, salty prosciutto, all nestled in with those juicy pears. Then when it’s out of the oven it’s all topped with some sweet honey and savory thyme. Bonus points for being able to pluck thyme from my garden to make this!

• Apple Oatmeal Bread by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Brown Butter Green Beans with Pecans by Art of Natural Living
• Apple Snack Cake by Magical Ingredients
• Maple Pumpkin Chia Pudding by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Preserved Lemon Baba Ghanoush by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Apple Slaw by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting by Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box

GORGONZOLA PEAR PIZZA

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Yield: 4 Servings Prep Time: 50 Minutes Cooking Time: 20 Minutes 20 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 recipe pizza dough, risen
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 oz. shredded Mozzarella
• 3 oz. crumbled Gorgonzola
• 1 oz. finely shredded Parmesan
• 1/2 of a large pear, thinly sliced
• 1 oz. prosciutto, cut into strips
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp fresh thyme

Directions

1. Place pizza stone* on oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 500°F for at least 30 minutes.
2. Roll out pizza dough and transfer to a pizza peel sprinkled with cornmeal.
3. Evenly brush the olive oil over the crust, followed by salt and pepper to taste. Top with mozzarella, gorgonzola, parmesan, pears, and prosciutto.
4. Transfer to the pizza stone (without removing from the oven) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust starts to turn golden and the cheese starts to bubble.
5. Immediately drizzle with honey and sprinkle fresh thyme on top. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

*If you don't have a pizza stone, assemble your pizza on a baking pan.

Source: Inspired by a pizza called The Elliott at Yellow Brick Pizza in Columbus, OH and adapted from my Grape & Gorgonzola Pizza.

Sushi is great but have you tried Italian sushi? Fresh mozzarella, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil are rolled up in prosciutto and drizzled with balsamic and olive oil.

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It’s no secret that I do not like seafood sushi – and yes it’s still sushi without seafood. Technically what truly makes sushi is the use of vinegared rice because the term “sushi” is derived from a Japanese word that means “sour rice”. Yo may have learned something today and you’re welcome.

While I admit, most of the “sushi” recipes I have shared involve vinegared rice (Cheetos sushi, breakfast sushi, and definitely not rice crispy sushi) I am proud to say my sushi burger does in fact have a vinegared rice bun. Go me!

But then I decided to throw the rice out the window and make Italian sushi, but there’s still vinegar in the form of balsamic if that counts? Probably not, but the shape of this dish is inspired by sushi and thus the name stuck.

What do you need to make Italian Sushi?

• Prosciutto
• Sundried tomatoes
• Arugula
• Fresh mozzarella
• Basil
• Balasamic vinegar
• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

While this recipe requires no cook time, most of the prep time is spent layering the prosciutto. Once you have your beautiful layers of salt-cured ham, top it off with arugula, fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and then a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, salt and pepper before rolling it up, slicing into rounds, and drizzling with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Just look at those gorgeous little Italian sushi! I brought these to our neighborhood potluck and even though we arrived late, and many people had moved onto dessert, they were devoured. The only thing that could have been better is if I had paired them with some homemade Italian cream soda.

I do have one regret – I wish I had thought of it while I was buying the ingredients, but I should have served them with those long skinny crispy Italian breadsticks (grissini) to use them like chopsticks – edible chopsticks!

In other words, when you make these be better than I was and pick up some if your store has any. I think that would really take these to the next level. Especially if you are making these part of a nine course Italian dinner.

ITALIAN SUSHI

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Yield: 8 Servings Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 16 oz. prosciutto
• 3.5 oz (~1/2 a 6.7 oz jar) sun-dried tomatoes, drained and rinsed
• 1 packed cup arugula
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella*
• 4-6 fresh basil leaves
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• Balsamic vinegar
• Olive oil

Directions

1. On your work surface, lay out 16-inch sheet of parchment paper.
2. Carefully separate the slices of prosciutto, then layer them on the long edges 1-inch at a time, creating a large sheet of prosciutto.
3. On the bottom 2/3 of the prosciutto, evenly spread the arugula. Roll the mozzarella into 1-inch logs then place on the bottom 1/3. Place fresh basil leaves on top of the mozzarella followed by the sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and a light drizzle of balsamic
4. Starting at the bottom edge closest to you, tightly roll up the prosciutto over the filling, using the parchment paper to help.
5. Cut into 1-inch slices, arrange on a platter, and chill until ready to serve. Prior to serving, drizzle with balsamic and olive oil.

