Pizza - Moving Beyond Pepperoni

If you're a big fan of pizza, you have probably had more than your share of pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. But this venerable food doesn't have to be constrained to such a small box. While most restaurants offer a host of typical toppings (ham, ground beef, sausage, various vegetables, mushrooms, etc.), more than a few have gotten extremely creative with the ingredients they put on their pie. If you feel like you're ready to take your pie to the next level, you might want to try some of these unusual toppings next time you get a hankering for Italy's finest export.

BBQ

A popular treat, particularly in the southern U.S., BBQ pork can make a delicious topping if used the right way. Most people don't think of cheese and pork going together, but they fit together like peanut butter and jelly. One trick is to get creative with the sauce. Instead of using the usual tomato sauce, make a tangy barbeque sauce and you'll get an entirely new experience out of a familiar meal. You might even want to make a little extra for dipping your crust.

Hot Wings

There are more than a few restaurants serving both hot wings and pizza, but how many of them combine the two? The results might be better than you would expect. Chicken is already a popular topping, so the main difference here is the sauce. A good hot sauce (you may be able to handle something a tad spicier than you usually like because of the bread) can transform your meal into a red-hot, mouthwatering surprise. Instead of having breadsticks on the side, you can serve it up with blue cheese and celery.

Cheeseburger

Another alternative pizza topping gaining popularity is the combination of ground beef and cheddar. That's right, it's a cheeseburger pizza, combing two of America's favorite foods into one. If you've ever been unable to decide which you wanted for dinner, this can be a great way to avoid the choice altogether. If you're feeling adventurous, you can add bacon to the pie for an added dimension. Pickles, onions, and other toppings are delicious and can add to that cheeseburger feeling.

Breakfast

Tired of waiting until dinner to enjoy a nice slice of pizza? Apparently, you're not alone. Breakfast foods like sausage and eggs have become rather popular toppings. You can find some of these concoctions in the frozen food area of your grocery store, but you're far more likely to enjoy it if you make your own at home or find a good restaurant specializing in this new twist on breakfast.