Family pizza night

On weekends, holidays or whenever the mood strikes, gathering in the kitchen to make pizza is a wonderful way to spend quality time together. And it doesn't need to be time-consuming; in fact, freshly baked pizza can be a busy weeknight supper solution. Sure, delivery is convenient, but you can make it more economically – and better! Here’s how.

First off, the golden rule of pizza: don't overload the base. A little goes a long way, and a light hand with the sauce and just a few well-chosen toppings are all you need to make your pizza shine. Imagine the wonderfully satisfying taste of thinly stretched dough spread with zesty herbed tomato sauce and sprinkled with shredded Canadian Mozzarella, then baked to bubbly golden perfection. It's a marvel of delicious simplicity.

Speaking of cheese, branch out. Semi-soft cheeses, such as Canadian Mozzarella, are classics on pizza for a reason. But give some others a try.

Finely grated hard cheeses, such as Canadian Parmesan, add deep, complex flavour to any pizza. Shredded firm cheeses (such as Canadian Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Brick) and soft cheeses (such as crumbled Canadian Feta) each add their own distinct personality – and all of them melt beautifully.

Now for the "base-ics". Like the cheese, pizza bases can come in many forms.
While it's relatively easy to make dough from scratch, it does take a bit of time. The solution? Most grocery stores have ready-made pizza dough in the deli, bakery or freezer section. Count on about 1 lb (500 g) of dough for each large pizza. Just roll thinly and top accordingly. For fun, let each person customize his or her own section of the pizza or, easier still, divide the dough into smaller pieces, then stretch or roll it thinly into whatever shape you like before topping. Other great options: pre-baked pizza bases, pitas (pocketless ones are fabulous), tortillas, naan bread or focaccia.

When it comes to meaty toppings, pepperoni is a classic (and for very good reason), but it's far from your only option. For meat lovers, try shaved or thinly sliced deli meat, including ham or smoked turkey, prosciutto, salami or kielbasa. Or check your fridge -- chances are you have something quick and easy to add to the mix. Thinly slice last night's grilled steak, crumble leftover bacon from breakfast or cube some cooked chicken or pork (it's even better tossed with a bit of barbecue sauce).

Page 1 of 2 – Get more mouth-watering homemade piza topping ideas on page 2.