Pin It 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 recipe always brings excitement to our family game nights. Everyone loves creating their mini basketball pizzas and enjoying the tasty toppings together.
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.
Pin It This pizza always sparks joy at family gatherings, especially when kids join in decorating the court lines and placing the toppings.
Notes
For a meatier version, add cooked sausage or chicken instead of or alongside pepperoni. Serve with ranch or garlic dipping sauce for extra flavor.
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.
Pin It Try this recipe for your next sports party to impress guests with a creative and delicious pizza experience.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I shape the dough like a basketball court?
Roll the dough into a large rectangle approximately 10x14 inches. Use bell pepper strips to mark boundaries and key court lines for an authentic look.
- → What toppings create the court markings?
Use red and yellow bell pepper strips for lines and center circle, pepperoni as basketballs, sliced olives and corn for free throw circles, and green onions for grass-like edges.
- → Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, either homemade or store-bought dough can be rolled and prepared ahead, then topped and baked when ready.
- → What oven temperature is best for baking?
Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and bake the assembled pie for 12–15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- → Are there vegetarian options for toppings?
Use vegetarian cheese and replace pepperoni with cooked sausage or omit meat altogether for a vegetarian-friendly version.
- → What tools do I need for making this dish?
A rolling pin, baking sheet or pizza stone, parchment paper, and a knife or pizza cutter are essential for preparation and serving.