Save to Pinterest A playful, crowd-pleasing pizza designed to look like a basketball court, complete with fun free throw topping shots. Perfect for sports parties or family nights.
I love serving this unique basketball court pizza at family game nights. It gets everyone excited to dig in and enjoy the creative toppings!
Ingredients
- Dough: 1 lb (450 g) pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- Sauce: 1/2 cup (120 ml) pizza sauce
- Cheese: 1 1/2 cups (150 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Toppings (for decoration and free throws): 8 slices pepperoni, 1/4 cup (40 g) pitted black olives, sliced, 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips, 1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips, 2 tbsp (15 g) green onions, thinly sliced, 1 tbsp (10 g) corn kernels (optional for court lines)
- Flour (for dusting): 2 tbsp (15 g) all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
- Step 2:
- On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle to resemble a basketball court (about 10x14 inches / 25x35 cm). Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or preheated stone.
- Step 3:
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch (1 cm) border.
- Step 4:
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Step 5:
- Using bell pepper strips, create the court boundaries and center line. Use yellow for outer lines and red for the center circle and key.
- Step 6:
- Arrange pepperoni slices as basketballs at each end of the court. Place sliced olives and corn kernels to mark free throw circles and three-point lines.
- Step 7:
- Add green onions for additional court markings or grass-like effect on the edges.
- Step 8:
- Bake for 12 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Step 9:
- Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and slice into rectangles to serve.
Save to Pinterest This pizza always brings the family together. Kids love decorating the court and sharing slices during game time.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with ranch or garlic dipping sauce for extra flavor during game nights.
Variations
For a meatier pizza, add cooked sausage or chicken alongside pepperoni. For vegan option, swap cheese for dairy-free alternatives.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven for best crust texture.
Save to Pinterest This basketball court pizza is a slam dunk for any party and sure to impress your guests with its creative look and delicious taste.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I create the basketball court design?
Roll the dough into a rectangular shape, then use sliced bell peppers to outline court boundaries and center lines. Pepperoni slices mark basketballs, while olives and corn kernels indicate free throw circles and three-point lines.
- → Can I make this pizza vegetarian?
Yes, use vegetarian cheese and omit pepperoni or replace it with plant-based alternatives to keep the dish vegetarian friendly.
- → What baking temperature is recommended?
Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and bake the pizza for 12–15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- → Are there any suggested ingredient substitutions?
For a meatier option, add cooked sausage or chicken instead of pepperoni. Dairy-free cheese can be used for a vegan-friendly variation.
- → What tools do I need to make this pizza?
A rolling pin, baking sheet or pizza stone, parchment paper, and a sharp knife or pizza cutter are ideal for preparation and serving.