Invite the girls to a pizza party

Dish out fun at a make-your- own-pizza party that puts a new spin on the cheesy treat. Your friends will love customizing their own pies, and you’ll love how easily it comes together!

Prep your pizzas— easily

To make it simple for guests to create their own personal-sized pizzas, pick up refrigerated pizza dough at the supermarket and flatten into 6" circles. Place each dough round on a square of parchment paper. Next, set out bowls of sauce, cheese and toppings. Along with traditional offerings like pepperoni, basil, mushrooms and tomatoes, consider including unexpected options like goat cheese, arugula, pesto sauce and asparagus. Place the pies on a cookie sheet (you’ll fit two pies on a standard cookie sheet) and bake according to instructions on the pizza dough package.

Inspire creativity with a toppings and treats bar

Guests won’t be able to resist a buffet filled with Italian appetizers, desserts and clever pizza toppings, like this one styled by party pro Jessica Roe ( Everydaypartymag.com). To get the look, top a table with a gingham tablecloth. Next, turn two crates on their sides and use as space-saving shelves for cups, plates, utensils, toppings and more. Add the first course to the front of the table: caprese salad, bread, dipping oil and cheese. When guests finish, simply remove the empty platters to create space for pizza making.

Serve up smiles with a flavorful beer flight

While guests wait for their pies to bake, keep them entertained with a beer tasting! The brew’s acidity and subtly bitter flavor will cleanse their palates before they indulge in pizza. Offer up four varieties of beer (pale lagers, stouts and amber and brown ales pair particularly well with pizza). Pour each beer into a juice glass and line them up from lightest to darkest. Allow guests to pick their favorites and offer them a full-size glass to enjoy with their meal. Tip: For an authentic touch, add an Italian beer like Peroni or Moretti to your flight.

Add a pop of pretty with fresh-picked accents

With their bright labels and eye- catching illustrations, tomato cans are just too pretty to toss. Instead, follow the lead of entertaining expert Dawn Smith ( Revelandglitter.com) and put them to use as party decor. For an accent that’s as delicious as it is adorable, fill small cleaned- out cans with cherry tomatoes and large cans with fresh basil, so guests can grab the ingredients to use on their pizza! Also smart: Fill cans with water and add red blooms for a lovely look.

Send them home smiling with DIY pizza totes

At her pizza party, Smith gave each of her guests cardboard pizza-making kits filled with dough, small containers of sauce and toppings and a mini rolling pin. But you can use the cardboard totes as to- go containers! To do: Simply set several cardboard totes (like Kraft Gable Boxes, $ 5 for 10, Hobbylobby.com) on a table along with parchment paper and aluminum foil for guests to wrap leftover slices in. Consider adding a slip of paper with these easy reheating instructions: Heat a skillet over a medium flame, add the pizza, cover loosely with a lid and cook for 2 minutes for a crisp crust and gooey, melted cheese.