Homemade Pizza School

Updated: June 19, 2022

Reading Time: 4 Minutes

Why You Should Make Homemade Pizza for Dad on Father’s Day

It’s almost Father’s Day and time to show appreciation for the fathers in your life. At this time of year, we celebrate fathers, stepfathers, father figures, and the people in our lives that have shared their fatherly advice.

Fathers and other adult male role models are an important part of growing up and learning about the ways the world works. And being a strong masculine example in someone’s life is a special position that can change lives.

We definitely want to celebrate all versions of fathers this Father’s Day with homemade pizza for dad. Find another place for the kiddos, and you could even make it a romantic night for two.

homemade pizza for dad and family
Photo by Klara Kulikova on Unsplash

Homemade pizza is a wonderful way to show you care. Dad doesn’t need another tie, another book on golf, or another T-shirt. Instead, show your love and appreciation by making a delicious homemade pizza for dad instead.

We rounded up four of our favorite dad-inspired pizzas to make this Father’s Day. They are simple and highlight a different style of dads. We have BBQ pizza, a Meat Lover’s, a Healthy pizza, and Gourmet style pizza.

So whether your dad is a fan of BBQ, is focused on his health, or loves to try specialty gourmet pizzas, we have you covered. All of these recipes are for two 12-inch pizzas. Use your favorite pizza dough recipe, store-bought crusts, or flatbread to make these Father’s Day pizzas. 

Chicken BBQ Pizza for Dad

homemade bbq pizza for dad
Photo Wiki Recipes

If you are a dad, chances are you love BBQ. This is a twist on the classic BBQ pizza with homemade smoky, tangy sauce and grilled chicken. It’s a tasty way to celebrate Father’s Day.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

There are so many different types of BBQ sauce on the market, from sweet to smoky to spicy. BBQ sauce is basically a combination of four elements sweet, spicy, salty, and tangy.

While there is a basic formula for a standard BBQ sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and paprika, you can also mix things up and use different elements to personalize your sauce. Here are some ideas for each category. 

  • Sweet – honey, brown sugar, molasses, or agave
  • Spicy – black pepper, hot sauce, chipotles in adobe, fresh or dried chilies
  • Salty – Worcestershire, soy sauce, celery salt, onion salt, or tamari
  • Tangy – apple cider vinegar, lemon, limes, grapefruit juice, mustard, achiote paste

The BBQ sauce for our chicken pizza is a fairly mild one, but if dad loves hot and spicy flavors, you can add more hot sauce for some extra kick.

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2  tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Tabasco sauce to your preference

Add the ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil while stirring. Then simmer for five minutes. That’s it, so easy. Just let it cool before adding it to your pizza.

Spread your sauce on your pizza base and add the toppings.

  • 1 cup grilled chicken shredded or chopped (rotisserie is fine)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup smoked gouda
  • 1 small red onion sliced thin
  • ⅓ cup fresh cilantro 

Add your toppings but save the cilantro to sprinkle on when the pizza comes out of the oven.

Store any leftover BBQ sauce in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Meat Lover’s Pizza

homemade meat lover's pizza
Photo Wiki Recipes

Meat lover’s pizza is a favorite among many. Something about a hearty meat pizza is so satisfying. Our meaty pie has six kinds of meat:  Italian sausage, pepperoni, salami, bacon, ham, and ground beef. 

This classic pizza starts with a marinara sauce base and keeps the cheese simple with mozzarella. Then, pile on your favorite artery clogging treats. It’s a celebration so let dad enjoy every last bite of his meat lover’s pizza. 

  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 1 package pepperoni
  • 1 cup cooked crumbled Italian sausage
  • 20 thinly sliced pieces of salami
  • 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
  • 10 slices ham
  • ½ cup cooked crumbled ground beef 

Pro Tip: Never put raw meat on a pizza. Always thoroughly cook before adding to the pizza.

Healthy Pizza for Dad

healthy homemade pizza for dad
Photo by Mariana Rascão on Unsplash

Active dads take of themselves and exercise, and eat right. But that doesn’t mean a healthy dad cant enjoy a good homemade pizza too. Making a healthy homemade pizza for dad is easy peasy with healthy toppings on a thin crust.

Our healthy pizza uses less cheese and more veggies to create a Mediterranean-inspired pizza. This pizza works with a classic marinara, a simple white sauce, or a fresh basil pesto.

Add the fresh arugula after the pizza is cooked for a tangy fresh flavor.

