Say Cheese! 17 Tasty Homemade Pizza Recipes

When it comes to simple cooking ideas that the kids can get involved in too, you simply can't beat pizza.

Easy, cheesy and enjoyed by even the fussiest of eaters, there are so many varieties of pizza that once you've mastered making the base, you'll never have to worry about making dinner time exciting again! These ideas are great to make with kids of all ages, and you can pick and choose toppings to suit your family's needs. We've also included some great vegan and vegetarian options, as well as a couple of wild cards if you're feeling like a change.

Top Tip: Why not follow our guide to create your very own at-home restaurant where you can serve your pizza creations?

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Whether you choose to use store-bought bases or not, pizza is always guaranteed to put the kids in a good mood. If you do choose to make your own homemade pizza dough from scratch, this surprisingly easy recipe only requires a few ingredients and doesn't take hours:

Once you've got your dough all sorted, it's time to make the toppings! We have ideas that will appeal to every palette, and might even help sneak in a few vegetables here and there too. We recommend you use a simple tomato sauce base for most of these ideas, then add whatever toppings you like.

For the tomato sauce: Sautée two crushed garlic cloves in olive oil. When golden, add a tin of chopped tomatoes, and a tablespoon of tomato purée. Bring to the boil and simmer for about half an hour. Add some dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Blitz with a hand blender to make the sauce extra smooth.

Pizza is the ultimate meal for cheese-lovers everywhere, so here are some ideas of great topping combos that will take your pizza game to new levels.

Quattro Formaggi: This Italian classic translates as 'four cheeses', and traditionally uses mozzarella, parmesan, gorgonzola and a soft cheese like ricotta. Sprinkle as much of each cheese as you like over a tomato base and cook.

Double Cheese: Shred some mozzarella with your hands, and sprinkle over the pizza with some grated cheddar for a stringy cheesy treat!

Tuna Melt Pizza: Ultra cheesy and packed with protein, this recipe is made with simple canned tuna. Sprinkle a can's worth of drained tuna over a tomato base, add some thinly sliced red onion and throw on your mozzarella. This recipe can be easily adapted to taste equally good when made on a baguette, flatbread or anything else you have to hand!

Aubergine Parmigiana Pizza: For this great Italian recipe, spread some tomato sauce on your dough and add some aubergine on top (thinly sliced into circles). Cover with shaved parmesan and bake.

These easy vegetarian toppings are not only delicious, but are also a really good way to sneak some vegetables into the diet of kids who are a little fussy. These pizzas are so simple to make, and will help boost your five-a-day intake! For more ways to smuggle more veg into your everyday meals, check out our guide.

Top Tip: When preparing your pizzas, chop your veg into finely sliced chunks to make them easier to conceal.

Ricotta and Veg: To make this white pizza recipe, spread ricotta on top of your dough base instead of tomato sauce, and top with roasted vegetables such as sliced red onion, roasted red pepper, mushrooms and olives.

Mediterranean Pizza: On top of a tomato base, add halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, and some chopped artichoke hearts. Add a good handful of mozzarella, and some goats cheese if you like!

Veggie Breakfast Pizza: Kids will love this breakfast-for-dinner pizza idea. Top your pizza with sliced mushrooms and fresh rocket, then cook for 10-12 minutes. Add freshly fried eggs on top and some salt and pepper.

'Eat Your Greens' Pesto Pizza: The greenest pizza of all! If your kids love the taste of basil, use pre made pesto as the base of your pizza. Top with cooked broccoli, sliced green bell pepper, spring onions and green chilli if you like a kick. Add mozzarella, bake and enjoy!

Rainbow Pizza: Perfect for toddlers, this easy pizza just requires different coloured chopped up bell peppers. First of all, make half-portions of your dough so you can make a mini pizza, one per child. Then, simply arrange the pepper chunks into a 'rainbow' shape in the colour order red, yellow, green. Add mozzarella on top and cook.

Whether you're a free spirit, want to treat the kids to something new or just fancy a change, these recipes are filled with exciting toppings and flavour combos. While they're easy to put together, these pizzas do not scrimp on taste!

Caramelised Onion And Goat's Cheese Pizza: It may sound fancy, but this meal is super easy, and you can get other things done in the time it takes the onion to cook down. Simply cook sliced red onion in olive oil on medium heat, for about 20-30 minutes, until it goes brown and sticky. Spread this on top of your dough and tomato base, and sprinkle on some goat's cheese. Bake, and enjoy the sweet, tangy, cheesy flavours!

Easy Cheeseburger Pizza: Kids may like pizzas, but they LOVE cheeseburgers. Combine the two using this recipe and you're likely to get a good review! Cook 300g of lean beef mince with a chopped onion and two minced garlic cloves. When completely browned, sprinkle the beef mixture over a tomato base, and add grated cheddar cheese and mozzarella. Bake and sprinkle a little pepper and chilli on top.

A Pirate's Dinner: Ahoy! This fun and easy recipe doesn't take much time, and is definitely one for seafood lovers! Add cooked prawns and mussels on top of your base (other fish options are squid, anchovies and cod). Add sliced spring onion and mozzarella, and enjoy the taste of the ocean!

Make Your Own Monster Face Pizza: Little ones will have the best time making these monster face pizzas! Simply prepare a base, and set aside bowls of pre-prepared ingredients for the kids to add to make their 'monster faces'. Chopped peppers, sliced olives, onion, mini mozzarella balls, chopped courgette and aubergine are some great ideas to get started with.

Whether you're vegan or not, these delicious recipe ideas are bound to give some great inspiration for your homemade pizza extravaganza! This simple recipe will show you how to make an easy no-knead vegan dough.

Vegan Quattro Stagioni: This traditional classic will get the veggies in, and tastes divine. On to each quarter of your pizza base, add artichokes, sliced tomatoes, mushrooms and sliced olives. Then top with shredded vegan cheese, or just a drizzle of olive oil, and bake!

BBQ Party: For this party favourite, spread barbecue sauce on your base, then throw on your favourite toppings! We love red peppers, sliced onion, and mushrooms.

Tasty Taco Pizza: To make this easy 'taco' pizza, sprinkle on any vegan mincemeat to your base. Top with cheese, refried beans, tomato, chopped red peppers, jalapenos and coriander. Once cooked, squeeze on a little lime and maybe get some avocado involved too, slicing and placing it on top.

Spinach & Artichoke: A well-loved combination and always full of flavour. First, drain some artichoke hearts from a jar and flake them over your base. Add some spinach (and vegan cheese if you like). Then, once cooked, add a drizzle of olive oil, shredded basil and freshly cracked pepper.