A pinch of this. A dash of that.

It’s amazing what a little bit of seasoning and spice can add to your meal — and your pizza.

In one of our recent blog posts, we outlined some of the best sauces to drizzle on your slices to enhance the cheesy and saucy nature of the dish. But, there are many more ways to elevate your pie.

Instead of dunking your slice into some type of dip, you may want to try sprinkling these 7 different types of seasonings, sprinkles and herbs atop your pie. Many of these suggested accoutrements will either provide a pleasant kick to your taste buds, enhancing the many flavors of the dish. So next time you order a pizza, consider checking your kitchen and playing with these condiments.

Grated Parmesan Cheese

If you have been reluctant to incorporate any extra trimmings to your pizza, a few dashes of parmesan cheese sprinkle may be a good place to start as it only subtly changes the flavor.

The aged quality of parmesan cheese brings a pungent, but rewarding taste to your slice. Use liberally, but make sure not to go overboard. There is such a thing as too much cheese on a slice of pizza. Freshly grated parmesan would be best, but bottled cheese sprinkle can also be an adequate substitute.

(Bonus pizza hack: If your pie happens to be a little greasy, grated parmesan cheese sprinkle helps to absorb any leftover oil.)

Dried Oregano

A quintessential Italian herb, Oregano brings an earthy and sweet aroma to your pizza. The herb instantly upgrades the pie, augmenting some of the flavors in the pizza’s tomato sauce. If you’re going to experiment with oregano, we’d recommend using it with a pie that boasts more traditional pizza toppings.

Garlic Powder

Garlic fits naturally with pizza, adding a delicious flavor that’s both sharp and sweet. Generously sprinkle garlic powder all over if you’re seeking to add a little complexity to your dish. Like parmesan, garlic is a good starter sprinkle for those pizza fans who may be a little timid when it comes to seasoning their slices.

Crushed Red Pepper

If you want heat, crushed red pepper is your seasoning. These flakes will upgrade your pie instantly with some delicious piquancy, while also adding a crunchy texture to your toppings. Crushed red pepper is an excellent choice for those beginners who want to foray into spicier foods, but may have a lower tolerance for any heat. Regardless, be sure to use sparingly if you have a low exposure to spicy foods.

Chopped Parsley

The freshness and bitter taste of chopped parsley will raise the elegance of any dish, including pizza. The herb, a cousin of cilantro, is an ingredient in many pasta and risottos, helping to balance out the flavors. Be sure to finely chop the parsley and scatter it lightly across your pie.

Fresh Basil Leaves

Fresh basil leaves are a staple in pizza Margherita, and for good reason. Next time you have a few basil leaves sprouting in your garden, consider adding a couple to your next pie if you have. With its licorice aroma, the herb lends a sweet, but fresh flavor to the dish.

All Of The Above

While all of the above seasonings and toppings are delicious on their own, they taste even better when they are paired with each other. Each individual condiment packs a specific punch and brings out their own unique flavoring, so we’d recommend a few trial runs with seasoning your pizzas to figure out the best flavor combination that fits your palate. But if that sounds like too much work, you can always buy a generic, store-made Italian seasoning blend, which features a mix of some of the aforementioned herbs. Or, better yet, you can make your own pizza seasoning mix to keep on hand in your pantry.

— Melanie Lawder