Ive worked my share of shifts on pizza stations. It was one of my favorite things to make for staff meals after a long night of flipping pies.
A pizza bianca, or white pizza, doesn’t have tomato sauce. Instead, it has olive oil, Parmesan cheese, or a white sauce like this one. Alfredo pizza can be a synonym.
My favorite toppings were with thinly sliced prosciutto or speck ham, and mushrooms. Here I used frozen chicken of the woods mushrooms. Sometimes Id add fresh arugula on top after it was sliced and cooked.
Pizza night gets an upgrade when you top the comforting crust with savory, smoky ham. The salty cured pork provides a bold base flavor for other toppings. Ham’s versatility allows it to pair well with classics like cheese and pineapple. However, there are many more possibilities for delicious ham pizza combinations.
I’ve compiled 12 of my favorite toppings that complement ham’s flavor profile. Whether you want sweet, spicy, herby, or tangy flavors, there’s a topping here for every preference. Creating the perfect ham pizza is easy with ingredients you likely have on hand. Follow these recipes for a crowd-pleasing pie at your next pizza party.
Classic Favorites
Some pizza toppings have earned their iconic status for good reason These familiar flavors pair flawlessly with cured ham
Pineapple
This tropical fruit is the OG ham pairing. Pineapple’s sweet juiciness counters ham’s saltiness perfectly. The contrast makes both ingredients “pop”. If you like Hawaiian pizza, don’t leave the pineapple behind.
Mushrooms
Sautéed mushrooms add a meaty, umami flavor to pizza Like ham, they contain savory glutamates that enhance mouthfeel Mushrooms also supply a pleasant texture contrast to melted cheese and tender ham.
Caramelized Onions
Slow-cooked onions turn ultra sweet and jammy. Their deep, concentrated flavor balances ham’s salt and spice. Scatter the onions over ham and cheese for added intrigue.
Green Olives
Briny, tangy green olives cut through ham’s richness. Their slight bitterness plays well with cured meats. Finally, a pop of color from olives livens up an otherwise beige pie.
Spicy and Herby Flavors
Heat and herbs make ham pizza even more interesting. These potent flavors liven up the pork without overwhelming it.
Jalapeños
For moderate spice, use pickled jalapeño rings. If you want serious heat, go for raw sliced jalapeños. Either way, the peppers’ acidity and fire complement ham’s heartiness.
Banana Peppers
Mild banana peppers supply acid and gentle heat. They’re a bit fruitier than jalapeños, offering a nice change of pace. Banana peppers suit ham well in flavor and texture.
Oregano
This traditional pizza herb adds woodsy nuance to pork. Oregano concentrates beautifully under high oven heat. A dusting over ham pizza delivers an authentic Italian flair.
Fresh Basil
Herby basil brightens up rich ingredients like cheese and cured meat. Its cooling effect balances salty ham. For best results, tear whole basil leaves over pizza fresh out of the oven.
Savory Vegetables
In addition to fruit and herbs, vegetables lend great flavor and nutrition to ham pizza. Try these tasty produce toppers.
Bell Peppers
Choose red, yellow, or orange bell peppers for a splash of color and subtle sweetness. Their mild flavor accents ham without overwhelming it. Mix and match bell pepper hues for a pretty pie.
spinach
Fresh spinach helps cut through ham pizza’s richness. Wilted spinach has a pleasant texture among melted cheese and crispy pork. Plus, it packs this pie with vitamins and minerals.
Zucchini
Shredded or thinly sliced raw zucchini makes a refreshing addition. Once baked, it contributes a pale green hue along with traces of bitterness to balance the ham.
Artichoke Hearts
The soft interior and toothsome edges of marinated artichoke hearts pair delightfully with ham and cheese. Artichokes’ delicate flavor plays a supporting role to the bolder toppings.
Elevate Your Ham Pizza
Pizza night is way more exciting when you use ham as your protein launchpad. With cured pork as your base, the possibilities are endless for creative, craveable topping combinations. Try out some of these recipes for your tastiest ham pizza yet, then get creative with your own ingredient ideas.
Why This Recipe Works
Some people don’t have a wood-fired pizza oven, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make great pizza at home.
The secret to making restaurant quality pizza at home is to cook the crust twice.
I make simple pizza dough and roll it out into rounds or ovals, depending on how I’m feeling and what tools I have on hand. Then the dough is par-cooked on a grill, griddle or a pan.
Sometimes I make them in an oval shape, which is how I served them as an appetizer in my restaurants.
Once the base of the pizza is almost done, you add sauce and pizza toppings to it and put it right on the rack in the oven. Theres no need for a pizza stone, but you can use one if you like.
With a baking sheet or pan under the pizza, any cheese that drips off the crust will be caught.
Most wild mushrooms should not be put on a pizza without being cooked first.
Here I used mushrooms from my freezer that I sauteed quickly before adding to the pizza. If you haven’t used frozen mushrooms before, I explain how I do it in How to Freeze Wild Mushrooms.
