5 Domino's Menu "Ways" You Can Make Even Better with an Ooni

There's genius in Domino's menu development - their flavor combinations have been tested and refined to appeal to millions of customers worldwide. The pepperoni and sausage balance, the sweet and tangy sauce profiles, the cheese blends that melt perfectly under commercial oven conditions - these aren't accidents. They represent decades of food science and consumer testing distilled into reliable, craveable combinations.

But what if you could take that proven flavor intelligence and elevate it with artisan ingredients and the superior cooking environment of a 950°F Ooni pizza oven? This approach combines the best of both worlds: the familiar, crowd-pleasing taste profiles that make Domino's successful with the quality and techniques that make restaurant pizza memorable. These aren't just copycat recipes - they're inspired upgrades that honor the original while pushing the boundaries of what home pizza making can achieve.

Way #1: The "Upgraded" Philly Cheese Steak Pizza

Domino's Philly Cheese Steak pizza succeeds because it captures the essence of the iconic sandwich in pizza form: tender steak, melted cheese, sautéed peppers and onions, all on a sturdy crust that can handle the substantial toppings. The challenge with most homemade versions is achieving the proper steak texture and preventing the vegetables from releasing too much moisture during cooking.

Domino's Version: The Foundation

Standard approach: Pre-cooked sliced steak, provolone cheese, green peppers, onions, and a garlic parmesan white sauce base. The ingredients are applied cold and cooked together in a 460°F conveyor oven, relying on steam and indirect heat to warm the steak and melt the cheese.

Ooni Version: The Artisan Upgrade

Game-changing technique: Sear real ribeye steak in a cast-iron skillet placed directly in your preheated Ooni. The 950°F ambient temperature turns your pizza oven into the world's most powerful stovetop, creating a perfect sear in 2-3 minutes. Remove the steak, let it rest, then slice thin and use as your pizza topping.

The complete upgrade:
• Fresh ribeye steak, seared and sliced
• Aged provolone and sharp white cheddar blend
• Fire-roasted bell peppers (roasted directly in the Ooni)
• Caramelized onions (slow-cooked earlier in the day)
• Truffle-infused garlic oil base
• Fresh thyme finishing

The Technique Advantage

The Ooni's intense heat allows you to pre-cook elements that would overcook or dry out in a conventional oven. Searing the steak separately ensures perfect doneness, while fire-roasting the peppers adds smoky complexity impossible to achieve with raw vegetables. The final assembly cooks in 60-90 seconds, preserving the integrity of each component while melting everything into perfect harmony.

Way #2: The "Gourmet" Pacific Veggie

The Pacific Veggie represents Domino's approach to satisfying vegetarian customers with a combination that's substantial and flavorful rather than just "pizza without meat." The original combines roasted red peppers, baby spinach, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and feta cheese, creating a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that appeals to both vegetarians and omnivores.

Domino's Version: Reliable Vegetarian Appeal

Standard approach: Pre-cut vegetables, bottled roasted red peppers, standard feta, and fresh spinach applied to a tomato sauce base. The vegetables steam-cook during the baking process, relying on moisture retention rather than caramelization for flavor development.

Ooni Version: Fire-Roasted Perfection

The fire-roasting advantage: Use your Ooni as a vegetable roasting chamber before making pizza. Char red peppers and onions directly over the flame until they develop deep, smoky flavors and concentrated sweetness. Roast mushrooms until their moisture evaporates and their umami intensifies.

The gourmet upgrade:
• Fire-roasted red and yellow bell peppers
• Flame-charred red onions
• Roasted cremini and shiitake mushroom blend
• Fresh spinach wilted with garlic
• Heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
• Bulgarian feta and fresh mozzarella
• Herbed olive oil base with oregano and basil

Flavor Development Through Fire

The key to all these 'Ways' is the versatile, high heat that only a pro-grade oven can provide. You can see a full comparison of the different ooni pizza models, from the wood-fired Fyra to the gas-powered Koda, right here. Each vegetable develops different characteristics when exposed to direct flame: peppers become sweet and smoky, onions caramelize beautifully, and mushrooms develop concentrated, meaty flavors that transform the entire pizza experience.

Way #3: The "Artisan" Chicken Bacon Ranch

Perhaps no pizza combination is more universally loved in American delivery than chicken bacon ranch. Domino's version succeeds because it balances richness with familiarity - the ranch provides creamy comfort, bacon adds smoky fat, and chicken offers substantial protein. The challenge in upgrading this classic lies in enhancing each element without losing the approachable appeal that makes it so popular.

Domino's Version: Comfort Food Mastery

Standard approach: Pre-cooked chicken pieces, standard bacon bits, bottled ranch dressing as sauce, and mozzarella cheese. The components are designed for consistency and speed, with flavors that complement rather than compete with each other.

Ooni Version: Elevated Comfort

The protein upgrade: Grill chicken thighs (not breasts) in your Ooni using a cast-iron pan or grill grate. The high heat and direct flame create superior flavor while the thigh meat stays juicier than breast meat. Cook thick-cut artisan bacon until crispy, then crumble for texture contrast.

