Ghost Pizza is a fun and spooky twist on a classic favorite that’s perfect for Halloween or any time you want to add a little mystery to your meal. It’s a homemade pizza topped with mozzarella cheese shaped like ghosts, along with your favorite sauce and toppings peeking through like little haunting surprises. The contrast of gooey cheese and crispy crust makes every bite delightful.
I love making Ghost Pizza because it’s a great way to get creative, especially if you’re cooking with kids or just want to make dinner a bit more playful. Cutting the cheese into ghost shapes and adding eyes with toppings like olives or pepperoni always brings a smile before we even dig in. It’s simple but adds such a fun touch that everyone enjoys.
Serving this pizza hot from the oven, with the cheese ghosts melted and slightly browned on the edges, creates the perfect spooky effect. I usually pair it with a fresh side salad or some crunchy veggie sticks to balance out the cheesy goodness. It’s one of those dishes I look forward to making every fall, but really, it’s tasty enough to enjoy all year round.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pizza Dough: Store-bought dough works great and saves time. If you want a crispier crust, try making your own or buy a high-quality fresh dough. Gluten-free options can be swapped in too for dietary needs.
Tomato Sauce: A simple tomato pizza sauce works best here. If you prefer, use marinara or even a pesto base for a different flavor twist.
Mozzarella Cheese: Use shredded mozzarella for the base layer to get that melty, gooey texture. For ghost shapes, fresh mozzarella balls are ideal because you can stretch and shape them easily. If fresh mozzarella isn’t available, use small mozzarella chunks.
Black Olives or Peppercorns: These create the ghost eyes. Black olives are tasty, but peppercorns or even tiny pieces of seaweed can work if you want a visually striking but different option.
How Do You Make the Mozzarella Ghosts Hold Their Shape?
The secret is gently stretching fresh mozzarella balls into elongated ghost shapes before baking. Here’s how:
- Start with cold fresh mozzarella balls so they’re firm and easier to shape.
- Gently pull the cheese downward to create a tapered “tail” like a ghost’s bottom.
- Try to keep the top rounded to resemble a ghost’s head.
- Place them carefully on the pizza top so they don’t flatten out too much.
- The short baking time at high heat helps the cheese melt just enough to keep the shape but still get melty and golden.
Adding eyes with olive pieces or peppercorns before baking completes the look. It’s a little crafting step that makes this pizza delightfully fun and unique!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Pizza peel or baking sheet – I recommend a pizza peel for quick transfer to the oven, but a baking sheet works fine too.
- Rolling pin – helps get the pizza dough evenly flat for a professional look.
- Sharp knife or scissors – for shaping the mozzarella into ghost forms.
- Small spoon or tweezers – useful for placing tiny eyes like olives or peppercorns precisely.
- Oven or pizza oven – for baking the pizza until golden and bubbly.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap marinara for a white sauce or pesto for a different flavor base.
- Add cooked sausage, pepperoni, or ham under the cheese for some meaty options.
- Mix in bits of cooked veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
- Season the cheese with herbs like oregano or basil before baking to boost flavor.
How to Make Ghost Pizza
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Pizza:
- 1 batch pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup tomato pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 200g fresh mozzarella balls (for ghost shapes)
- Black olives or black peppercorns (for eyes)
- Olive oil, for brushing
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 10-12 minutes to bake. So, in just under 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious, fun, and spooky Ghost Pizza ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it inside the oven as it preheats to get it nice and hot. This helps create a crispy crust.
2. Shape the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into an 11-12 inch circle. Transfer the dough carefully to a pizza peel or baking sheet, ready for toppings.
3. Add Sauce and Base Cheese:
Spread the tomato pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving about an inch around the edges free for the crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
4. Make Your Ghosts:
Take the fresh mozzarella balls and gently stretch each one vertically to form a ghost-like shape with a tapered bottom. Place the mozzarella ghosts spaced evenly on top of the pizza.
For the ghost eyes, use small pieces of black olives or black peppercorns and place two on each mozzarella ghost.
5. Bake the Pizza:
Lightly brush olive oil onto the exposed dough edges to help the crust brown nicely. Slide your pizza onto the hot pizza stone or put the baking sheet into the oven.
Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Your mozzarella ghosts should hold their shape and start to brown lightly.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Then slice it up and serve warm. Enjoy your spooky, delicious Ghost Pizza!
Can I Use Frozen Pizza Dough for Ghost Pizza?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw the dough completely in the refrigerator overnight before rolling it out. This helps ensure it stretches easily and bakes evenly.
What If I Don’t Have Fresh Mozzarella Balls?
You can use small mozzarella chunks or bocconcini instead. Just be gentle when shaping so they stay ghost-like. Avoid shredded mozzarella for the ghosts as it won’t hold the shape.
How Should I Store Leftover Ghost Pizza?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to keep the crust crispy and the cheese melty.
Can I Customize My Ghost Pizza With Different Toppings?
Absolutely! Add your favorite toppings under the base cheese, like pepperoni, veggies, or sausage. Just be sure not to cover the mozzarella ghosts so they stay visible and spooky.