Notes

*Must use fresh in order to shape into thinner logs.

Source: Inspired by various videos on the internet.

Mexican Street Corn Pizza is made with a chipotle mayonnaise sauce, topped with sweet corn, mozzarella, and jalapeno, then finished with cotija, lime juice, Tajin, and cilantro.

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I have posted a corn pizza inspired by a restaurant before and today is yet another. This time it’s a Mexican street corn pizza! Inspired by the Pies & Pints street corn, this pizza is topped with a chipotle-mayo sauce, mozzarella, loads of corn, and jalapeno and then finished with lime, cotija, Tajin, and cilantro.

If you don’t know what Tajin is, you’re missing out. I first discovered it from a foodie friend who told me to try it on mango. To this day, sprinkled over mango is still one of my favorite ways to enjoy this chili-lime seasoning – such as coconut sticky rice with mango.

As for this Mexican street corn pizza, while I normally top elote with smoked paprika, I decided Tajin was the right choice for street corn pizza. Don’t have Tajin? You can make homemade Tajin or just substitute with a mixture of chili powder, lime zest, and salt.

But enough about Tajin. Sure it makes the flavors of this pizza pop, the corn is the true star! Make sure you grab some fresh from the Farmers’ Market while it’s still in season to enjoy this pizza in its prime. Sure you could use canned or frozen corn, but it just won’t be as good.

• Brussels Slaw by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Whole Honey Roast Carrots by Art of Natural Living
• Easy Ratatouille Casserole by Blogghetti
• Air Fryer Bell Peppers by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Creamy Ranch Corn & Cucumber Salad with Dill by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Scarlet Sunrise Platter by Magical Ingredients
• Broccoli Tots by Palatable Pastime
• Sourdough Rosemary Focaccia by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Zucchini Panzanella Salad by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Vietnamese Chicken Salad by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Root Vegetable Medley by Our Good Life

MEXICAN STREET CORN PIZZA

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Yield: 3-4 Servings Prep Time: 35 Minutes Cooking Time: 20 Minutes 20 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 recipe pizza dough, risen
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 whole Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced (about 2 tsp)
• 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2-3 ears of corn, cooked and kernels removed (about 1-1/2 to 2 cups)*
• 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced
• Juice from 1/2 a lime
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 1 Tbsp Tajin chili lime seasoning**
• 1 Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with pizza stone*** on middle rack.
2. Shape the prepared dough into a flattened disk. Place it on a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel***, cover it, and let it rest for 15 minutes. Push the dough towards the edges of the peel, cover and let it rest for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise and chipotle pepper. Spread over the pizza dough, leaving a 1-inch border on the edge. Top with mozzarella, corn, and jalapeno.
4. Using the pizza peel, transfer the pizza to the hot stone in the oven with a few shakes. Bake until toppings are hot and cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15-20 minutes.
5. Allow to cool slightly before topping with lime juice, cotija, Tajin, and cilantro. Cut and serve.

Notes

*Can use canned or frozen corn but won't be as good. **Can substitute Tajin with chili powder, lime zest, and a little salt. ***If you do not have a pizza peel and/or stone, roll dough out on round pizza pan and bake.

Source: The Spiffy Cookie original.

Take white pizza to the next level with this shaved asparagus ricotta pizza. Asparagus and prosciutto sit on top of a mixture of creamy ricotta, parmesan, fresh basil, garlic, and lemon.

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Have you ever had asparagus on pizza? Because if not, this is a sign that you should in the form of this shaved asparagus and ricotta pizza.

While this is definitely no the first time I’ve used asparagus as a pizza topping, it is definitely the first time I have shaved it into ribbons. The extra little bit of effort really makes it an even better pizza topping as it is easier to bite through that when it is a full cooked asparagus. And the convenient part is that you don’t have to trim off those woody ends as they make for a great handle to hold while shaving with a peeler.

