A gourmet pizza party for 8 By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

Our make-ahead work schedule, wine pairings and sumptuous pizza recipes will make this an effortless night to remember.

A gourmet pizza party for 8

Clockwise left to right: Three-Cheese Spinach Pizza, Mushroom Fontina Pizza, Calabrese Potato Provolone Pizza, Grilled Eggplant and Fresh Mozzerella Pizza
Photography by Yvonne Duivenvoorden

See our favourite pizza pies (and recipe links) in the mouth-watering Photo gallery: Gourmet pizza slices.

Pizza is a hip and fun way to casually entertain friends on a Saturday night. Plus, it's the perfect palette for creativity. Start with trendy topping ideas, sauces and great homemade crusts (or pick up ready-made dough at the grocery store). Then add innovative salads, a make-your-own ice cream dessert and interesting wine to transform a dinner based on the humble pie into a night to remember.

Make-ahead schedule:
One day ahead: 
• Make pizza dough
• Make pizza sauce
• Make chocolate sauce for ice cream bar
• Make raspberry sauce for ice cream bar

Two hours ahead:
• Remove pizza dough from refrigerator; let rise at room temperature
• Slice potatoes; place in cold water and refrigerate
• Blanch spinach
• Broil eggplant
• Slice, shred and crumble cheese
• Prepare salad dressing
• Wash salad greens. Combine with cabbage and radishes in serving bowl; cover and refrigerate.

30 minutes ahead:
• Roll out pizza dough; fit into pans
• Chop sage and wash basil
• Mince garlic
• Arrange ingredients on tray

Just before serving:
• Arrange toppings and bake pizzas
• Toss salad
• Heat fudge sauce for ice cream bar

Wine pairings: For the red, try an Italian Valpolicella, a simple Chianti or an Ontario Cabernet Franc. For the white, a big fruity New World Californian or Australian Chardonnay would be popular.

Click here to watch our quick ice cream bar setup video - planning and serving tips plus healthy options for adults.

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