8 Simple Pizza Toppings ...

1. Arugula, Cheese and Tomato

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan then add 2 crushed garlic cloves. Fry gently for 2 minutes. Drain a 14oz can of plum tomatoes and add to the frying pan. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper then cook until thickened, squashing down the tomatoes with a fork. Let cool and spread over the pizza bases and top with sliced mozzarella. To serve, scatter over 2 large handfuls of arugula and 1 large handful of parmesan shavings (or to your taste)

2. Sausage and Red Onion

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan. Add 1 large thinly sliced red onion and 2 sliced garlic cloves. Fry for about 5 minutes, until soft. Season ½ cup passata with a pinch of sugar, salt and freshly ground pepper. Spread the sauce over the pizza bases, leaving a border around the edge. Top with the onions and garlic. Thinly slice 2 sausages (any flavour ); grate 2oz cheese. Place the sliced sausage on top of the onions and scatter over the grated cheese. Bake and enjoy.

3. Spicy Beef

Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a frying pan. Add ½ lb lean ground chuck together with a pinch of red pepper flakes and fry until cooked through. Spread the pizza bases with 6 tablespoons of passata. Slice 4 scallions finely. Dice 2 large tomatoes. Grate 2oz cheddar or other hard cheese. Sprinkle each pizza base with half of the cooked beef. Add the sliced scallions and diced tomatoes. You may also add a few slices of jalapeño peppers. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and bake following pack instructions.

4. Ham and Ricotta

Spread 2 tablespoons of passata on each pizza base. Bake following pack instructions.

Roughly tear 2 slices ham. Five minutes before the cooking time is up, sprinkle pizza bases with ham. Dot half an 8oz carton of ricotta on top in spoonfuls. Continue cooking.

Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and drizzle 1 tablespoon pesto over each pizza before serving.

5. Salami, Bell Pepper and Feta Cheese

Spread ½ cup passata over the pizza bases leaving a border around the edge. Slice 3 red bell peppers from a jar. Arrange 3oz sliced salami and sliced bell peppers over the passata.

Crumble 8oz feta and scatter over both pizza bases. Bake following pack instructions.

6. Pesto with Artichokes and Prosciutto

Spread 4 tablespoons of green pesto over the pizza bases. Drain a small jar of artichokes and divide between the 2 bases. Place 3 slices of prosciutto on top. The ham usually tears as you remove it from the packaging which is what you want. Slice 1 ball of mozzarella and divide between the 2 bases. Sprinkle both with grated parmesan. Season with freshly ground black pepper then drizzle with a little olive oil and bake following pack instructions.

7. Zucchini and Mozzarella

Drain an 8oz can of chopped tomatoes. Spread the drained tomatoes over the 2 pizza bases. Take 2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes and halve. Thinly slice 2 zucchini (green or yellow).Arrange tomatoes and zucchini on pizza bases and scatter with a torn ball of mozzarella. Chop a handful of green olives. Finely chop 2 cloves of garlic.Mix together the olives, garlic together with 2 teaspoons capers and scatter over the top of the pizza bases. Drizzle with olive oil then bake following the pack instructions. When cooked, scatter with a couple of handfuls of chopped parsley and serve.

8. Bianco

Finely slice 1 large onion. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a frying and add onion. Cook for about 5 minutes until soft. Add 2 crushed cloves of garlic and 1 teaspoon of chopped rosemary. Cook for a further 2 minutes. Lay 4oz sliced mozzarella on the pizza bases together with the onion mix. Peel and thinly slice 2 potatoes. Lay the potato slices over the pizzas and sprinkle with another teaspoon of chopped rosemary. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Bake following pack instructions.

Well girls, I hope I’ve given you some simple pizza toppings you think are worth trying or even inspired you to come up with your own. Try experimenting with your family’s favourite ingredients. Sometimes it’s surprising what tastes good on a pizza – except of course, leave the peanut butter and jelly to the sandwich!

Top Photo Credit: svacher