Randy Chandler
When it comes to the question of whether real Italian pizza has cheese as a topping, the answer is not as straightforward as one might expect. While pizza is often associated with gooey, melted cheese, the presence of cheese on traditional Italian pizzas varies depending on the type of pizza and regional influences. Italian pizzas are known for their emphasis on fresh, simple, and high-quality ingredients, with each topping chosen to create a perfect balance of flavours. While some iconic Italian pizzas like the Margherita feature mozzarella cheese, others like the classic Marinara are equally beloved and do not include cheese at all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Fresh mozzarella, either from cow’s milk (Fior di Latte) or water buffalo milk (Mozzarella di Bufala). Other cheeses like gorgonzola, parmesan, and provolone are also used. |
| Base | Thin and crispy crust, baked in a wood-fired oven. |
| Dough | Made with Italian pizza flour (Type '00' category) with accurately proportioned yeast and salt seasoning. |
| Toppings | Tomatoes, basil, olive oil, garlic, oregano, anchovies, artichokes, ham, mushrooms, olives, capers, prosciutto, salami, black olives, Italian sausage, onions, peppers, meat (prosciutto, salami, or sausage), zucchini, eggplant, spinach, arugula, and pepperoni (which is bell peppers, not spicy salami). |
| Sauce | Tomato sauce. |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheese is not always a defining feature of traditional Italian pizza
- Pizza Marinara is a classic Neapolitan pizza that does not contain cheese
- Pizza Margherita is a traditional Italian pizza with cheese
- Authentic Italian pizza is about balancing fresh, simple ingredients
- Italian pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven to achieve a thin, crispy crust
Cheese is not always a defining feature of traditional Italian pizza
When we think of pizza, we often think of cheese as a central component. However, this common assumption might be surprising when it comes to authentic Italian pizza. Cheese, especially in large quantities, is not always a defining feature of traditional Italian pizza. In fact, some of the most authentic and beloved Italian pizzas do not include cheese at all. Instead, Italian pizza is about balancing fresh, simple ingredients that honour the roots of the dish.
Pizza Marinara is a classic Neapolitan pizza that is topped with tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, showcasing how flavourful simplicity can be. Even today, Pizza Marinara remains one of the most popular pizzas in Italy, especially among purists who appreciate its historic roots. The bold flavours of the toppings make cheese unnecessary, allowing the other ingredients to shine. This pizza is often topped with artichokes, ham, mushrooms, and olives, but cheese is not always included. In some versions, it is optional, keeping the focus on the varied and hearty toppings.
While Pizza Margherita and other cheese-topped pizzas are celebrated worldwide, many authentic Italian pizzas focus on other flavours and ingredients. When cheese is used in authentic Italian pizza, it is typically fresh mozzarella, either from cow's milk (Fior di Latte) or water buffalo milk (Mozzarella di Bufala). However, cheese is often used sparingly in Italy, with an emphasis on balance and the quality of each ingredient.
The beauty of pizza lies in its versatility. In Italy, pizza toppings can range from traditional combinations of mozzarella, tomato sauce, and pepperoni to more gourmet options like truffle oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and grilled chicken. Italian pizzas are not just dishes but a culinary heritage celebrated for their simplicity and freshness of ingredients. Each region in Italy has its own unique variations of pizzas, marked by local ingredients and culinary traditions, giving each pizza its distinct character.
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Pizza Marinara is a classic Neapolitan pizza that does not contain cheese
When we think of pizza, many of us imagine a dish loaded with cheese. However, this is not always the case with authentic Italian pizzas, which often showcase simple, fresh ingredients. In fact, some of the earliest forms of pizza, like the famous Pizza Marinara, do not contain any cheese at all.
Pizza Marinara is said to have originated in Naples as early as the mid-1700s or 18th century and was first baked for the marinai, or sailors. The quality of the ingredients is paramount, especially the tomatoes, which are typically San Marzano tomatoes grown in a specific area of Italy and known for their sweet flavour.
While Pizza Marinara is a cheese-free option, other classic Italian pizzas like the iconic Pizza Margherita do feature cheese, specifically Mozzarella di Bufala or fresh mozzarella. However, even when cheese is included, it is used sparingly in Italy, with a focus on balance and the quality of each ingredient.
At restaurants like Livia Bar and Grill, you can find both traditional cheese-topped pizzas like Margherita and cheese-free options like Pizza Marinara, showcasing the versatility and culinary heritage of Italian pizza.
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Pizza Margherita is a traditional Italian pizza with cheese
When it comes to authentic Italian pizza, cheese, especially in large quantities, is not always a defining feature. In fact, some of the most traditional and beloved Italian pizzas don't include cheese at all. Italian pizza is typically about balancing fresh, simple ingredients that honour the roots of the dish.
