There's no denying that pizza is the perfect party food, letting groups of any size pull up a chair and take a slice or two of their own. But when you're looking to feed a crowd, it can be difficult to know exactly what size pizza to order. If you order too much, you'll have leftovers for days, and if you order too little, your guests will be hungry and unhappy.
That's why we've put together this fast and easy-to-use resource. Take a look at the different sizes outlined below and choose the one that best fits your needs. And don't forget: Never skimp on the toppings!
Looking for a way to keep your pizza hot and ready for your guests? Learn how to keep pizza warm in the oven.
Table of Contents
8-Inch Pizzas
An 8-inch pizza, also known as a personal pizza, is the perfect choice if you're planning on enjoying a dinner for one. While it's smaller than the other options, it will offer plenty of food for a single person and probably even leave you with leftovers. The best thing about personal pizzas is that the toppings are much less expensive. That lets you make your own pizza the way you want it, even if your favorite toppings are anchovies and pineapple.
To give you an idea of how big an 8-inch personal pizza is, it's about the size of a dinner plate. For a thick crust, this should leave you with enough food to fill even a hearty appetite. For thin crust, it should still satisfy a single person as long as you add a topping or two.
Total Cost: $7 for cheese, plus 50 cents per topping
Servings: Serves one
Slices and Price Per Slice: 4 slices, at $1.75 per slice
10-Inch Pizzas
A 10-inch pizza is one of those in-between sizes that doesn't appear on every pizza menu. However, it can be a great option for two people who each have a light appetite or for a small crowd who just want a snack. Keep in mind that a 10-inch pizza is usually cut into six decently-sized pieces, so it's a good option if you're serving 2, 3, or 6 people. While it isn't quite big enough to make a meal by itself for more than one person, 10-inch pizzas can be the perfect choice if you want to order several pizzas with different toppings. Two pizzas can feed a group of three, while three pizzas can feed a group of six.
Total Cost: $11 for cheese, plus 75 cents per topping
Servings: serves one to two
Slices and Price Per Slice: 6 slices at about $1.80 per slice
12-Inch Pizzas
You'll be able to find 12-inch pizzas on most pizzeria menus since they're one of the most common options for couples looking to share a pie. Usually labeled “medium” by restaurants, they're a good go-to option, leaving enough for two people, with some leftovers for those with smaller appetites. If you're looking to serve a crowd of four or more, you'll probably have to order two or even three, letting you provide a range of toppings.
The other benefit of the 12-inch medium pizza is that the toppings are still relatively affordable, even though the pizza is much larger than a small personal pizza. At about $1 per topping, you can load up with two or three without breaking the bank. Or, if you prefer plain cheese, you'll be able to save a bit of extra money.
If you have leftovers, make sure you take proper care when reheating them.
Total Cost: $13 for cheese, plus $1 per topping
Servings: serves two
Slices and Price Per Slice: 8 slices at about $2.10 per slice
14-Inch Pizzas
A 14-inch pizza is bigger than a medium but not quite a large, making it another of those in-between pizza sizes. However, you shouldn't let this turn you off from ordering one of your own, as there are a few specific cases where a 14-inch pizza is a perfect choice. While it is not quite enough food for three people (unless they're all light eaters), it can be if you want to order some breadsticks, pasta, or dessert to enjoy on the side. Alternatively, if you're hosting a group of five, two 14-inch pizzas will offer just the right portion size, leaving two slices per person.
Don't forget to keep the crust's thickness in mind when determining portion sizes. As a general rule of thumb, stick with two slices of thick crust per serving or three to four slices of thin crust.
Total Cost: $15 for cheese, plus $1 per topping
Servings: serves two to three
Slices and Price Per Slice: 10 slices at $1.50 per slice
16-Inch Pizzas
A 16-inch pizza is the classic “large” size and is the go-to choice for those looking to feed a crowd or a small family. You can expect it to be enough food to feed about three people, even without sides. It is also the perfect amount of food for families with two adults and two children, offering an affordable and delicious meal.
When hosting a party, order one 16-inch pizza for every four guests. Even though one pizza usually serves three, you'll find that not all of your guests will eat quite as much as others. Especially if you have other snacks available, it should make the perfect amount of food.
Total Cost: $16.25 for cheese, plus $1.25 per topping
Servings: serves three
Slices and Price Per Slice: 10 slices at about $1.63 per slice
18-Inch Pizzas
Dubbed "extra-large" pizzas, 18-inch pizzas are reserved for those with big appetites or plenty of mouths to feed. It feeds four full-grown adults or a family with two adults and three children. Of course, it's also an ideal option for parties of all shapes and sizes. If you have snacks and other food available, an 18-inch pizza can feed up to 6 people.
One factor to keep in mind when ordering an 18-inch extra-large pizza is that the slices themselves will be much larger and possibly difficult to handle. This can be fun if you're expecting it, but if you want slices that are a bit easier to manage, you might be better off ordering two 12-inch pizzas instead.
Total Cost: $18.50 for cheese, plus $1.25 per topping
Servings: serves four
Slices and Price Per Slice: 12 slices at $1.50 per slice
Or, rather than ordering out, you can make pizza at home. Try our recipe for keto flourless pizza crust.
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