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.
This recipe always brings laughter and excitement when serving friends and family, making pizza night extra special.
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.
- Prepare 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.
- Add 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.
- Create 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.
- Arrange 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.
- Add Green Onions:
- 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.
- Serve:
- Remove from oven , let cool slightly , and slice into rectangles to serve.
Save Our family loves gathering around this fun pizza , sharing stories and rooting for their favorite teams as they enjoy each slice.
Notes
For a meatier version , add cooked sausage or chicken instead of (or alongside) pepperoni. Use pre-made dough for convenience . Serve with ranch or garlic dipping sauce for extra flavor . Try using dairy-free cheese for a vegan option.
Required Tools
Rolling pin , baking sheet or pizza stone , parchment paper , sharp knife or pizza cutter.
Allergen Information
Contains: Wheat (gluten) , Milk (dairy) , possible soy (check cheese or sauce labels). Pepperoni may contain pork and preservatives. Always double-check ingredient labels for allergens.
Save Enjoy crafting this playful pizza that brings fun and flavor to your table every time.
Common recipe questions
- → How do I shape the dough for the basketball court effect?
Roll the dough into a roughly 10x14 inch rectangle to resemble the court's shape before adding toppings.
- → What ingredients create the court lines and markings?
Sliced red and yellow bell peppers form the boundary lines and center circle, while corn kernels add detail like free throw lines.
- → Can I customize the toppings for dietary preferences?
Yes, you can swap pepperoni for cooked sausage or chicken, and use dairy-free cheese for vegan options.
- → What baking equipment is recommended?
Use a baking sheet or pizza stone preheated at 475°F to achieve a crisp, golden crust.
- → How long should the pizza bake?
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the crust turns golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.