Delicious Spicy Perogy Pizza: A Boston Pizza Copycat Recipe You Can Make at Home

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of tasting Boston Pizza’s Spicy Perogy Pizza, and it immediately sparked an idea: I absolutely had to recreate this incredible flavor combination in my own kitchen. The unique blend of creamy potatoes, savory bacon, and a kick of spice on a pizza crust was simply irresistible. To ensure an authentic copycat, I ordered another one, meticulously deconstructed it, and developed a recipe that captures all the deliciousness. If you’re a fan of Boston Pizza’s version and have longed to make this indulgent dish yourself, your culinary quest ends here! Get ready to savor this Ukrainian-inspired pizza from the comfort of your home.

My love for perogies runs deep, a sentiment undoubtedly influenced by my Ukrainian heritage. This traditional Eastern European dumpling, typically filled with potato and cheese, has always been a comfort food staple. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with perogies, transforming them into a variety of exciting dishes that highlight their versatility. From a hearty Loaded Pierogi Soup to creative Perogy Zucchini Boats, a prize-winning Perogy Potato Salad, flavorful Easy Pierogi Stuffed Mushrooms, and even a cozy Pierogi Breakfast Casserole, perogies have proved to be an endless source of culinary inspiration. Given my equally passionate affection for pizza, the idea of a perogy pizza was a natural and exciting fusion. This particular Spicy Perogy Pizza recipe strikes the perfect balance, making it an ideal choice for your next game day gathering – especially during football season – or a fun, flavorful Friday night pizza tradition. It’s a comforting, satisfying, and unexpectedly delightful meal that brings together two beloved food traditions.

🥘 Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Perogy Pizza

Replicating Boston Pizza’s Spicy Perogy Pizza wasn’t as challenging as one might think. The key lies in selecting quality ingredients that contribute to its distinctive taste and texture. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of savory, creamy, and spicy flavors. Below is a comprehensive list of what you’ll need to gather:

• Pizza Crust: The foundation of any great pizza! You can either make your own homemade dough for a personalized touch or opt for a convenient store-bought crust to save time. (See the “Variations & Substitutions” section below for specific dough recommendations and recipes.)
• Potatoes: For this recipe, Russet potatoes are highly recommended. Their low moisture content and high starch profile make them excellent for achieving that desired “cactus cut” texture, similar to the fries used by Boston Pizza, ensuring they cook perfectly without becoming soggy.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning the potatoes and bringing out the flavors of all the toppings.
• Pepper: A touch of freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle warmth and aromatic depth.
• Sour Cream: This is the signature “sauce” for Perogy Pizza, providing a wonderfully tangy and creamy base that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
• Crushed Red Chili Pepper (Chili Flakes): The primary source of the “spicy” element in this pizza. Adjust the quantity to your preferred heat level.
• Jalapeños (Tamed): I specifically use Mezzetta tamed jalapeños. These offer a milder heat compared to fresh or spicier pickled varieties, making the pizza enjoyable for everyone in the family, including those who prefer less intense spice. Feel free to use spicier versions if you love a real kick!
• Mozzarella Cheese/Pizza Mozzarella (Shredded): Crucial for that classic cheesy stretch and a mild, milky flavor that balances the more robust toppings. Pizza mozzarella is ideal for its melting properties.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Shredded): Adds a rich, tangy, and savory depth to the cheese blend, enhancing the overall flavor profile significantly.
• Bacon Slices (Cooked and Cut into Pieces): Crispy, salty bacon is a quintessential perogy topping and adds a fantastic textural contrast and savory punch to the pizza. I often use Costco pre-cooked bacon for its convenience, saving time and minimizing mess.
• Green Onions (Chopped): A fresh, pungent garnish that provides a delightful crunch and brightens the flavors of the rich toppings.

Please refer to the detailed recipe card at the end of this article for precise quantities to ensure the perfect balance of flavors for your Perogy Pizza.

4. Prepare the Pizza Base: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). While the oven heats, prepare your pizza dough on a 14-inch pizza pan according to its package directions or your chosen homemade recipe. Once the crust is ready, spread the sour cream evenly over the entire pizza crust, extending almost to the edges, just as you would with a traditional tomato sauce. Then, generously sprinkle salt and pepper over the sour cream base for seasoning.
5. Layer the Toppings: Evenly distribute the pre-cooked, sliced potatoes over the sour cream base. Next, sprinkle the crushed red chili flakes across the potatoes. Follow this by evenly spreading the tamed jalapeños and finally, the chopped cooked bacon pieces across the entire pizza surface.
6. Add the Cheese: Finish layering by spreading both the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and the mozzarella cheese uniformly over all the toppings. Ensure good coverage so every slice gets a cheesy delight.