Gourmet Dad Pizza

homemade pizza for dad with salmon
Photo by Caroline Attwood on Unsplash

Is your father or father figure a foodie? Does he know the difference between black olives and kalamata olives? Does he have a fine palate and appreciate a complex flavor profile? 

Our take on gourmet pizza will make any foodie smile. We combine the smoky fish with salty capers and creamy cheese, creating the perfect combination for pizza lovers who live something a little fancier than your classic pizza.

  • 1 ½ cup of thinly sliced smoked salmon
  • ¼ cup of capers
  • 10 tablespoons Mascarpone cheese
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for the crust
  • ½ red onion thinly sliced
  • Serve with lemon slices

Brush the crust with olive oil and spread out the red onions. Bake for 8 minutes on 425°F. Then, remove the pizza and add the salmon, capers, and spoonfuls of mascarpone cheese.

Sprinkle with black pepper and bake for another 5 minutes. We suggest serving with lemon slices because a little squeeze brings it all together. 

Pair your favorite homemade pizza for dad with his favorite beer or wine and give a celebratory toast to all the fathers and father figures and all of the amazing things they do for us.

What’s your favorite way to make homemade pizza for dad? How do you celebrate Father’s Day?

One of our Favorites

Traditional spices, including fennel seed, season this authentic Tuscan style Italian pork sausage. The best and easiest way we have found is to thaw the sausages in the fridge overnight, or put the unopened frozen package in a bowl of cold tap water for 5-10 minutes. Dad will love it on his pizza!

Share With Other Pizza Lovers:

ooni Brand

Ooni pizza ovens have gained a reputation as the go-to choice for homemade pizza enthusiasts, and for good reason. Their commitment to quality craftsmanship and innovative design sets them apart in the realm of pizza ovens. One of the standout features of Ooni pizza ovens is their versatility. Whether you prefer the classic taste of wood-fired pizza or the convenience of gas or charcoal, Ooni offers models to suit every preference. This versatility allows home chefs to experiment with different cooking methods to achieve their desired flavor profiles and textures.

Pizzelo Brand

Elevate your homemade pizza game with Pizzelo’s precision-engineered pizza ovens. Achieve that perfect, crispy crust and gooey cheese you’ve been dreaming about every time you smell pizza. With customizable temperature control and quick heating, enjoy authentic pizzeria taste in the comfort of your home. Unleash your inner chef with Pizzelo – where passion meets perfection.

Related Pizza Posts

Best Ooni Pizza Oven Accessories: Essential Tools for Perfect Pies

Price of a Pizza Oven: Factors That Affect Cost

Ooni New York Pizza Sauce

Ooni New York Pizza Sauce Review: Authentic Flavors Tested

Best Pizza in Phuket: Unveiling the Top Spots for a Slice

how much does a pizza oven cost

How Much is a Pizza Oven: Factors Affecting Price and Options

what can you cook in a pizza oven

What Can You Cook in a Pizza Oven: Beyond Pizza, A World of Culinary Possibilities

Related Pizza Categories

Authors

DK & Eliana

DK & Eliana

Thanks for reading about our homemade pizza journey! We're a young married couple who started making pizza at home on our wedding night and haven't looked back yet. We've learned over countless attempts of trial and error how to make the perfect pizza sauce, pizza dough, and exactly which pizza accessories to buy for your home setup...

FYI When you make a purchase or, sometimes, carry out some other action as direct result of clicking on a link at Homemade Pizza School, we will receive a small commission. Gratzie!

Recent Pizza Posts

Upgrade your home/kitchen’s homemade pizza setup with authentic commercial pizzeria-style pizza dough proofing boxes. They hold all the dough you need for an awesome pizza night prep with friends and family. Size is 17.25 x 13 x 3.54 inches and fit perfectly in our home fridge…

Our Pizza Favorites:

These cup & char pepperoni cups from Battistoni brand are by far our top seller here on the blog. They’re the single best topping we use on our own homemade pizzas (as we almost always use pepperoni) and probably order them monthly, at least. Want those lovely charred pep cups? Buy Battistoni.

By a large margin, this is the most affordable, albeit tiny, pizza “oven” on the market today. Sold at Uncommon Goods, this personal-sized pizza maker is perfect for children or picky eaters who only want their specific toppings. Note: only works with charcoal grills. Try it today!

We love the authentic Italian-style Neapolitan pizzas from Talia di Napoli! Now you can do, for a limited time offer of 20% off all of their pizza packs. We recommend the Taste of Talia~