Save Basketball Court Pizza with Free Throw Toppings 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.
This pizza recipe was a hit at our last family game night, making dinner as fun as the game itself.
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
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
- Roll Dough:
- 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.
- Spread Sauce:
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch (1 cm) border.
- Add Cheese:
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Arrange Court Lines:
- Using bell pepper strips, create the court boundaries and center line. Use yellow for outer lines and red for the center circle and key.
- Add Toppings:
- 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.
- Green Onion Details:
- Add green onions for additional court markings or grass-like effect on the edges.
- Bake:
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve:
- Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and slice into rectangles to serve.
Save This pizza became a favorite family tradition on game night, bringing fun and flavor together.
Required Tools
Rolling pin, baking sheet or pizza stone, parchment paper, sharp knife or pizza cutter
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), milk (dairy), and possibly soy depending on cheese or sauce. Pepperoni may contain pork and preservatives.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 370 calories, 13 g total fat, 45 g carbohydrates, 15 g protein
Save This fun pizza recipe makes every sports night memorable and delicious.
Recipe FAQs
- → How to shape the dough like a basketball court?
Roll the dough into a rectangle about 10 by 14 inches, resembling a basketball court. Use a floured surface to prevent sticking and transfer carefully to your baking sheet or stone.
- → What toppings create the court lines and markings?
Thin strips of red and yellow bell peppers form court boundaries and center lines. Corn kernels highlight free throw circles, while green onions add grassy edges.
- → Can I substitute toppings for dietary preferences?
Yes, you can replace pepperoni with cooked sausage or chicken or use dairy-free cheese for vegan adaptations without losing flavor or visual appeal.
- → What temperature and baking time works best?
Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese bubbles for optimal texture and flavor.
- → How can I add extra flavor to the finished dish?
Serving it with ranch or garlic dipping sauces enhances the taste and complements the toppings beautifully.
- → Is it better to use homemade or store-bought dough?
Either works well; store-bought dough offers convenience, while homemade provides a personalized touch and freshness.