Pizza Seasoning Recipe

This easy homemade Italian pizza seasoning is perfect for perking up a pizza that needs something more. You can also use it to add an Italian style twist to bread, tomato based sauces, dips, fries and more.

Pizza seasoning

We love making our own seasoning blends. This pizza seasoning is perfect for making a quick pizza sauce to spread on the dough but it does so much more than that.

Sprinkle a little on top of a finished pizza for a final flourish and brighten up a dull store bought pizza. It adds plenty of flavour and complexity, so there’s no need to start adding heavier ingredients like extra cheese.

You can also add your pizza seasoning to bread doughs or serve it with oil to dip your favourite Italian breads. Use it in dips, pasta sauces, over fresh tomatoes and anywhere you need a hit of pizza flavouring.

Why make homemade pizza seasoning?

• It is easy – just mix the spices well and store in a jar.

• Timesaving – no more rifling through the spice drawer every time you cook.

• Adjust to your taste – customise and have it your way every time!

• So much cheaper than buying a ready-made blend.

• Not just for pizza – use in pasta sauces, bread and dips!

Pizza seasoning ingredients

• Dried oregano – You can be a bit flexible with the dried herbs. Marjoram can work instead of oregano, but oregano is more authentic.

• Dried thyme

• Dried basil

• Dried parsley – Again, you can be flexible. Chervil would work instead.

• Paprika – powdered roasted peppers, warm and slightly sweet, you can use regular or smoked paprika.

• Salt – I used sea salt crush it a little. You could use fine salt. Either way, you don’t want large crystals.

• Ground black pepper – this brings extra heat, so adjust the quantity to taste

• Garlic powder

• Chilli flake – Add more heat with a hotter chilli flake.

• Dried fennel (optional, not shown) – this is common in Italian herb and spice mixes. I’m not too keen on it so leave it out, but if you love fennel, you should add a pinch.

How to make easy pizza seasoning – step by step

Before you start, read my step-by-step instructions, with photos, hints and tips so you can make this recipe perfectly every time.

Scroll down for the recipe card with quantities and more tips at the bottom of the page.

Step One – Check the size of your storage jar before you start, to see it will hold all the seasoning.

Then, when you are ready, gather all your ingredients. Check you have everything and put it all in a bowl.

Step Two – Give everything a good mix with a spoon or whisk.

Helen’s Pro Tip
It’s far better to mix in a bowl rather than putting everything in a jar and shaking. This can take ages and if the jar is nearly full, your spices may not be well combined.

Step Three – Transfer your pizza seasoning to a clean, dry jar. I usually use a jam funnel for this. Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place.

Serving suggestion

Sprinkle on a takeout pizza before eating, or scatter over a store or homemade pizza before cooking. I find it is especially good on the crust. Just brush with olive oil and then sprinkle on the seasoning.

Helen’s Pro Tip
Give your pizza seasoning a good shake before using, as the contents can settle.

Serve pizza seasoning with a little olive oil for dipping fresh bread.

Use it to make pizza rolls or an Italian seasoned loaf.

Add it to tomato sauces for cooking or to tomato or sour cream based dips.

Use as a rub for read meats or poultry.

Use it to flavour fries or popcorn.

Storage

Store your homemade pizza seasoning in a cool dark cupboard.

Your ‘best before’ date will be the shortest date out of all the herbs and spices you used. Although best before is a guide, it doesn’t mean you have to throw your mix away. If you keep it a long time, the flavour fades, so just use a little more.

Buying and storing spices

Spices are at their best when freshly ground.

In our kitchen, very large bags of spice go stale before I can use them. Small jars from the supermarket, however, are rarely good value for money. Modest sized packets from the ‘world foods’ aisle of the supermarket or from our local corner shop work best for us.

Use a plastic kitchen clip rather than relying on a resealable bag to be airtight. Store spice bags in sealed plastic boxes in a cool, dark place. I like to have one box for savoury spices, one for herbs, and one for sweet spices.

FAQS

More pizza recipes & condiments

• Emergency pizza – for when you want pizza in a hurry and can’t get a takeout!

• Pesto dressing – Delicious fresh basil pesto dressing that is perfect with all Italian meals

• Sweet chilli dressing – Easy salad dressing with a touch of heat to pair with pizza

• Slow cooker tomato sauce – Batch cooking for homemade pizza. Add a generous pinch of this pizza seasoning.

• Pizza fries – For indulgent evenings with your feet up. Again, add a pinch of this pizza seasoning.

• Garlic and herb pizza dipping sauce – a Domino’s / Papa John’s style dip but so much better for being homemade!