⏲️ Baking Time & Serving Your Masterpiece

The final steps involve baking your pizza to golden perfection and preparing it for serving, ensuring every bite is as delicious as possible.

7. Bake to Perfection: Place your assembled pizza in the preheated 400°F (205°C) oven. Bake for approximately 18 to 23 minutes. The exact time may vary slightly depending on your oven and chosen crust thickness. You’ll know it’s ready when the crust is beautifully golden brown, and the cheese is thoroughly melted, bubbly, and has developed a slight golden hue on top.
8. Cool Before Slicing: Once baked, carefully remove the pizza from the oven. It’s crucial to let the pizza rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This cooling period allows the cheese to set properly, preventing the toppings from sliding off when you cut into it and ensuring clean, appealing slices.
9. Serve with Garnish: To serve, cut the pizza into 10 generous slices. Enhance each slice by adding a fresh dollop of sour cream on top and a sprinkle of chopped green onions. For an extra layer of flavor and a touch of sophistication, you can also sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese over each slice, if desired. Enjoy your homemade Spicy Perogy Pizza!

📖 Creative Variations & Smart Substitutions

One of the best things about making pizza at home is the freedom to customize it to your liking! This Perogy Pizza recipe is highly adaptable. Here are some fantastic variations and substitutions to consider, catering to different dietary needs, spice preferences, or simply adding a new twist:

• Pizza Crust Options: Your choice of crust can dramatically change the pizza’s character. Beyond store-bought dough, consider using flatbreads like pita bread or balady bread for a quick, thinner base. For homemade options, explore my bread machine pizza dough recipe, a super speedy 15-minute quick pizza dough, or even a 2-ingredient Weight Watchers friendly pizza dough. Whether you prefer a thin and crispy crust or a thicker, chewier base, the choice is yours!
• Weight Watchers Friendly: To make this recipe lighter and more aligned with Weight Watchers principles, opt for the WW 2-ingredient pizza dough. Additionally, substitute regular bacon with turkey bacon, and use low-fat or fat-free cheddar cheese and sour cream.
• Gluten-Free: Easily adapt this recipe for a gluten-free diet by simply using a high-quality gluten-free pizza crust. Many excellent options are available in grocery stores.
• Lactose-Free/Dairy-Free: For those avoiding dairy, substitute the regular cheese with lactose-free or vegan cheese alternatives. My quick pizza dough is naturally dairy-free, making it a perfect choice. Remember to also use a dairy-free sour cream alternative.
• Vegetarian Version: Making this pizza vegetarian is as simple as omitting the bacon. The rich potato and cheese toppings, combined with the spicy elements, will still deliver a satisfying and flavorful experience.
• Spice Level Adjustments: If you crave more heat, you have several options. You can use fresh, thinly sliced jalapeños instead of tamed ones, or increase the quantity of crushed red chili flakes. For an extra fiery kick, consider sprinkling a teaspoon of cayenne pepper over the sour cream base before adding other toppings. Chopping the tamed jalapeños into smaller pieces can also help distribute their flavor and mild heat more evenly.
• Deluxe Toppings: Elevate your Perogy Pizza to a deluxe level by adding fried onions or caramelized onions. Their sweet and savory notes pair wonderfully with the existing flavors, adding another layer of complexity.
• Bacon Alternatives: If you don’t have bacon slices on hand, or prefer a different option, turkey bacon can be used for a leaner alternative. Alternatively, pre-packaged bacon bits can offer a quick and easy solution for that smoky, savory flavor.

👪 Serving Size & Customizing Your Yield

This Spicy Perogy Pizza recipe is designed to make one (1) 14-inch pizza, which typically yields 10 generous slices. This is a perfect quantity for a family dinner, a small gathering, or for enjoying delicious leftovers. However, if you need to adjust the serving size, the recipe is easily scalable. You can halve the ingredients to make a smaller pizza for fewer people, or double or even triple the recipe to feed a larger crowd. When using the recipe card below, simply click on the serving number, and it will automatically adjust all the ingredient quantities for you. Just remember, for larger batches, you will need additional pizza pans to accommodate the increased number of pizzas.

