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New Year’s Pizza: Ring in the Fun with Edible Numbers!

Every New Year’s Eve, our family has a tradition – it involves a whole lot of noise, questionable dance moves, and, of course, incredible food. But one year, amidst the sea of dips and appetizers, my little niece, Lily, looked up at me with the most serious eyes a six-year-old could muster and declared, “Auntie, we need a pizza that IS the New Year!” And that’s how this festive, edible countdown was born. It’s messy, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the start of something new, one cheesy, veggie-loaded bite at a time.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 14-16 minutes
Total Time: 34-36 minutes
Servings: 8
Yield: 1 set of numbered pizzas
Dietary Type: Vegetarian (can be adapted to Vegan)

Ingredients

2 (13 7/8 ounce) cans pizza dough
1 1/2 cups pizza sauce
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (or vegan mozzarella alternative)
1 red bell pepper, small diced
1 yellow bell pepper, small diced
1 green bell pepper, small diced
1 small red onion, small diced
1 zucchini, small diced
4 ounces mushrooms, small diced
2 ounces sliced pepperoni, small diced (optional, omit for vegetarian)

Equipment Needed

2 Baking Sheets
Parchment Paper
Cutting Board
Sharp Knife
Pizza Cutter (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Working with one can of pizza dough at a time, unroll it onto a cutting board. Position the dough so the longest side is parallel to the edge of your counter. This gives you the most space to work with.
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the dough in half vertically. You’ll now have two rectangles of dough.
Take one rectangle and, using your sharp knife, carefully cut out the number “2”. Don’t worry about perfection; rustic charm is part of the fun! Transfer the cut-out “2” to one of your prepared baking sheets.
Repeat the process with the second rectangle of dough, this time cutting out the number “0”. Transfer this “0” to the same baking sheet as the “2”, leaving some space between the numbers.
Now, unroll the second can of pizza dough onto the cutting board and repeat the vertical cut to create two more rectangles.
Using one of the rectangles, cut out the number “1”. Transfer it to the second prepared baking sheet.
Finally, cut out the number “9” from the remaining rectangle of dough and transfer it to the same baking sheet as the “1”, again leaving some space between the numbers.
Bake the dough numbers for 6 minutes. This pre-baking step helps prevent the crust from becoming soggy under all the toppings.
Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Now comes the fun part: topping!
Spread pizza sauce evenly over each number, being generous and covering the dough right to the edges. Don’t skimp on the sauce; it’s the flavor foundation of your New Year’s masterpiece.
Sprinkle the sauced numbers with shredded mozzarella cheese, creating a blanket of cheesy goodness. For even melting, make sure the cheese is evenly distributed.
Now, decorate each number with the diced vegetables. Arrange the red, yellow, and green bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, and mushrooms attractively. This is your chance to get creative! If using, sprinkle the small diced pepperoni on top too.
Return the baking sheets to the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the toppings are cooked through. The cheese should be melted, bubbly, and starting to brown in spots.
Remove the New Year’s pizzas from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Arrange the numbers on a large platter or cutting board, placing them next to each other to form “2019”. You can use fresh herbs like basil or parsley to garnish for an extra festive touch.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Make Ahead: The dough numbers can be cut out and pre-baked a few hours in advance. Store them at room temperature in an airtight container until ready to top and bake.
Vegetable Prep: Dice the vegetables ahead of time to save time on the day of. Store them in separate containers in the refrigerator.
Cheese Choice: For a richer flavor, use a blend of mozzarella and provolone cheese.
Doneness Check: The crust should be golden brown and firm to the touch. If the cheese is browning too quickly, you can tent the pizzas loosely with foil for the last few minutes of baking.
Pizza Stone: If you have a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven along with the baking sheets for an even crispier crust.
Dough Troubles: If your pizza dough is sticking, lightly flour your cutting board and rolling pin (if using one).
Vegan Pizza: Substitute the mozzarella cheese with a vegan alternative and omit the pepperoni.
If you don’t want to dice all the vegetables, you can add a can of mixed vegetables.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve the New Year’s pizza immediately while it’s hot and cheesy. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. To reheat in the oven, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. For the microwave, heat on high in 30 second increments until warmed.

Nutritional Information

(Estimated per serving, without pepperoni)

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	310 kcal	16%
Total Fat	12g	18%
Saturated Fat	5g	25%
Cholesterol	25mg	8%
Sodium	600mg	26%
Total Carbohydrate	35g	12%
Dietary Fiber	3g	12%
Sugars	5g	–
Protein	15g	30%

Variations & Substitutions

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pizza dough for a gluten-free version.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pizza sauce or sprinkle some diced jalapeños on top.
Mediterranean Twist: Use feta cheese, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts for a Mediterranean-inspired New Year’s pizza.
Meat Lovers: Add cooked sausage, bacon, or ham to the toppings for a heartier pizza.
Personal Pizzas: Cut out smaller versions of the numbers for individual servings.
Different Shapes: If you are feeling extra creative, use different shapes to cut out the pizzas.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

Q: Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
A: Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough is a great time-saver. Just make sure it’s fresh and not past its expiration date.

Q: Can I freeze the leftover pizza?
A: Yes, you can freeze leftover pizza. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. It will last for up to 2 months.

Q: What if my crust is browning too quickly?
A: If your crust is browning too quickly, you can tent the pizzas loosely with foil for the last few minutes of baking.

Q: Can I use different vegetables?
A: Of course! Feel free to use any vegetables you like. Just make sure they are diced small enough so they cook evenly.

Q: Can I add herbs to the pizza?
A: Yes, you can add fresh or dried herbs to the pizza. Basil, oregano, and thyme are all great choices.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it – the New Year’s Pizza! A simple, fun, and delicious way to ring in the new year with family and friends. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the toppings and make it your own. I encourage you to try this recipe and share your own New Year’s pizza creations. Happy cooking, and Happy New Year!

New Year’s Pizza Recipe