Even though Easter is over, there is still a lot of food left over. If you’re hungry for something new, try this ham pizza!
Hi, everyone! My name is Kacey, and I’m here from my food blog, The Cookie Writer, to share something special with you that’s only for Andi’s readers. I’m so glad to be a contributor at The Weary Chef, and I hope you enjoy this lasagna as much as my family did.
After the holidays we often see a ton of leftover food. It’s no surprise, since everyone brings something to the table and makes enough of each thing for dinner! In our family, there is often a lot of ham left over. It is a cheap, versatile meat that speaks to many.
While I agree that ham tastes great in split pea soup, we wanted to take things a step further this time. Since I don’t eat meat, it was only my husband and daughter who were trying to eat a 6 5 lb ham themselves. After having the same meal for three days in a row, what was I going to do with the herb-crusted ham in the slow cooker? Well, friends, meet this easy ham pizza!
I like to make everything from scratch, even the sauce and dough, but I know that many people don’t have the time. Why is this recipe so great? You can use store-bought pizza sauce and dough, and all you have to do is slice up some ham, an onion, and mozzarella cheese. Talk about quick and easy!
You can easily get creative with your toppings. Our leftover ham pizza only had onions on it, but I think a mix of bell peppers and mushrooms would work great here. I basically use any vegetables that need to be used up in my fridge when I make pizza. Who doesn’t love a new way to use up leftovers?! Oh, and if you choose to use store-bought dough to save time, make sure to follow their directions (which shouldn’t be too different from what I have listed). “I wish I had a pizza stone,” she said. “But my pizza pan works great for pizza nights.”
A pizza loaded with savory ham is a true crowd-pleaser. The smoky salty meat is an instant flavor boost. But ham pizza can get boring fast without the right accompaniments to balance and enhance the ham. Luckily there are numerous delicious toppings that pair perfectly with ham.
Whether you prefer sweet spicy herby, or cheesy flavors, the options for customizing ham pizza are endless. Here are 13 irresistible toppings to take your ham pizza from basic to sensational.
Sweet and Tangy Pineapple
Pineapple is the classic pairing for ham pizza. When baked, the juice from the pineapple mingles with the ham to create a sweet and salty flavor combo. The fruit’s tangy tartness also cuts through the richness of the ham. For best results, use fresh pineapple chunks rather than canned. The juicy fruit adds fun tropical flair to ham pizza.
Smoky, Crispy Bacon
The smokiness of crispy bacon bacon bits plays off the savoriness of ham for an incredible flavor duo. Chopped bacon sprinkled on ham pizza adds crunch and tons of meaty, savory goodness. The combination of ham with bacon is pure pizza perfection.
Spicy Jalapeño Peppers
For those who like heat, fresh jalapeño slices add a nice kick to ham pizza. The subtle sweetness of the jalapeños balances beautifully with the salty pork flavors. For milder spice, try using sliced banana peppers instead. The charred peppers look beautiful atop ham pizza too.
Earthy Sautéed Mushrooms
Meaty mushrooms lend an umami flavor that further enhances the savoriness of ham pizza. Sautéed mushrooms also provide pleasant contrasting texture to silky ham. White or brown mushrooms work well, but you can also experiment with shiitakes or other exotic mushroom varieties.
Sweet Caramelized Onions
Scatter crispy caramelized onions over ham pizza for incredible depth of flavor. The browned onions have a pleasant natural sweetness that pairs divinely with salty ham. They also add appetizing textural variation with their crispy bits
Fresh Bell Peppers
For a pop of color and gentle sweetness, top ham pizza with thin strips of bell pepper. Red, yellow, orange and green peppers all make tasty garnishes. The fresh crunch of the raw peppers balances the softness of the other toppings.
Bitter Greens Like Spinach
Believe it or not, slightly bitter greens like spinach pair surprisingly well with savory ham pizza. The earthiness of the greens helps cut through the rich saltiness of the ham. Just be sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the greens before baking to prevent sogginess.
Artichoke Hearts forTexture
Flavorful marinated artichoke hearts are an unexpected but delicious ham pizza topping. Their subtle bitterness and firm texture offsets the unctuousness of ham. Drain canned or jarred artichoke hearts well before scattering them atop your pizza.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes for Savory-Sweetness
Chewy, umami-packed sun-dried tomatoes make an awesome match for ham’s saltiness. Used the tomatoes packed in olive oil for the best flavor. Their concentrated sweetness and acidity enhances the ham.
Herby Green Pesto Drizzle
Vibrant pesto sauce adds so much bright herby flavor when paired with savory ham pizza. Swirl pesto with regular tomato sauce or use as is. The basil, garlic, and Parmesan notes pair perfectly with the ham.
Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Sauce
For next-level ham pizza, drizzle on smoky, tangy barbecue sauce. The sweet tomato-based sauce complements and cuts through the ham’s saltiness. BBQ ham pizza is finger-licking good. Add pineapple for extra magic.
Creamy, Tart Goat Cheese
Crumble some soft goat cheese over ham pizza for delicious temperature and texture contrast. The creaminess and tanginess of the goat cheese beautifully offsets the warm, salty ham. Herbed goat cheese adds even more flavor.
Briny Black or Green Olives
Chopped or sliced black or green olives make a classic pizza pairing with ham. Their mild saltiness and brininess accentuates the pork flavors. The firm texture of olives also balances out the softness of melted cheese and ham.
With so many tasty toppings to choose from, the possibilities for ham pizza are infinite. Play around with different flavor and texture combinations to keep your ham pizzas exciting. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Modifications and Substitutions for Ham and Cheese Pizza
As with any pizza recipe, you can add any ingredients you like. Here are some of my favorite additional toppings along with some substitutions you can make.
- Pineapple—yes, it is a classic pairing. Some people don’t like it, but the sweet pineapple and salty ham go well together. Plus, it is inexpensive and canned.
- You can also add black olives, which come in a can, to your pizza.
- Jalapenos: I like pickled jalapenos, and I think they go really well with the ham and pineapple because they make a sweet, spicy, and salty mix.
- Sun-dried tomatoes are another simple and tasty topping that doesn’t need to be prepared ahead of time and can be kept in the fridge for months.
- Otherwise, you can use shredded mozzarella cheese or a pizza cheese mix made of shredded mozzarella, provolone, asiago, and parmesan instead of fresh mozzarella slices. If you need to or have extra, you can also use jack or cheddar cheese.
- You don’t have to use red pizza sauce. You can use white or cream sauce instead, or even olive oil, minced garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
Hawaiian Pizza Recipe – Pineapple and Ham Pizza!
FAQ
What pairs well with ham on pizza?
Is ham good on a pizza?
What are some good toppings for ham pizza?
Ham is rich in protein and its flavor, when mixed with cheese, is sublime. Ham pizza is popular due to its various garnish combinations. You might want to try a few of these delicious mixes with your ham pizza:
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
Is ham a suitable topping for pizza?
Ham is a suitable topping for pizza and is popular because of its rich protein content and flavor when mixed with cheese. Discover nine ingredients you can mix with your ham to get a new, delicious pizza taste. Whether you like a thin crust or a thick, chewy one, ham pizza is always tasty.
What goes well with ham & barbecue sauce on pizza?
The sweetness of the barbecue sauce will help to balance out the savory flavor of the ham, and the sauce will also add a bit of moisture to the pizza. If you’re looking for a bit of a kick, you could try a spicy barbecue sauce. Other toppings that go well with ham and barbecue sauce on pizza include onions, peppers, and pineapple.