Homemade Pizza: Toppings, Calories, Recipes & Essential Accessories

Walking into an authentic Italian pizzeria can present the greatest culinary dilemma of the 21st century: “Which pizza do I choose?!” With menus often listing 40–50 varieties, it pays to know the classics—and how to recreate them at home. Below you’ll find the most common Italian toppings, surprising global twists, calorie breakdowns, recipe ideas, and must-have tools for perfect homemade pizza.

Classic Italian Pizza Toppings

Marinara: Tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, extra virgin olive oil
Margherita: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, extra virgin olive oil
Capricciosa: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, artichokes, Italian ham, black olives
Quattro Stagioni: Capricciosa ingredients, arranged in four quarters
Boscaiola (bianca): Mozzarella, mushrooms, Italian sausage
Ortolana/Vegetariana: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, grilled eggplant, zucchini, peppers
Primavera: Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, arugula, Italian ham, Grana Padano (added after baking)
Mare e Monti: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, shrimp, seafood, garlic, parsley

What Italians Never Put on Pizza

Bananas or pineapple
Chicken
Meatballs
Steak
Ketchup, mayonnaise, tzatziki, etc.
Any pasta
Any meat beyond cured Italian meats

Global Pizza Twists

Hawaiian (Canada): Ham & pineapple
Swedish Curry & Banana: Banana, ham, curry powder
German Tuna: Canned tuna, red onion, olives
Full English Breakfast: Sausages, mushrooms, bacon, baked beans
Scozzese Haggis: Scottish haggis, onion, oats
Chicago Deep Dish (USA): Thick crust, layers of cheese & chunky tomato sauce

Calorie Count: Margherita (30 cm)

Flour (180 g): 620 kcal
Mozzarella (150 g): 360 kcal
Tomato sauce (200 g): 50 kcal
Olive oil (10 g): 90 kcal
Total: 1 120 kcal

Two slices ≈ 280 kcal each. Control toppings & oil to keep portions sensible.

Essential Accessories for Homemade Pizza

Baking Stone (or terracotta): Heats evenly to mimic a pizza oven floor.
Refractory Ceramic Pizza Pan: Holds heat, drains moisture, and can go straight from oven to table.
Pizza Serving Board & Plates: Transfer pies off the hot stone into wooden or porcelain serveware.
Pizza Cutter/Wheel: Effortlessly slices through any crust—can substitute sharp kitchen shears.
Pizza Sauce Ladle: Measures and spreads exactly 145 ml of sauce for a 31 cm pizza.