Top 10 Pizza Toppings You Must Try

Pizza is a canvas for culinary creativity, and the toppings you choose can transform a simple dish into an extraordinary experience. At Salvatore Pizza, we've been experimenting with ingredients for decades, and we're excited to share our list of must-try pizza toppings that will elevate your pizza game.

From traditional Italian favorites to innovative California-inspired combinations, these toppings represent the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and visual appeal.

1. San Marzano Tomatoes

The foundation of any great pizza begins with the sauce. San Marzano tomatoes, grown in the volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius in Italy, offer a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity that commercial alternatives simply can't match.

These elongated, deep red tomatoes contain fewer seeds and more flesh than regular varieties, resulting in a smoother, richer sauce. At Salvatore Pizza, we import genuine San Marzano tomatoes from Italy for our signature sauce, crushing them by hand rather than blending to preserve their texture.

2. Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella

While pre-shredded mozzarella has its place, nothing compares to the creamy, delicate flavor of fresh buffalo mozzarella. This traditional Italian cheese is made from the milk of water buffaloes and has a higher moisture content than cow's milk varieties.

When baked, fresh buffalo mozzarella doesn't completely melt but instead becomes soft and creamy, creating distinct milky pools on your pizza. The subtle tanginess and rich dairy flavor elevate even the simplest Margherita pizza to gourmet status.

3. Prosciutto di Parma

Thinly sliced, dry-cured Italian ham known as prosciutto di Parma is a game-changer for pizza toppings. Unlike regular ham, prosciutto is typically added to pizza after baking to preserve its delicate texture and prevent it from becoming tough or overly salty.

The magic happens when the residual heat from the pizza slightly warms the prosciutto, releasing its complex flavors and aroma. Try pairing it with arugula, fig, or melon for a perfect sweet-salty-peppery combination that will transport you straight to Italy.

4. Wild Mushrooms

Forget the canned button mushrooms of pizza chains past—wild mushrooms like porcini, chanterelle, or shiitake bring earthy, umami-rich flavors that transform any pizza. Each variety offers its own unique taste profile, from the robust, meaty flavor of porcini to the delicate, apricot-like notes of chanterelles.

For the best results, sauté wild mushrooms briefly with a touch of garlic and thyme before adding them to your pizza. This pre-cooking step enhances their flavor and removes excess moisture, preventing a soggy crust.

5. Calabrian Chili

For heat-seekers, Calabrian chilies are the perfect pizza topping. These small, red peppers from southern Italy pack a punch of spice balanced by a fruity, smoky flavor that commercial red pepper flakes simply can't match.

Available in various forms—from whole peppers to pastes and oils—Calabrian chilies add complexity rather than just heat. A light drizzle of Calabrian chili oil over a finished pizza adds a sophisticated spiciness that complements rather than overwhelms other toppings.

6. Burrata

If you love fresh mozzarella, prepare to be amazed by burrata. This indulgent cheese features an outer shell of solid mozzarella with a creamy, stracciatella and cream filling that creates an incredible textural contrast.

Like prosciutto, burrata is best added to pizza after baking. The residual heat will slightly warm the cheese, causing the creamy center to melt and create a luxurious sauce that coats each bite. Pair it with simple toppings like cherry tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil to let its flavor shine.

7. Truffle (Oil, Honey, or Fresh)

Few ingredients can elevate a pizza to gourmet status faster than truffle. Whether used as an infused oil, honey, or (for the truly indulgent) freshly shaved, truffles bring an earthy, aromatic quality that transforms even simple pizzas into special-occasion meals.

For an approachable introduction to truffle flavor, try a drizzle of truffle honey over a pizza topped with salty elements like prosciutto or gorgonzola. The sweet-savory-earthy combination is unforgettable and has become one of our most requested flavor profiles at Salvatore Pizza.

8. Nduja

This spreadable spicy Calabrian sausage is pizza's best-kept secret. Nduja (pronounced "en-DOO-ya") is made from pork and a generous amount of Calabrian chilies, creating a spicy, smoky paste that melts into the pizza as it cooks.

Unlike traditional sausage toppings that sit on top of the pizza, nduja integrates with the other ingredients, infusing every bite with complex flavors. A little goes a long way—small dollops scattered across your pizza will create pockets of spicy goodness that enhance rather than dominate.

9. California-Style Ingredients

Living in California has inspired us to experiment with local, seasonal ingredients that wouldn't be found on traditional Italian pizzas. Avocado, fresh corn, dates, and even citrus have found their way onto our specialty pizzas with delicious results.

One of our favorite California-inspired combinations features fresh corn, goat cheese, and a drizzle of hot honey—the sweetness of the corn plays perfectly against the tangy cheese and spicy-sweet honey for a pizza that represents the best of East Coast tradition and West Coast innovation.

10. High-Quality Olive Oil

Sometimes the simplest ingredients make the biggest impact. A finishing drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil just before serving adds a fresh, peppery flavor that brightens all the other toppings and provides a beautiful sheen.

Not all olive oils are created equal—look for cold-pressed, single-origin varieties with a harvest date on the bottle. The color should be vibrant green, and the flavor should have notes of fresh grass, artichoke, or green apple with a peppery finish that catches at the back of your throat.

Creating Your Perfect Topping Combination

While each of these toppings is exceptional on its own, the true art of pizza-making lies in combining ingredients that complement and enhance each other. Here are some of our favorite combinations from the Salvatore Pizza menu:

• The Classic Upgrade: San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh buffalo mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil
• The Sophisticated: White base (no sauce), wild mushrooms, fontina cheese, truffle honey, and fresh thyme
• The Heat Seeker: San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, nduja, Calabrian chilies, and honey
• The California: White base, fresh corn, goat cheese, prosciutto (added after baking), arugula, and hot honey
• The Indulgent: San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and burrata (added after baking)

The Art of Restraint

Finally, remember that with pizza toppings, more isn't always better. The best pizzas maintain a balance where each ingredient can be appreciated without overwhelming the others. We recommend limiting yourself to 3-5 toppings per pizza, ensuring that each component serves a purpose in the overall flavor profile.

At Salvatore Pizza, we believe that quality ingredients, thoughtfully combined, create memorable dining experiences. We invite you to visit us and explore these exceptional toppings on our menu, or use this guide to inspire your next homemade pizza adventure.

What are your favorite pizza toppings? Let us know in the comments below, or tag us on social media with your pizza creations!