Save 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 enjoyed making this pizza with my family; it brought out everyone's creativity in decorating the court.
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 This pizza always sparks great conversation and fun family moments during game nights.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with ranch or garlic dipping sauce to complement the flavors and add a tasty twist.
Variations
For a meatier version, add cooked sausage or chicken instead of or alongside pepperoni.
Storage
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven to keep the crust crispy.
Save This unique pizza is sure to impress guests and brighten any sporting event gathering.
Recipe FAQs
- → How to shape the dough like a basketball court?
Roll the dough into a rectangle about 10x14 inches, then use bell pepper strips to mark court lines and sections before baking.
- → What toppings represent the basketball court features?
Bell peppers form the court lines, pepperoni slices act as basketballs, olives and corn mark free throw circles, and green onions add grass-like effects.
- → Can I substitute pepperoni for other proteins?
Yes, cooked sausage or chicken can be used as alternatives for a meatier option without changing the theme.
- → Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian or vegan?
Using vegetarian cheese makes it vegetarian, while dairy-free alternatives help create a vegan-friendly version.
- → What cooking tools are recommended for this preparation?
A rolling pin, baking sheet or pizza stone, parchment paper, and a sharp knife or pizza cutter are recommended for shaping and baking.