Underneath those beautiful edible ribbons of asparagus, this asparagus ricotta pizza base is made from a mixture of creamy ricotta, nutty parmesan, fresh basil, zesty lemon, and pungent garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper then dollop with some shreds of fresh mozzarella and you have the perfect base for this tasty white pizza.

It looks gorgeous once it’s cooked too, I almost forgot the next step…

Once it’s out of the oven, top it off with some torn prosciutto (omit for vegetarian), more fresh basil, and a little drizzle of lemon juice. The only thing that could possibly make this pizza better is a drizzle of balsamic glaze instead but with the summer heat I wanted to keep it lighter in flavor.

So what do you say to adding this shaved asparagus ricotta pizza to your menu for pizza night? If you are feeling brave try another of my favorite white pizzas – grape and gorgonzola pizza.

SHAVED ASPARAGUS RICOTTA PIZZA

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Yield: 3-4 Servings Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 12 Minutes 12 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 pound store-bought or homemade pizza dough
• Cornmeal, for dusting baking sheet
• 1-1/2 cups fresh ricotta
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil, divided
• 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup shredded fresh mozzarella
• 1/2 pound asparagus (medium thickness)
• 4 slices prosciutto, roughly torn

Directions

1. Place pizza stone* on oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 500°F for at least 30 minutes.
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until it is roughly 12 inches wide and 1/4-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a pizza peel** liberally sprinkled with cornmeal. Let rest while you prepare the toppings.
3. In a medium bowl combine the ricotta, parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons basil, lemon zest, garlic, and olive oil. Season the cheese mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the asparagus length-wise into thin ribbons***. Place in a small bowl and toss with remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
5. Spread the ricotta mixture all over the pizza, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges, top with mozzarella, then evenly distribute the asparagus ribbons on top.
6. Bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes, rotating half-way through, until the crust is fully baked and golden brown.
7. Remove the pizza from the oven to a cutting board, add strips of prosciutto (if using) on top, drizzle with lemon juice, sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of basil, and serve.

Notes

*If you don't have a pizza stone, assemble your pizza on a baking pan. **If you have a pizza stone, but not a pizza peel, use un-rimmed baking sheet. ***Don't remove the tough ends, instead use them to grip the asparagus as you peel them.

Source: Adapted from Just a Taste.

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A fluffy sourdough focaccia pizza crust is topped with pizza sauce, melty cheese, cup and char pepperoni, fresh basil, and a drizzle of hot honey.

This content contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Up until the last couple of years, I never liked thick crust pizza. Mostly because my exposure was limited to Pizza Hut’s deep dish pan crust which I found to be oily and stale tasting – granted that was in the early 90s so I cannot report how it compares to the current times. I stuck to hand tossed or thin crust for the majority of the first 30 years of my life.

What is Columbus-style pizza?

My love of thin crust came in handy when I first moved to Columbus in 2003 and met their crunchy, thin, pepperoni-loaded, square-cut (aka party-cut or tavern-cut) pizza slices. But despite all the flak Columbus-style pizza gets nationally for it’s cracker-like crust, according to a book about Columbus pizza history one of the best nationally recognized pepperoni brands (and family-owned), Ezzo Sausage, is also made here! Even Alton Brown gives it his stamp of approval.

Of course Columbus pizzerias do not exclusively sell thin crust pizzas, there are plenty of other styles to go around including the more American-traditional hand-tossed triangle-cut slices. In fact, the first pizza served in Columbus was a thicker crust, and recently more varieties have come on the scene including those inspired by Chicago, Detroit, and even Sicily.

The first I had was Detroit-style and that’s the one that turned me over to the dark side of enjoying thicker crust pizza. Compared to my childhood memories, the crust was buttery, crispy on the edges, but also fluffy inside. It kind of reminded me of focaccia. 

Enter the sourdough focaccia pizza crust.

Fast forward to a year long commitment to my sourdough starter (we’ve been on an off for years but this is our longest running relationship thus far), and I’ve now perfected both focaccia and a focaccia pizza crust. Of course, topped with Ezzo’s cup-and-char pepperoni that I am lucky enough to find at a local grocery called Weiland’s in my neighborhood. Those crispy, thicker pepperonis literally turn into cups and collect little pools of grease (no blotting allowed).

