7 Pizza-Inspired Foods That Go Beyond the Slice

092816_Guy Fieri Nachos and Eddie Jackson Superbowl Party

Photo by: Charles Masters

Charles Masters

Here’s a tasty question: What does it take to “pizza-fy” a dish? Is it mozzarella or Parmesan? Tomato sauce or tomato paste? Basil or oregano? Going by the recipes gathered here, we’d say there’s more than one right way to get the job done. Read on to see our favorite ways to “pizza” everything.

Dough It Yourself

It can be pretty satisfying to roll and stretch pizza dough into its traditional pie shape — if you’re able to keep it from tearing or coming out lopsided. It’s easier and even more fun to work small.

With Eddie Jackson’s Bacon-Cheese Pizza Bombs (pictured above), pie slices give way to two-inch round “bombs,” which are brushed with herb oil before and after baking for maximum garlic bread flavor, and filled with mozzarella, tomato paste, basil leaves and bacon. Make these for any “bomb”-worthy gathering and serve fresh with warm marinara sauce.

If you want more sauce inside your hand-held bite, make Party Sausage Pizza Rolls. They’re stuffed with a tomato puree sauce, Italian cheese blend and Italian sausage. Vents sliced into the top expand during the baking process for a sauce-baring finish.

Food Nework Kitchen's Garbage Breads, Supreme Pizza Garbage Bread.

Food Nework Kitchen's Garbage Breads, Supreme Pizza Garbage Bread.

Photo by: Kate Mathis ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Kate Mathis, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

If you think bigger is better, keep the dough intact, stuff it with every pizza topping known to man, and roll it all up into a monster of a sandwich for Supreme Pizza Garbage Bread.

Photo by: Brian Kennedy ©(C) 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Brian Kennedy, (C) 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Comfort Food Fusion

The key to a good culinary mashup is balance, as in this Creamy Pizza Macaroni and Cheese. The recipe builds off the cheesy base in both comfort food dishes and ties in pizza flavors with marinara sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoni and a topping of Italian breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan.

As much as we love bread, our other favorite carb works pretty well as the base in French Fry Pizza. In this easiest of mashups from Food Network Magazine, shoestring fries are baked and served in a skillet with pizza sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan and pepperoni.

Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm
Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

PizzaTaco__00017.tif

Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop Stylist: Leslie Siegel

Photo by: Charles Masters

Charles Masters

If Taco Pizza works (and it most certainly does), why not Pizza Tacos? Build these tacos with a meaty filling of Italian sausage and pepperoni, pizza sauce (think salsa), fresh basil, mozzarella and ricotta cheese.

©copywrite_LucySchaefferPhotography

copywrite_LucySchaefferPhotography

Magical Pizza Powder

To really break down the essence of pizza, you might need a spice grinder. Use it to make the pizza spice blend in Pepperoni Pizza Popcorn. You’ll need: tomato paste (baked until it’s dry enough to grind into a powder), Parmesan, oregano and red pepper flakes. When the popcorn is ready, add some bite-sized pieces of pepperoni and sun-dried tomatoes for a total pizza package.

Next Up

7 Lucky Foods for Friday the 13th

Banish bad vibes with these lucky recipes from Food Network.

7 Healthy Pizzas You'll Want to Make on Repeat

With a few simple swaps, you can enjoy pizza night more often.

7 Best Food Processors of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We sliced, diced, shredded and blended to find the best one to suit your needs.

The Best 'Elf' the Movie-Inspired Products for Food Lovers

Celebrate the iconic film with these sweet treats this holiday season.

7 Foods to Include in a Weight Loss Diet

Don't waste your money on secret potions and potentially dangerous supplements to lose weight. Including these real foods in your diet is a safer way to lose weight.

7 Foods We Should Eat More of in 2023

From zero-proof drinks to convenient weeknight sheet pan recipes, here’s what dietitians hope we’ll all eat more of in 2023.

7 Foods We’d Never Think To Cover in Chocolate

From chocolate-covered whole jalapenos to pork rolls, these treats are definitely a little out there.