Pizza is starting to replace the traditional Christmas cheeseboard, as new research shows a clear shift in what people serve at festive get-togethers. The study suggests that informal sharing food now takes priority over classic seasonal staples.
Research from Dr. Oetker shows that 34% of people in the UK now include pizza as part of their Christmas spread. This places pizza ahead of other modern options and points to a change in festive eating habits.
The change is clear in hosting plans. Almost half of respondents, 44%, say they expect to serve pizza at a Christmas party this year. With fridge space often limited during the festive period, many hosts see frozen pizza as a practical option that can be stored easily while still offering good quality.
Traditional sit-down meals remain popular, with 59% saying they prefer hosting a full Christmas dinner. However, 34% now favour a more relaxed buffet of small sharing dishes. This style of hosting makes pizza a simple choice for groups.
People who choose pizza say it offers warmth, ease, and broad appeal. When asked why they would pick pizza over a cheeseboard, 50% say it suits everyone, while 40% say it takes less time and causes less stress. The results suggest a growing preference for food that is simple to serve but still feels special.
While cheeseboards still appear on some tables, they now compete with other options. Pizza now ranks ahead of items such as scotch eggs, chosen by 22%, and crudités, chosen by 18%, as a festive sharing food.
Amy Beresford, Senior Brand Manager at Dr. Oetker said:
“Hosting at Christmas is changing. People want food that everyone enjoys and that doesn’t take hours to prepare, which is exactly why pizza is becoming a festive favourite.
“With Dr. Oetker Suprema we’ve developed a range of artisanal quality pizzas that can be enjoyed any time, straight from the freezer meaning hosts can offer something delicious and high quality, that rivals chilled and takeaway pizza options, while keeping the focus on spending time with family and friends”
As hosting styles continue to shift towards simpler and more social occasions, pizza now plays a central role in festive food choices for many households.
Suprema is Dr. Oetker’s latest frozen pizza range, inspired by Neapolitan-style cooking and designed for home dining. The range focuses on delivering a pizzeria-style experience using frozen products.
The Suprema dough uses a sourdough base developed by Dr. Oetker’s dough specialists after research trips to Naples. The process includes slow fermentation over 24 hours and baking on a hot stone at high temperature to achieve a light and crisp crust.
This method produces an uneven, airy crust with light charring, reflecting the style found in Neapolitan pizzerias.
The pizzas use ingredients such as Emilia Romagna tomato passata, known for its colour and sweetness, along with Italian-inspired toppings. The range is available in three flavours: La Margherita, La Calabria, and La Romana.
For product samples or image requests, contact Suprema@wearebrazenpr.com.