Personal Pan Pizzas: The Perfect Pairing

Personal pan pizzas are typically 6-inch or 7-inch in diameter, making them perfect for one person. They usually contain four to six slices and take around 8 to 10 minutes to cook.

If you're making two personal pan pizzas, you can serve them with a variety of sides or toppings. Here are some ideas:

- Vegetables: Mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomatoes, or olives

- Meats: Sausage, pepperoni, or ham

- Cheeses: Freshly grated mozzarella, Parmesan, or cheddar cheese

- Dipping sauces: Ranch dressing, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce

- Salads: A fresh side salad or a Caesar salad

- Breads: Garlic bread or breadsticks

- Drinks: Beer, wine, or soft drinks

Salads

A light and refreshing salad is a great way to balance the heavier flavours of pizza. Opt for a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette, or get creative with chopped vegetables, fruits and cheeses.

• Arugula, Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with Warm Vinaigrette: This salad has big, strong flavours—bitter, sweet, salty and pungent—and yet it’s extremely simple to put together.
• Flaky Spring Salad with Dill Dressing: This salad is blended with dill, sprinkled with celery, sliced romaine and sugar snap peas, making the salad crunchy and fresh. It can be made in advance and stored in the fridge without losing its crunchiness.
• Green Salad with Oranges, Avocado and Red Onion: This salad is a winning combination due to the way the flavours work together, and also how beautiful the orange, purple and green look on the plate.
• Classic Family-Style Caesar Salad: This salad is a classic pairing with pizza. It's high in protein and kid-friendly, and can be made ahead of time.
• Greek Wedge Salad: This salad has all the crunch of a classic wedge but swaps bacon and blue cheese for lighter, Mediterranean ingredients, leaving more room for pizza.
• Beetroot Carpaccio with Burrata: This salad can be served as a main or side dish. Beetroots are blended with burrata, bringing a delicious, refreshing taste to this salad, which is also high in vitamin C.
• Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing: This modern twist on the traditional broccoli salad uses a vegan sauce made from almond butter and orange juice instead of mayonnaise.

Breads

Bread is a great side to eat with pizza, especially if you are looking for something to dip into the extra sauce or cheese. Here are some bread options to eat with your two personal pan pizzas:

Garlic Bread

A classic side to any pizza, garlic bread is a great option to eat with your personal pan pizza. You can make this by rubbing garlic over the top of some fried bread dough, or you can bake it in the oven. If you want to make it extra special, you can add some cinnamon sugar or spread some chocolate hazelnut spread on top.

Pan Bread

If you want something a little more filling, you can make a thicker, bread-like version of pizza pan bread. This is a great option if you are looking for something to dip into your extra sauce or cheese. You can make this by doubling the amount of flour and egg in your pizza dough and adding some herbs.

Focaccia

Focaccia is a type of Italian bread that is similar to pizza dough. It is usually thicker and chewier than other types of bread, and it is often topped with olives, tomatoes, or herbs. Focaccia can be a great side to your personal pan pizza, especially if you are looking for something with a little more substance.

Sandwich Bread

If you are looking for something simple to eat with your pizza, you can toast some sandwich bread and top it with your favourite ingredients. This is a great option if you want something quick and easy to make.

Appetisers

Soup

Soup is an excellent appetiser, no matter the main course. For something light, opt for a refreshing tomato soup or a cold soup like gazpacho. For something more hearty, try a cream of mushroom soup or ratatouille.

Bruschetta Bar

Create an Italian Bruschetta Bar with toasted bread rubbed with garlic, topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. You could also provide a variety of toppings like homemade pesto, roasted red peppers, and yellow cherry tomatoes.

Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad is a healthy side that adds a crunchy contrast to pizza. Chop romaine lettuce into small pieces and coat it with a homemade Caesar dressing, adding crispy, garlicky croutons.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Combine cream cheese, mayo, basil, garlic, spinach, parmesan, mozzarella, and artichoke hearts for a rich and cheesy dip. Spread it on top of your pizza for added flavour or use it as a dip for breadsticks.

Potato Salad

Boil small red potatoes and coat them in a dressing made from sour cream, mayo, chopped red onion, fresh dill, and garlic salt. This is a filling side that's perfect for a hungry crowd.

Garlic Cheese Bread

Saute garlic cloves in olive oil and mash them into a spreadable paste. Spread the paste on your favourite bread, top with shredded cheese, and bake until the cheese melts.

Desserts

When it comes to dessert, it's all about personal preference and the type of pizza you've just enjoyed. If you're looking for something light and refreshing, sorbet is a fantastic option. It's less rich and creamy than ice cream, but it still hits the spot. Opt for fruity flavours like pineapple, lemon, or berries to really refresh your palate after a heavy meal.

If you're a fan of ice cream, why not try affogato? This Italian dessert combines vanilla ice cream (or gelato) with a shot of hot espresso. The contrast of temperatures and flavours is a delightful way to end your meal. Or, keep it simple with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or peppermint ice cream—a classic pairing that never goes out of style.

For those who want to continue the pizza party, dessert pizzas are a fun option. These sweet treats feature a cookie dough, pie shell, or cinnamon roll base topped with cream cheese, nut butter, marshmallow, chocolate sauce, or frosting. You can also stick to a theme, like s'mores or peanut butter and chocolate.

If you're craving something fruity, a mixed berry parfait, fruit tart, or berries and cream crepes are elegant and delicious choices. For something simpler, a colourful fruit salad or grilled peaches with vanilla ice cream are perfect.

Chocolate lovers won't be able to resist chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, or rich and indulgent brownies. For a twist on the classic, try a flourless chocolate cake drizzled with fudge or topped with berries.

If you're feeling adventurous, churros, baby Dutch pancakes, or cannoli (crispy Italian pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta cheese and chocolate chips or candied fruit) are unique and tasty options.

And let's not forget the classics: cheesecake, apple pie, and tiramisu (layers of ladyfingers soaked in espresso and a creamy mascarpone filling) are always crowd-pleasers.

So, whether you're craving something sweet, fruity, or indulgent, there's a dessert pairing that's perfect for you!

Drinks

When it comes to drinks to accompany two personal pan pizzas, there are several options to consider. The classic choice is often beer, and with good reason. The carbonation and bitterness of beer provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy goodness of pizza. Whether you go for a well-known brand, a local craft brew, or even a home-brewed batch, beer is a versatile option that can be tailored to your taste preferences.

For wine enthusiasts, the right wine can elevate the pizza-eating experience. If you're a fan of plain cheese or white pizzas, a sweet white wine can beautifully complement the acidity of the tomato sauce and the richness of the cheese. On the other hand, if your pizza is loaded with savoury meats, a fruity red wine can stand up to those bold flavours. The old Italian saying, "If it grows together, it goes together," suggests that the wines of Campania, the ancestral homeland of pizza, might be the perfect match.

For those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, there are plenty of options to explore. Soda, with its fizziness and sweetness, is a classic pairing that evokes nostalgia for childhood pizza parties. Root beer, in particular, has a loyal following among pizza aficionados. If you're looking for something less sugary, sparkling water offers a refreshing alternative, and you can always add a squeeze of lemon or lime for a unique twist.

Lemonade is another refreshing choice, providing a balance of sweet and sour flavours that can be especially delightful with a hot slice of pizza. Iced tea, whether sweetened or unsweetened, is also a popular option, especially during the summer months. It pairs well with the warmth of the pizza and can be customised to your taste.

Frequently asked questions