Don’t forget the drizzle of hot honey, a post-oven topping that has also taken Columbus by storm thanks to Paulie Gee’s, that also takes up residence in those cups. I used to drizzle balsamic reduction all over my pizzas, but now I oscillate between that and hot honey. Other favorite post-oven toppings include: fresh basil (pictured here), ricotta, burrata, and fresh greens (especially arugula).

Six years ago: Redheads

Seven years ago: Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Ten years ago: Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Dump Cake

SOURDOUGH FOCACCIA PIZZA

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Yield: 4 servings Prep Time: 20 Hours Cooking Time: 25 Minutes 25 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup ripe (fed) sourdough starter*
• 3/4 cup lukewarm water
• 1-1/2 tsp instant yeast
• 3 cups bread flour**
• 3 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for pan
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded fresh mozzarella***
• Pepperoni (preferably cup and char from Ezzo Sausage)
• Hot honey and fresh basil, for garnish

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combined the starter, water, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes or until yeast starts to foam.
2. To the yeast mixture, add flour, oil, honey, and salt. Mix and knead (by hand or stand mixer) until smooth and elastic. If dry add more water, if too sticky add more flour. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 60 minutes*.
3. Gently fold the dough over three or four times, and let it rise for another 60 minutes*.
4. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons olive oil into the center of a large rimmed half sheet baking pan (13x18-inches). Transfer the dough to the pan, and turn it over to coat it with the oil.
5. Gently stretch the dough into the edges and corners of the pan. As soon as the dough begins to shrink back, cover it, and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Gently stretch the dough again, repeating the rest once more, if necessary, until the dough fills the pan.
6. Cover the pan and transfer it to the refrigerator to let the dough rise for 14-16 hours (overnight).
7. The next day, remove the pan of dough from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 425°F for 30 minutes with a rack placed on lower third of the oven.
8. Just before you're ready to bake, gently dimple the dough at irregular intervals with your fingers, pressing down firmly but not abruptly (don't want to deflate too much).
9. Spread pizza sauce over the top, then sprinkle with cheese, and top with pepperoni.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until light golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
11. Remove from the oven. Allow it to cool slightly before topping with hot honey and basil, then slice and serve.

Notes

*If your sourdough starter is not very active, add 1-1/2 tsp active dry yeast. Amount of rise may vary based on starter activity. **You can use all-purpose but it's better with bread flour. ***For the true Columbus experience, add a mixture of Provolone and Mozzarella.

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Tag @THESPIFFYCOOKIE on Instagram and hashtag it #THESPIFFYCOOKIE

Love buffalo wings? Then by default you already love this buffalo chicken pizza!

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Bob loves pizza. But he doesn’t really love that pizza night at home usually means whatever weird idea I came up with that week, like putting salad on pizza. Twice. And I have a habit of putting arugula on top post-oven. I have my eye on an easy philly cheesesteak pizza too. What can I say, I love to play with my food.

So I decided to let him pick the toppings and I was not surprised when he picked buffalo chicken. If pizza is his #1, buffalo chicken wings are his #2. I am fairly certain he could survive on the two alone. Besides, he’s not alone in thinking that a buffalo chicken pizza sounds delicious. It’s like buffalo chicken dip on a pizza. Speaking of party dips, I bet a spinach artichoke pizza would be delicious too… but I digress.

Not only is he a pizza snob but we both grew up in Western NY so we also are a bit particular about wings. Especially buffalo wings. Basically this is his favorite pizza ever.

And in case you were wondering – Pearl Street is better than Anchor Bar (IFKYK).

Another thing to note: I prefer Ranch but Bob thinks I’m a heretic and swears by blue cheese. He will even tell you how it is superior because it had more dairy in it and thus is better at cooling the heat. Says the man whose heat tolerance level starts where mine ends. 

So whether you are looking for a good pizza worthy of watching your favorite sports on TV, or you just want a delicious pizza, this is for you. Drizzled with either Ranch or Blue cheese dressing (although I did put crumbled blue cheese ON the pizza).

If you want to get a bit fancy use a vegetable peeler to slice up the celery and carrots for topping. Swirly crunchy goodness.

