Tomorrow, you’ll be saying TGIF — or should we say, TGINPPD? It’s National Pizza Party Day, and it’s Friday! Which is obviously the only excuse you need to throw the best pizza party ever at your house tomorrow night. Don’t think you can pull off a party on such short notice? You can with our expert pizza party tips! Whether it’s a party of one or ten, we’ve got some dos and don’ts to keep your pies delicious and your get-together stress-free. Check ‘em out below.
Do make your own pizza dough.
When you make your own pizza dough, you gain flavor and save money. Seriously, it’s a win-win, especially when you use a super-simple, no-knead dough recipe that rises overnight like ours. If you’ve only got a few hours, the Internet is chock-full of no-knead, quick dough recipes that only take a few hours to rise. We like this one from The Kitchn. Really strapped for time? Stop by your favorite pizza shop, and ask if they’ll sell you some ready-to-go dough — it will be fresher than your grocery store’s offerings.
Do enlist the help of others.
Kids and adults alike can help put pizzas together, regardless of their cooking skills — chopping up toppings isn’t exactly rocket science. Divy up the preparation of toppings (don’t forget to grate your own cheese!) among folks old enough to handle a knife, and have younger kids help out sprinkling ingredients on top of sauced pies. You’ll be surprised how quickly your pizzas come together when everyone is working assembly line-style.
Do showcase seasonal ingredients.
One of the most wonderful things about pizza is that it can act as a vehicle for whatever delicious meat or veggie (or artisanal cheese!) you’re craving at the moment. Tender shoots of baby kale bursting forth from your garden? Put ‘em on a pizza! Crisp asparagus? You bet. Get creative, and your stomach will thank you!
Don’t overload your pizza with toppings.
Once you start brainstorm pizza toppings, it’s easy to get carried away — but don’t! Too many toppings can weigh down your pizza and confuse your palate. Think of a pizza like a cheeseplate: you want enough components to provide some contrast, but not so many that you’ll become overwhelmed. Aim for 2-4 toppings, not including sauce and cheese.
Don’t feel limited to red sauce and cheese.
There’s a reason margherita pizza is so ubiquitous — it’s classic and absolutely delicious. That said, don’t feel like your pizza must include red sauce, or even mozzarella. Mix things up with non-melting cheeses like feta or blue, and garlic and oil is an equally lovely pizza base as marinara.
Don’t forget the drinks!
What’s a party without some imbibing? While spirited cocktails have their time and place, pizza’s ideal drinking partner is inarguably a cold, crisp beer. Lighter-bodied styles are best, since they pair well with the mild cheeses typically used on pizza. Beer’s bubbles cleanse your palate of grease and any spice (red pepper flakes, anyone?), readying you time and time again for another bite. If you have some beer-haters or gluten-intolerant guests, sparkling white wine or hard apple cider works in a pinch.
Ready to get your pizza party on? Browse all things pizza for recipe inspiration!
Rebecca Haley-Park
Rebecca Haley-Park is culture's former editor and resident stinky cheese cheerleader. A native New Englander, she holds a BFA in creative writing from University of Maine at Farmington.
