Homemade Aldi Halloween Pizza Recipe

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One of my absolute favorite Halloween grocery finds is Aldi Halloween Pizza—from their adorably spooky pumpkin-shaped pies to their ghostly designs that are perfect for any Halloween party. But what if you could recreate the magic at home and add your own twist to it? That’s exactly what I’m here to help you do!

How to make Aldi Halloween Pizza

Aldi Halloween Pizza is a limited-edition frozen pizza sold by ALDI under the Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen brand, released each year around Halloween.

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar

For the Pumpkin-shaped Pizza:

• Pizza sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni slices
• Sliced green and black olives
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)

For the Ghost-shaped Pizza:

• Cream sauce (e.g., Alfredo sauce)
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Sliced white mushrooms
• Sliced black olives
• Spinach leaves (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the Pizza Dough:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center.
3. Pour the olive oil and yeast mixture into the well. Stir until a dough forms.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.

Shape the Dough:

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
2. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions.
3. Roll out one portion into a large oval shape for the ghost pizza and the other into a round pumpkin shape.

Assemble the Pumpkin-shaped Pizza:

1. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the pumpkin-shaped dough.
2. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
3. Arrange pepperoni slices to form the pumpkin’s “ridges”.
4. Use olive slices to create the pumpkin’s eyes, mouth, and stem.
5. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.

Assemble the Ghost-shaped Pizza:

1. Spread a thin layer of cream sauce over the ghost-shaped dough.
2. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
3. Use sliced mushrooms to form the ghost’s eyes and mouth.
4. Arrange black olive slices around the eyes for extra detail.
5. Garnish with fresh spinach leaves, if you’d like.

Bake the Pizzas:

1. Transfer the pizzas to a baking sheet or pizza stone.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
3. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Tips:

• Shapes and Decorations: Feel free to get creative with your shapes and decorations. Use cookie cutters or kitchen knives to create more intricate designs if you wish.
• Dough Prep: If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought pizza dough to speed up the process.
• Sauce Variations: Experiment with different sauces and toppings to suit your tastes. Barbecue sauce or pesto can provide unique flavors.
• Topping Placement: For cleaner shapes and designs, arrange your toppings carefully and use a picture for reference if needed.

What to serve with

Aldi Halloween Pizza is not just a festive treat—it’s also an excellent centerpiece for a spooky-themed meal.

Spooky Veggie Platter:

• Arrange carrots, celery sticks, broccoli florets, and cherry tomatoes in a Halloween shape like a pumpkin or a skull.
• Serve with a spinach dip, ranch, or hummus dyed orange with paprika for extra festivity.

Monster Finger Breadsticks:

• Use refrigerated crescent roll dough or homemade bread dough. Shape them into thin finger-like forms.
• Add almond slices at the tips as “nails” and sprinkle the breadsticks with parmesan cheese before baking.
• Serve with a marinara “blood” dipping sauce.

Mummy Jalapeño Poppers:

• Wrap halved jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and shredded cheese in strips of crescent roll or puff pastry to look like mummies.
• Add dots of black olive for eyes and bake until golden brown.

Witch’s Cauldron Soup:

• Serve a warm bowl of tomato soup or butternut squash soup in black cauldron-shaped bowls.
• Add breadstick “bones” for dipping.

Ingredients Substitutes

Creating an Aldi Halloween Pizza at home is a fun, customizable way to make your spooky season extra festive. But what if you don’t have all the recommended ingredients on hand or need alternatives due to dietary preferences, allergies, or simple convenience?