🔢 Weight Watchers Points Information

For those following the Weight Watchers program, this recipe can be made more points-friendly. To reduce the SmartPoints, I recommend using my WW 2-ingredient pizza dough as the base, which is a fantastic low-point option. Additionally, substitute regular bacon with lean turkey bacon, and opt for low-fat or fat-free cheddar cheese, partly skimmed mozzarella, and light sour cream. Due to the personalized nature of the Weight Watchers program and its various plans (which may assign different point values to certain foods, like potatoes being 0 points on some plans), you will need to input the specific ingredients and quantities into your Weight Watchers app to calculate the precise points value for your individual plan. On many plans, potatoes are indeed 0 points, which can significantly lower the overall SmartPoints of this delicious pizza.

🍽 Essential Equipment for Pizza Perfection

Having the right tools can make all the difference in achieving a perfectly cooked, crispy, and delicious homemade pizza. For this Spicy Perogy Pizza recipe, here’s the equipment I recommend:

• Large Round Pizza Pan (14-inch): This is fundamental for shaping and baking your pizza. A 14-inch pan is a standard size that provides ample surface area for all your delicious toppings.
• Silicone Pastry/Pizza Rolling Pin: I highly recommend using a silicone rolling pin like this one. It allows you to roll out your pizza dough directly onto the pan, which eliminates the tricky and often messy step of transferring the dough from a floured surface to the pan. This ensures your crust remains perfectly shaped and intact.
• Perforated Pizza Pan: For an exceptionally crispy crust, a perforated pizza pan is a game-changer. The holes in the pan allow air to circulate beneath the crust, preventing sogginess and promoting a delightfully crisp bottom. This is truly the trick to avoiding a limp pizza!
• Alternative for Crispy Pizza: If you don’t have a perforated pan, or for an even more rustic and robust crust, consider baking your pizza in a preheated cast iron frying pan. The cast iron retains and distributes heat incredibly well, resulting in a beautifully browned and crispy bottom. A pizza stone also achieves similar excellent results for crust crispness.

🌡️ Storage Solutions for Leftover Perogy Pizza

If you’re fortunate enough to have any leftover Spicy Perogy Pizza – a rare occurrence, perhaps! – proper storage ensures you can enjoy it later. Store any remaining slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, a toaster oven or conventional oven works best to revive the crispness of the crust. This pizza also freezes exceptionally well. You can freeze an entire cooked pizza (after it has cooled completely) or individual leftover slices for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

💭 Top Tip for Efficiency: Pre-Cooked Bacon

For this homemade Perogy Pizza, one of my favorite time-saving tips is to use pre-cooked bacon, especially the kind found at Costco. This simple shortcut makes the entire cooking process significantly quicker and results in much less mess in your kitchen. Instead of frying raw bacon, dealing with grease splatters, and then cleaning up, you simply heat the pre-cooked bacon in the microwave for a few minutes until it’s warmed through and slightly crisped. Afterwards, you can easily pat away any excess fat with a paper towel, then chop it into pieces. This method delivers all the savory, smoky flavor and crispy texture of bacon without the usual hassle, allowing you to get your delicious pizza on the table faster!

🦺 Essential Food Safety Guidelines for Home Cooking

Ensuring food safety in the kitchen is paramount to prevent foodborne illnesses. Please keep the following guidelines in mind when preparing any meal, including this Perogy Pizza:

• Avoid Cross-Contamination: Never use the same utensils or cutting boards on cooked food that have previously touched raw meat without thorough washing.
• Hand Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling raw meat or raw ingredients.
• Temperature Control: Do not leave perishable food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods. Refrigerate or freeze promptly.
• Supervise Cooking: Never leave cooking food unattended, especially when using high heat or frying.
• Cooking Oils: Use oils with a high smoking point to prevent the formation of harmful compounds when cooking at high temperatures.
• Ventilation: Always ensure you have good ventilation when using a gas stove to dissipate cooking fumes and maintain indoor air quality.

For more comprehensive food safety guidelines, please refer to USDA.gov.

❔ Frequently Asked Questions About Perogy Pizza

Here are some common questions about making and enjoying Perogy Pizza, along with their answers:

This homemade Spicy Perogy Pizza recipe was an enormous hit with my family, combining beloved flavors in a uniquely satisfying way. I sincerely hope you and your loved ones enjoy making and devouring it as much as we do!

More Delicious Pizza Recipes to Explore

If you loved this Perogy Pizza, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other creative and flavorful pizza recipes. Here are a few more unique pizza ideas to inspire your next homemade pizza night: