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Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe

ByLily
Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 45 reviews

I’m super excited to share my easy and adorable Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe with you because it turns pizza night into a fun holiday celebration! Whether you’re juggling a busy week or just want to impress the kids (and yourself!) with something festive and delicious, this recipe nails it. The best part? It’s simple, customizable, and guaranteed to get everyone smiling as soon as it hits the table.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Simple Yet Fun: The spooky ghost shapes made from mozzarella make this pizza festive without complicated steps.
  • Flexible Dough Options: You can save time with store-bought dough or get hands-on and make it homemade.
  • Kid-Approved Flavor: Classic mozzarella and pizza sauce flavors that everyone loves, with a fun Halloween twist.
  • Decorate After Baking: Adding the ghost shapes post-bake keeps them distinct and slightly melty for the perfect look.
A round pizza with a thick golden crust on a white plate, placed on a wooden board over a white marbled surface, topped with melted golden cheese and red tomato sauce beneath. There are nine white ghost-shaped cheese figures spaced evenly on the pizza, each with black olive pieces for eyes and mouths, giving them playful facial expressions. The background shows small orange pumpkins and some containers near a window, adding a cozy, autumn feel. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe come together beautifully to create the perfect balance of gooey, cheesy, and visually spooky. Plus, you don’t need anything fancy — just good quality basics, and I’ll share some tips on picking the right ones below.

  • Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade): Using Pillsbury crust is a great timesaver, but homemade dough adds a lovely chew and flavor complexity.
  • Pizza sauce: Choose a sauce that’s flavorful but not overpowering to complement the mozzarella without hiding the ghost shapes.
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese: Provides that melty coverage that’s classic for pizza and acts as a luscious base layer.
  • Sliced mozzarella cheese: The star of the show for ghost shapes — thicker slices create a dimensional look, but even thin slices work for an easy effect.
  • Black olives: Perfect for making spooky, expressive eyes and mouths on your ghosts.
  • Pepperoni slices (optional): Adds a savory kick if you want more flavor or variety, but not necessary for the ghostly effect.
  • Yeast, water, flour, olive oil, salt, and sugar (for homemade dough): The basics that bring your pizza crust to life with just a little patience and kneading.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the reasons I love this Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. You can keep it simple or jazz it up with your favorite toppings. I’ve tried different cheeses, added veggies, and even swapped in gluten-free dough, and each time it still turns out great!

  • Variation: I once used fresh basil and sliced cherry tomatoes around the ghosts for a colorful, slightly fresher bite that kids enjoyed.
  • Dietary tweaks: Try vegan mozzarella if you want a plant-based spooky pizza everyone can enjoy.
  • Seasonal switch-up: Use pumpkin-shaped pepperoni slices to double down on Halloween fun.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe

Step 1: Prepping the Dough

If you’re using store-bought dough or Pillsbury crust (my quick fix go-to), just roll it out according to package instructions on the pizza pan. Got a bit more time? Making homemade dough is so satisfying — just activate your yeast by dissolving it in warm water with a little sugar and wait for it to foam (about 5 minutes). Then mix in your flour, salt, and olive oil, knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour until it doubles in size. Patience here pays off with a beautifully fluffy crust!

Step 2: Saucing and Cheese Layer

Once your dough is ready, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Spread your pizza sauce evenly over your dough, making sure to leave a little space around the edges for a nice crust. Then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella generously over the sauce — kids love to help with this part, by the way!

Step 3: Baking and Ghost Making

Bake the pizza for about 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. While that’s baking, it’s time for the fun ghost shapes: I use a cookie cutter or carefully freehand cut little ghost figures from the sliced mozzarella. Thicker slices lend a cute 3D puffiness once on the pizza, but thinner slices work just as well if you want the ghosts flatter. Then cut tiny olive pieces for spooky little eyes and mouths.

Step 4: Decorate and Serve

Right out of the oven, place your mozzarella ghost shapes on top of the hot pizza. The slight melting that happens as they warm the pizza again creates a perfect spooky effect — not too melted to lose shape but melty enough to look delicious. Let the pizza cool a few minutes before cutting to keep those ghost faces intact. Then dig in and enjoy that festive fun!

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Tips from My Kitchen

  • Use Cold Sliced Mozzarella: I find slicing the mozzarella and chilling it before cutting ghost shapes helps them hold better on the pizza.
  • Avoid Overloading Sauce: Too much sauce makes the crust soggy; just a thin layer will balance moisture and flavor.
  • Let Dough Fully Rise: If making homemade, don’t rush the rising time — that’s key for a light crust.
  • Add Ghosts Post-Bake: This keeps their shapes intact and eyes expressive, trust me — it makes all the difference.

How to Serve Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe

A pizza with a golden-brown crust is shown with one slice being lifted by a woman's hand, pulling long strings of melted white cheese. The pizza has a base layer of red tomato sauce covered with a smooth layer of melted cheese. On top, there are four white ghost-shaped cheese pieces, each with two small black eyes. The background shows a warm fire inside a dark oven, and the pizza is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil after baking to add a pop of color and freshness against the creamy mozzarella ghosts. A dash of chili flakes works nicely if you want just a mild spicy kick. For parties, sometimes I even add tiny edible candy eyes on the mozzarella ghosts right before serving for an extra whimsical touch.