Pizza Dough Substitutes

• Pre-Made Pizza Dough: Save time by using store-bought pizza dough, which you can find at your local Aldi or any grocery store. Look for dough balls or even pre-rolled crusts to skip the hassle.
• Gluten-Free Alternatives: If you’re gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free pizza dough mix (Aldi offers options like the liveGfree brand) or buy pre-made gluten-free crusts to simplify prep.
• Cauliflower Pizza Crust: For a low-carb or veggie-packed option, opt for a cauliflower pizza base. Aldi stocks a delicious frozen cauliflower crust in its Simply Nature line.
• Flatbreads or Tortillas: For a quick option, use flatbreads, pita bread, or large flour tortillas. While they may not give you a traditional pizza feel, they work well for a thin crust Aldi Halloween Pizza. To achieve creative Halloween shapes, simply cut them using scissors or a sharp knife.

Pizza Sauce Substitutes

• DIY Pizza Sauce: If store-bought pizza sauce isn’t available, make your own using crushed canned tomatoes. Blend them with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper for an instant homemade option.
• Marinara Sauce: Use marinara sauce as a substitute—it’s essentially the same base but may be slightly thinner in consistency.
• Pesto or BBQ Sauce: For a unique twist, use pesto for a vibrant green base that gives off Frankenstein vibes or swap pizza sauce with barbecue sauce for a smoky sweet flavor.
• Tomato Paste: If you’re in a pinch, thin out tomato paste with a little bit of water or olive oil and season it. It makes a quick and easy alternative.

Cheese Substitutes

• Shredded Cheese Options: While shredded mozzarella is the go-to for pizza recipes, you can also use other kinds of cheese like provolone, fontina, Monterey Jack, or even a blend of them for a slightly different flavor.
• Dairy-Free or Vegan Cheese: If you’re avoiding dairy, try plant-based shredded mozzarella. Aldi’s Earth Grown line offers wonderful vegan cheese alternatives, including mozzarella shred.
• Cream Sauce for White Pizza: Switch out shredded cheese and pizza sauce with a dairy-based or plant-based cream sauce (like Alfredo or cashew cream) for a rich, ghostly white base.

Toppings Substitutes

Halloween-themed toppings are what make this pizza truly unique, and there’s a lot of room for creativity! Here are some substitutions:

Pumpkin Design Alternatives:

• Pepperoni Ridges: Replace with slices of vegan pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, or strips of cooked bacon for an equally spooky effect.
• Black Olive Shapes: Swap black olives for capers, artichokes, or slices of eggplant to create features of the pumpkin face.
• Basil Leaves: Use spinach leaves, arugula, or parsley to mimic the pumpkin stem design.

Ghost Design Alternatives:

• White Mushrooms: Replace mushrooms with thin slices of tofu or baby potatoes for the ghost’s features.
• Black Olive Eyes: Use small pieces of seaweed sheets, raisins, or black beans to mimic eyes.
• Cream Sauce Base: Substitute the cream sauce with ricotta cheese or any white soft cheese spread.

Additional Topping Replacements

Feel free to get creative with toppings—here are easy substitutions for common pizza ingredients:

• Vegetable Toppings: Use anything spooky-shaped like bell pepper rings (good for eyes), halved cherry tomatoes (bloodshot eyes), or zucchini slices. Snap peas or thinly sliced carrots can resemble claws or spider legs.
• Protein Options: Swap pepperoni with diced deli meat (turkey, ham, or chicken) for similar meaty flavor.
• Cheese Decorations: Roll up slices of cheese or use string cheese to create shapes like spider webs or wriggly ghost mouths.

Seasoning Substitutes

• Italian Seasoning: In place of pre-mixed Italian seasoning, mix dried oregano, basil, thyme, and garlic powder.
• Salt Substitutes: If you want lower sodium, try potassium-based salt substitutes or use garlic and onion powders for added flavor.
• Olive Oil Substitutes: Use avocado oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil in the dough recipe or for brushing on top.

Final Thoughts

By thoughtfully pairing sides, treats, and drinks with your Aldi Halloween Pizza, you’ll create a spooky, festive spread that will leave your guests raving.

More Pizza Recipes:

• Matcha Pizza Recipe
• Homemade Pizza Hut Matcha Pizza Recipe