The artisan transformation:
• Wood-fired grilled chicken thighs, cubed
• Thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, crumbled
• House-made ranch with fresh herbs and buttermilk
• Aged white cheddar and fresh mozzarella blend
• Caramelized onions for sweetness balance
• Fresh chives and black pepper finishing
• Light drizzle of hot honey for complexity

The Ranch Revolution

Making ranch from scratch takes 5 minutes and transforms the entire pizza. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, fresh dill, chives, garlic, and onion powder. The fresh herb flavors pop against the smoky, fire-cooked proteins, while the hot honey drizzle adds unexpected sophistication that elevates comfort food into gourmet territory.

Way #4: The "Deluxe" Meat Lovers Supreme

The meat lovers concept represents maximum indulgence in pizza form - multiple proteins creating layers of flavor and texture that satisfy the most carnivorous appetites. Domino's ExtravaganZZa succeeds by balancing different meat types and textures: pepperoni for spice, sausage for herbs, ham for saltiness, and beef for richness. The upgrade opportunity lies in sourcing better meats and using the Ooni's heat to develop each protein's individual character.

Domino's Version: Maximum Meat Strategy

Standard approach: Pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, and beef with standard mozzarella and tomato sauce. The proteins are pre-cooked and designed to heat evenly in commercial ovens without overcooking or drying out during the relatively long bake time.

Ooni Version: Charcuterie Board Pizza

The artisan meat selection: Source each protein from specialty suppliers and prepare them to highlight individual characteristics. Use the Ooni's intense heat to quickly sear fresh elements while crisping cured meats to perfect texture.

The deluxe upgrade:
• Calabrian pepperoni with natural casing
• House-made Italian sausage with fennel
• Prosciutto di Parma (added after cooking)
• Pancetta, diced and crisped in the Ooni
• Fresh mozzarella and aged Parmesan
• San Marzano tomato sauce
• Fresh basil and oregano
• Hot honey drizzle for heat balance

Timing and Technique for Multiple Proteins

The Ooni's 60-second cook time requires strategic protein placement. Put slower-cooking elements like pancetta and sausage directly on the dough, while reserving delicate items like prosciutto to add after cooking. The intense heat crisps pepperoni edges beautifully while the natural casings create those coveted "cups" that hold spicy oil.

Way #5: The "Gourmet" Hawaiian Paradise

The Hawaiian pizza remains one of the most polarizing yet popular combinations in pizza history. Domino's version works because it balances the sweetness of pineapple with the saltiness of ham, creating a sweet-savory profile that appeals to many palates. The upgrade opportunity lies in using better ham, preparing the pineapple properly, and adding elements that bridge the flavor gap between fruit and meat.

Domino's Version: Sweet and Salty Classic

Standard approach: Diced ham, canned pineapple chunks, mozzarella cheese, and tomato sauce. The simplicity works because the contrasting flavors are clear and the sweetness provides comfort food appeal that transcends the controversy.

Ooni Version: Tropical Sophistication

The pineapple game-changer: Grill fresh pineapple slices in your Ooni until caramelized and slightly charred. This concentrates the sweetness while adding smoky complexity that pairs beautifully with cured meats. The fire treatment transforms pineapple from controversial topping to gourmet ingredient.

The paradise upgrade:
• Fire-grilled fresh pineapple, diced
• Prosciutto or Canadian bacon, high-quality
• Fresh mozzarella and smoked gouda blend
• Coconut oil-infused pizza sauce
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Fresh jalapeños for heat balance
• Cilantro and lime zest finishing
• Toasted coconut flakes (after cooking)

Balancing Tropical Flavors

The key to elevating Hawaiian pizza lies in balancing sweetness with heat and acidity. The jalapeños provide spice that complements the pineapple's sweetness, while lime zest adds brightness that cuts through rich cheese and meat. Toasted coconut flakes, added after cooking, provide textural contrast and reinforce the tropical theme without overwhelming the foundational flavors.

Mastering the Ooni Technique for Menu Ways

Success with these upgraded recipes depends on understanding how the Ooni's extreme heat changes cooking dynamics. Unlike conventional ovens that cook slowly and evenly, the 950°F environment creates rapid surface reactions while preserving ingredient integrity. This means you can achieve restaurant-quality results with home equipment, but timing and placement become critical.

Pre-cooking Strategies

Many of these Ways benefit from pre-cooking certain elements. Use your Ooni's residual heat for roasting vegetables, searing proteins, or caramelizing onions before the main pizza session. This staged approach maximizes flavor development while ensuring everything finishes cooking simultaneously during the final 60-90 second pizza bake.

Ingredient Timing and Placement

Learn to think in terms of cooking zones and timing requirements. Dense vegetables go directly on the dough, proteins that need browning go in the center where heat is most intense, and delicate items like fresh herbs or prosciutto get added after cooking. This systematic approach ensures every ingredient reaches its optimal state without overcooking others.

Beyond the Ways: Building Your Own Combinations

Once you've mastered these Domino's-inspired upgrades, you'll have developed the skills and confidence to create original combinations that surpass anything available through delivery. The principles remain the same: balance flavors and textures, use the Ooni's heat to develop ingredients individually, and respect the 60-90 second cooking window by preparing elements appropriately.

The real value in these menu Ways isn't just recreating familiar flavors with better ingredients - it's learning the fundamental techniques that transform home pizza making from imitation to innovation. Use the menu as your inspiration, but let your Ooni take you places that delivery simply cannot reach.

Every pizza becomes an opportunity to experiment, improve, and create memorable experiences that go far beyond the convenience of delivery. This is how you transform familiar comfort foods into personal culinary adventures, one perfectly fired pizza at a time.