That being said, Pizza Margherita is a traditional Italian pizza that does include cheese. Pizza Margherita is a classic, iconic Italian pizza that represents the colours of the Italian flag: red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). This simple yet flavourful pizza is made with a few quality ingredients that express their natural flavour. It is a Neapolitan pizza that was created in Naples in 1889 in honour of Queen Margherita of Savoy.
Pizza Margherita is usually made with a thin and crispy crust, providing the ideal foundation for its expertly chosen toppings. The dough is made by mixing water, salt, and yeast with flour, and is then stretched outwards from the centre by the pizza maker. It is then topped and baked in a brick oven, although electric or gas ovens are also used.
The toppings on a Pizza Margherita typically include hand-crushed peeled tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, and mozzarella cheese (either buffalo mozzarella or fior di latte). The ingredients are chosen with care to create the perfect balance, enhancing the meal.
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Authentic Italian pizza is about balancing fresh, simple ingredients
When we think of pizza, we often think of cheese as a central component. However, this assumption might be surprising when it comes to authentic Italian pizza. Cheese, particularly in large quantities, is not always a defining feature of traditional Italian pizza. In fact, some of the most authentic and beloved Italian pizzas don't include cheese at all.
Instead, Italian pizza is about balancing fresh, simple ingredients that honour the roots of the dish. For example, the famous Pizza Marinara contains no cheese. This classic Neapolitan pizza is topped with tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, showcasing how flavorful simplicity can be. Even today, Pizza Marinara remains one of the most popular pizzas in Italy, especially among purists who appreciate its historic roots.
While some traditional Italian pizzas like the iconic Pizza Margherita feature Mozzarella di Bufala as a topping, many other authentic varieties do not include cheese. In fact, cheese is often used sparingly in Italy, with a focus on balance and the quality of each ingredient. When cheese is used in authentic Italian pizza, it’s typically fresh mozzarella, either from cow’s milk (Fior di Latte) or water buffalo milk (Mozzarella di Bufala).
The base of an authentic Italian pizza is also important. It is typically lighter, crispier, and thinner than other types of pizza. The dough is made with special Italian pizza flour (Type '00' category) and requires accurate proportions of yeast and salt seasoning. The dough is then rolled out and allowed to rest for at least 10 hours before being stretched and cooked in a wood-fired oven. This process gives the pizza its distinct flavour and texture.
In addition to the base and cheese, the toppings are what complete the romance of an authentic Italian pizza. Traditional Italian pizza toppings include fresh basil leaves, tomato sauce, and Mozzarella di Bufala cheese, representing the colours of the Italian flag. Other classic toppings include Prosciutto San Daniele, Provolone, artichokes, Italian sausage, salami, black olives, anchovies, and fresh tomatoes. The choice of toppings is endless, allowing for bold combinations of flavours and textures.
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Italian pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven to achieve a thin, crispy crust
While the image of a pizza topped with melted cheese is a common one, cheese is not always a defining feature of traditional Italian pizza. In fact, some of the most authentic and beloved Italian pizzas, like the Pizza Marinara, do not include cheese at all. Instead, Italian pizza is about balancing fresh, simple ingredients that honour the roots of the dish.
Italian pizza is often baked in a wood-fired oven to achieve a thin, crispy crust. The key to achieving this crust is to use a dough that doesn't require time to rise, roll it out thinly, and bake it at a high temperature. Here are some tips to achieve a thin, crispy crust:
- Use a thin-crust pizza dough recipe that doesn't require time to rise. This type of dough is typically made with active dry yeast, sugar, lukewarm water, and all-purpose flour.
- Roll the dough out thinly, to about 1/4-inch thick or less, using a rolling pin for an extra-thin crust.
- Preheat your oven to its highest temperature, ideally between 450-500°F (230-260°C).
- Use a preheated baking sheet or a pizza stone to bake the pizza. Place the baking sheet in the bottom third of your oven, where it's hotter, or follow the instructions for your pizza stone.
- Brush the baking sheet or pizza stone with olive oil to create a crispy crust.
- Parbake the crust for a few minutes before adding toppings to ensure the cheese doesn't burn before the crust is cooked.
- Bake the pizza for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy.
By following these steps, you can achieve a thin, crispy crust that is characteristic of Italian pizza.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends. While some traditional Italian pizzas like the Pizza Margherita feature cheese as a topping, many other authentic varieties do not include cheese.
Pizza Marinara is a classic Neapolitan pizza that does not contain cheese. It is topped with tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and olive oil.
Apart from the Pizza Margherita, other Italian pizzas that have cheese include Pizza Pugliese, Pizza Capricciosa, and Pizza Boscaiola.
When cheese is used in authentic Italian pizza, it’s typically fresh mozzarella, either from cow’s milk (Fior di Latte) or water buffalo milk (Mozzarella di Bufala). Other types of cheese used include provolone, pecorino, and parmesan.
Other common toppings on Italian pizzas include tomatoes, basil, olive oil, garlic, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and meat such as prosciutto, salami, or sausage.