Side Dishes

Pair this pizza with a crisp, light side salad — think arugula with lemon vinaigrette or a simple Caesar salad — to balance the cheesy richness. For the kiddos, carrot sticks or sweet corn on the cob are fun and easy sides. I’ve also served it with pumpkin soup to keep the Halloween theme going strong.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I’ve placed the pizza on a black serving tray and arranged fake spider rings and orange paper napkins around it to amp up the spooky vibe. Another fun trick is to cut the pizza into ghost-shaped slices using cookie cutters for an extra playful presentation — kids go crazy for that! You could even add a little “ghost story” menu card for ambiance.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe cools, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I like to separate slices with parchment paper so they don’t stick together, and keeping the cheese ghosts on top helps them retain their shape.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, wrap the pizza tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. I recommend freezing before adding the mozzarella ghosts — freeze the plain cheese pizza, then add the ghost shapes fresh when you’re ready to bake for best texture and appearance.

Reheating

I reheat leftover slices in a skillet over medium heat or in a toaster oven rather than the microwave. This keeps the crust crisp, and the cheese ghosts actually warm up just right — melty but still visibly spooky, which is what you want!

FAQs

  1. Can I use pre-shredded mozzarella instead of sliced cheese for the ghosts?

    While shredded mozzarella is perfect for the base of the pizza, it’s tough to get distinct ghost shapes from it. Using sliced mozzarella gives you that fun, recognizable ghost form that makes this pizza visually special. You could try forming small balls or shapes, but slices are easiest for this look.

  2. Is it better to add the cheese ghosts before or after baking?

    I recommend adding the ghost shapes after baking for the best definition. If you bake them on top, they tend to melt into the base and lose their shape. Adding them just as the pizza comes out of the oven lets them soften a bit without blending in.

  3. Can I make this pizza gluten-free?

    Absolutely! Just swap the regular dough for your favorite gluten-free pizza crust. The toppings and ghost decorations work just the same, so your family can enjoy this spooky treat no matter the diet.

  4. How can I make the pizza more kid-friendly?

    Keep the toppings simple and let the kids help make the ghost shapes and olive faces — they love being part of the process. You can also offer plain mozzarella with a side of dip like ranch or marinara for picky eaters.

Final Thoughts

This Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe has become my go-to for fun, festive dinner during October, especially when life gets busy and I need a quick but memorable meal. It’s one of those recipes that sparks smiles, invites creativity, and tastes delicious every single time. Give it a try this Halloween and watch your family light up as they spot their ghostly cheesy friends on their plates — you’re going to love the reaction as much as the pizza itself!

Print
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Spooky Ghost Halloween Pizza Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 45 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large pizza
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Create a fun and spooky ghost-themed pizza perfect for Halloween with easy-to-follow steps using either store-bought or homemade dough. Featuring mozzarella ghost shapes and black olive faces, this pizza is a delightful treat for busy moms and their families.

Ingredients

For Store-Bought Pizza

  • 1 store-bought pizza dough or 1 Pillsbury pizza crust
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Sliced mozzarella cheese (thicker slices for 3D ghosts or thinner slices for flatter ghosts) about 6-8 slices
  • Black olives for eyes and mouths, sliced into small pieces
  • Optional: pepperoni slices

For Homemade Pizza Dough

  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) to prepare it for baking the pizza.
  2. Prepare Dough: For store-bought dough, roll it out on a pizza pan according to package instructions. For homemade dough, activate yeast by dissolving sugar in warm water, sprinkle yeast and let foam for 5 minutes. Mix flour and salt in a bowl, add yeast mixture and olive oil, stir to form dough. Knead on floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size. Punch down and roll out onto a pizza pan.
  3. Spread Sauce: Evenly spread 1 cup of pizza sauce over the prepared dough, leaving a margin for the crust.
  4. Add Shredded Cheese: Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce-covered dough.
  5. Create Ghosts: Cut ghost shapes from sliced mozzarella cheese. Use thicker slices for a three-dimensional look or thinner for flatter ghosts. Cut small pieces of black olives to form eyes and mouths for the ghosts.
  6. Bake Pizza: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Decorate with Ghosts: Remove pizza from oven and immediately place mozzarella ghost shapes on top. The ghosts will soften but maintain their shape.
  8. Cool and Serve: Let the pizza cool for a few minutes to set the toppings, then slice and serve your spooky ghost pizza.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend if making dough from scratch.
  • If you want more flavor, add Italian seasoning or garlic powder to the pizza sauce before spreading.
  • Use thicker sliced mozzarella for bold ghost shapes, thinner slices soften more for a subtle effect.
  • Pepperoni slices can be added before baking for extra taste but are optional.
  • Let the pizza cool slightly before slicing to keep toppings from sliding off.
  • If using store-bought dough, follow package instructions for rolling and prebaking if recommended.
  • Ensure warm water is around 110°F to properly activate the yeast for homemade dough.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pizza)
  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 480 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg

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