Pizza-licious Recipes

• Cast Iron Deep Dish Pizza from Art of Natural Living
• Chicken Pot Pie French Bread Pizza from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• French Bread Pizza from Palatable Pastime
• Italian Stromboli Recipe from Jen Around the World
• Pizza Potato Skins from That Recipe

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BUFFALO CHICKEN PIZZA

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Yield: 3-4 Servings Cooking Time: 15 Minutes 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 recipe pizza dough, risen
• 6 oz. cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded
• 1/4 cup hot cayenne pepper sauce
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• Ranch or Blue cheese dressing, for dipping
• Sliced carrots and celery, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 500 with a pizza stone* on a rack placed on the bottom third.
2. Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-14 inch round and transfer to a pizza peel sprinkled with corn meal*.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the butter and hot sauce. Spread the sauce over the crust in an even layer leaving an edge for the crust. Layer with chicken, mozzarella, and blue cheese.
4. Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the crust is lightly browned, about 12-15 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving with dressing, carrots, and celery.

Notes

*If not using a pizza stone, just transfer dough to a pan, top and bake.

Source: Adapted from my Buffalo Chicken Stromboli.

Fresh basil pesto is key in this flavorful pesto chicken lasagna with spinach, kale, chicken, ricotta, and plenty of cheesy goodness!

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With how much basil is growing in my garden, I have no need to get any from the Farmers Market, but since it is #FarmersMarketWeek I figured now was a great time to share a recipe using some homemade pesto in case you are in the same boat – whether home grown or picked up at your Farmers Market.

I am was lucky enough to be able to use some kale growing in my garden for this recipe too. All those fresh greens!

And yes the garlic bread I served with it was homemade too ;-). I didn’t make my own semolina pasta dough noodles or Mozzarella this time but I have before and it’s totally worth it if you have the time. This recipe is a little more realistic for the masses using dried noodles, shredded Rotisserie chicken, and store bought cheese.

Every time I talk about homemade pesto I say that it is remarkably better than anything store bought (unless you are buying it from somewhere that makes it fresh). The color alone is a great indicator of it’s freshness – just look how bright green it is! Store bought is usually brownish green and comes with only half the flavor.

Add in the fresh garlic, fresh Parmesan cheese, and some high quality olive oil, and you’ll never go back to store bought ever again. Unless of course you simply don’t have the time in which case go ahead and use that jar, this lasagna is worth it either way.

In the effort of saving time, I usually make large batches of pesto, especially at the end of the season when I am chopping everything down, and then freeze it so I can enjoy that fresh basil flavor anytime. Plus, then I don’t have to drag out my food processor the next time I want pesto.

I thank my past self for little things like this all the time. This is my kind of self-care and self-love.

While we try to eat a lot of lean protein and vegetables, quarantine has us cravings comforting carbs more than ever. Thank goodness for our home gym in the basement, because the two of us are all of this lasagna (obviously not in one sitting).

One year ago: Lamb Burgers with Purslane Aioli

Four years ago: August 2016 Stitch Fix #17

Five year ago: Wheat Berry Salad

Six years ago: Turkey and Kale Panini

Seven years ago: Gnocchi with Sausage and Kale

Nine years ago: “I Can’t Believe It’s Healthier” Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

PESTO CHICKEN LASAGNA

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Yield: 9-12 servings Cooking Time: 50 MInutes 50 MInutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

GREENS

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 cups loosely packed spinach, chopped
• 4 cups loosely packed kale leaves, chopped
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp onion powder

RICOTTA

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 16 oz. ricotta

CHICKEN

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt

ASSEMBLY

• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
• 1-1/2 cup basil pesto
• 2 cups Italian cheese blend
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced and torn into pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Add garlic, cooking just until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Add the spinach and kale in batches, and salt. Cook until greens have cooked down completely, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, blend together the eggs and ricotta. Set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, toss together the chicken and seasonings. Set aside.
5. To assemble the lasagna: Place 3 cooked noodles in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish. Spread 1/3 the ricotta mixture over noodles, top with 1/3 of the greens, 1/3 of the chicken, dot with 1/4 of the pesto, and sprinkle with 1/4 of the cheese. Add another layer of noodles, and repeat layering.
6. Add the final layer of noodles and top with the remaining pesto, shredded cheese, and mozzarella slices.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling mozzarella is golden brown. Cool 15 minutes, slice, and serve.

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