Ah, pizza – the Italian classic that has captured hearts and stomachs since, well forever. So what makes a pizza perfect? Is it the dough? The sauce? The toppings? It’s like a bike- you need the handles as much as you need the pedals, everything is important. But the toppings make your pizza stand out, and yes for Margherita pizzas, cheese is the topping.
The key lies in balance—combining the right flavors, textures, and layers to create an unforgettable experience. A good pizza isn’t just a meal: it’s an experience. In this blog, we’ll explore the best pizza toppings combinations.
Pizza Cheese 101: The Best Pizza Topping
Before we get to the other good stuff, we have to talk about the base that makes any good topping shine- pizza cheese! We’ll do a quick debrief on our favorites and their details:
- Mozzarella: Perhaps the most popular pizza cheese of all time, Mozzarella is beloved for its perfect consistency and mild flavor. It’s fresh with a creamy consistency that pairs well with everything and bakes beautifully.
- Feta: Feta cheese is a staple of Greek cuisine and adds a piquant freshness to any dish. It tastes amazing in any Mediterranean pizza variety.
- Ricotta: It is amazing on pizza and it tastes like pure heaven! Ricotta is mild, creamy, and holds its shape when heated, which makes it perfect for dolloping over your pizza.
- Asiago: Asiago is perfect for fans of Parmesan who want a smoother, sweeter, and nuttier option. It’s delicious but with a mild flavor.
Did you know? There are over 2,000 different varieties of cheese around the world, we could probably write a book on it. It’s super helpful to know the flavors because they add to the overall taste of any pizza.
The Best Pizza Toppings: Delicious Combinations
Choosing the best pizza toppings isn’t only about taste—it’s about creating balance. For example, combining salty toppings like pepperoni or anchovies with a mild flavor like mozzarella creates harmony, while adding a sweet element like caramelized onions or pineapple can elevate savory notes. Texture matters too—combine crispy bacon with soft mushrooms, or crunchy peppers with creamy ricotta for a satisfying bite.
Of course, not every combo is a winner. Anchovies and chocolate? Hmm, probably not. Blue cheese with jelly beans? Let’s not go there. The key is understanding how textures and flavors complement (or clash with) each other. Ready to explore some mouthwatering topping combinations? Let’s dive into this awesome list:
- The Original Pizza: A timeless classic, perfect if you’re craving familiarity and boldness with a touch of nostalgia.
Topped with:- Pepperoni
- Sausage
- Mushrooms
- Mozzarella cheese
- Original sauce (a Manny & Olga’s secret sauce)
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza: A hearty, indulgent combo, balanced beautifully with sauteed spinach and tangy ranch.
Topped with:- Chicken breast
- Crispy bacon
- Spinach
- Original sauce,
- A swirl of ranch
- Manny’s Feast Pizza: A loaded extravaganza with layers of meats, veggies, and cheeses—perfect for the ultimate pizza lover.
Topped with:- Ground beef
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Double cheese
- Green peppers
- Black olives
- Green olives
- Italian sausage
- Pepperoni
- Anchovies
- Supreme Pizza: Supremely hearty, with flavor that packs a punch. Words will not do this pizza (or any of the ones on this list) the justice it deserves.
Topped with:- Onions
- Ground beef
- Mushrooms
- Green peppers
- Pepperoni
- Big Fat Greek Pizza: This Mediterranean extravaganza may just take your tastebuds on a holiday to Santorini. With unique and fresh flavors, be prepared to come back for multiple seconds after your first bite.
Topped with:- Gyro meat
- Black olives
- Spinach
- Feta cheese
- Onions
- Sliced tomatoes
- Hawaiian Pizza: A tropical twist on pizza for your adventurous side, this infamous pizza has flavors that work both in theory and as toppings.
Topped with:- Ham
- Pineapple
- Bacon
- Mozzarella cheese
- Grandma’s White Pizza: The Feta adds a punch of flavor to this fresh pizza, pairing deliciously with tangy tomatoes, garlic, and chicken.
Topped with:- Feta cheese
- Mozzarella
- Chicken breast
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Tomatoes
- BBQ Chicken Pizza: This hardly needs an introduction- smoky BBQ sauce and juicy chicken breast? That’s it, that’s all we have to say.
Topped with:- Chicken breast
- Onions
- Mozzarella cheese
- BBQ sauce
- Original sauce
- California Greek White Pizza: Eating this pizza is considered one of the top 27 things to do before you die (for legal purposes, we’re only joking) but seriously, it is that good– it has three kinds of cheese for god’s sake!
Topped with:- Garlic
- Oregano
- Ricotta
- Feta
- Mozzarella cheeses
Some Tips for Great Toppings.
Toppings are where creativity truly comes into play, but balance is the key to perfection. Here’s our ideal blueprint:
Crunch: Add a layer of crispy, fresh vegetables for a refreshing crunch. For a subtler option, green onions provide a satisfying crunch without overpowering the other ingredients.
Sweetness: Sweetness adds contrast to savory flavors. Caramelized onions are a classic choice, offering a rich, buttery sweetness.
Acidity: Tangy elements like pickled jalapeños or a splash of balsamic glaze can enhance the flavor and cut through the pizza’s richness. Acidity ensures that no bite feels too heavy.
Creaminess: Creamy layers tie everything together. From classic mayo to BBQ sauce, these additions are addictive. For cheese lovers, options like feta, ricotta, and asiago are – chef’s kiss.
Sides that Steal the Show
We know that we said we were going to help you with toppings, but we couldn’t resist talking about appetizers- they’re almost like toppings- but on the side.
Greek fries are delicious, topped with spices and covered with a blanket of cheese. For something lighter, garlic bread, adorned with homemade oregano and garlic butter, pairs flawlessly with pizza.
In the mood for something even lighter? An Asiago spinach salad with fresh baby spinach, freshly sliced tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, and asiago cheese is healthy and tastes great.
Perfect Pairings: Combos to Try
Need some inspiration? Here are some combos that have been tried, tested, and loved by our customers:
- Regular cheese pizza with fresh garlic, black olives, pepperoni, and bacon, paired with classic fries and a regular Coke.
- Chicken bacon ranch deluxe pizza with original sauce, paired with ginger ale and mozzarella sticks.
- Hawaiian deluxe pizza with grilled pineapple, complemented by lemon iced tea to balance the sweetness, and a Greek salad on the side.
- Manny’s meat special pizza paired with regular Coke and garlic bread on the side.
A top-notch pizza is more than just its components. It’s about creating harmony among flavors, textures, and layers to build that perfect, satisfying bite.
At Manny and Olga’s Pizzas, we make sure to celebrate the art of pizza making, offering many different options for you to try. Order today and experience what we’re all about! And, we also offer a gluten-free crust variety so there’s no reason left not to try some of the best pizza in Washington.