Patrick Oconnell
Pizza is a beloved dish worldwide, but what if you can't or don't want to eat cheese? The good news is that you can still enjoy pizza without it! While some may argue that pizza without cheese isn't real pizza, the traditional pizza of Naples, the pizza marinara, does not include cheese. It is typically topped with tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and basil. There are many other delicious cheese-free pizza options to explore, whether you're looking for dairy-free alternatives or simply want to reduce the amount of cheese in your diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pizza | Neapolitan, Sicilian, Roman, focaccia, marinara |
| Toppings | Tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, basil, chilli flakes, onion, mushrooms, pineapple, aubergine, pitted olives, red onion, tomato puree, pepper, rosemary, potatoes, olive oil, salt, cherry tomatoes, beef steak tomatoes, summer squash, peppers, navy bean spread, green and black olives, roasted red bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pesto, butternut squash, white mushrooms |
| Base ingredients | Wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, butter, salt, buttermilk, curd, tomato sauce, chilli sauce, chilli flakes, mixed herbs |
| Base preparation | The dough should be smooth and well-kneaded, rested for a minimum of 2 hours, and baked at 425 for 10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
- Pizza Marinara: a traditional Neapolitan version with tomato sauce, oregano, garlic, olive oil and basil
- White sauce: a replacement for cheese, made with wheat flour and milk
- No cheese, no plain flour, no yeast: a pizza made on a tawa, an Indian griddle
- Toppings: caramelised onions, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, basil, and chilli flakes
- Pizza Bianca: topped with thinly sliced potatoes, olive oil, rosemary and salt
Pizza Marinara: a traditional Neapolitan version with tomato sauce, oregano, garlic, olive oil and basil
Pizza Marinara, also known as pizza alla marinara, is a traditional Neapolitan pizza that does not contain cheese. It is supposedly the oldest tomato-topped pizza, dating back to around 1735. The name 'marinara' comes from the fact that it was the food fishermen ate when they returned home from fishing trips in the Bay of Naples.
To make a pizza marinara, start by preparing the dough. Roll the dough ball into a large pizza circle (around 20-25 cm/8-10", depending on your preferred thickness) for your pizza crust. Place the dough in the oven to pre-cook for around 12 minutes.
Next, make the pizza sauce. Fry some garlic with olive oil over medium heat for about 30 seconds in a large pan. Add the tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes with a lid on. Then, add salt, pepper, and sugar and stir for a couple of minutes. Finally, add the oregano, stir well, and switch off the heat.
Now it's time to assemble the pizza. Use parchment paper or a baking sheet to transfer the pizza to the oven without it collapsing. Sprinkle some semolina/polenta (or flour) on the baking sheet. Spread the pizza sauce on the dough, leaving the crust untouched. Scatter slices of garlic and a pinch of oregano using a circular motion over the tomato sauce. Finally, add some basil leaves.
When you are ready to bake the pizza, ensure the oven is as hot as possible. Carefully transfer the pizza to the oven and bake for about 9 minutes.
There are many variations of pizza that can be made without cheese. For example, you could make a herby focaccia with a marinara sauce or a pizza bianca topped with thinly sliced potatoes, olive oil, rosemary, and salt.
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White sauce: a replacement for cheese, made with wheat flour and milk
Pizza is a dish that has evolved over time, with traditional pizza not featuring any cheese. In modern times, pizza is often synonymous with cheese, but there are ways to make a delicious pizza without it.
One way to make a pizza without cheese is to use a white sauce made from wheat flour and milk as a replacement. This sauce is known as Béchamel sauce in France and is believed to be one of the four basic sauces from which all other sauces are derived. To make the sauce, you will need to melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add an equal amount of wheat flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes, ensuring the mixture does not brown. Slowly add milk while whisking until you achieve a smooth, thick, and bubbly consistency. You can season with salt, pepper, and garlic to taste.
The white sauce provides a creamy base for your pizza, and while it may not have the same gooey texture as cheese, it can be a tasty alternative. It is important to note that the dough for the pizza base should be smooth and well-kneaded to activate the gluten and achieve the desired texture. The dough should be rested for at least 2 hours before baking.
When making a pizza with a white sauce, be mindful of the sauce-to-topping ratio. Without cheese, toppings may slide off more easily. You may also need to bake the pizza for a longer period, depending on your preference.
For a dairy-free option, you can substitute dairy milk with plant-based milk and add dairy-free cheese alternatives or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour.
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No cheese, no plain flour, no yeast: a pizza made on a tawa, an Indian griddle
To make a pizza without cheese, flour, or yeast, you can use a tawa, an Indian griddle. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Ingredients
Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the dough, you will need flour—preferably 00 flour—water, salt, and olive oil. You can also add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and cornmeal for extra flavour and crunch. For toppings, you can use fast-cooking vegetables such as mushrooms, pineapple, onion, olives, aubergine, and tomato. You will also need tomato sauce and some dried herbs like basil and oregano.
Dough
To make the dough, start by mixing your dry ingredients. Add the flour, salt, and any dry seasonings you wish to include. Then, slowly add water and olive oil to form a dough. You can knead the dough by hand or use a bread maker with a dough setting. Once the dough is formed, you can set it aside to rest while you prepare your toppings.
Toppings
For a no-cheese pizza, you can get creative with your toppings. Chop your chosen vegetables into small pieces. You can also add some protein, such as paneer, to make it more filling. Remember to choose vegetables that cook quickly and avoid those with high boiling temperatures. You can also sauté or partially cook your vegetables before adding them to the pizza to ensure they are properly cooked.
Cooking
Once your dough and toppings are ready, it's time to cook your pizza on the tawa. Start by heating the tawa on low heat. Roll out your dough to a size that fits the tawa. Prick the dough with a fork to prevent it from fluffing up too much. Place the dough on the heated tawa and cook for a few minutes until the bottom is slightly crispy. Then, flip the dough and add your toppings, starting with the tomato sauce and dried herbs, then adding your chosen vegetables. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and cook until the bottom is crispy and the toppings are heated through.
And there you have it! A delicious, cheesy-free, no-yeast, and no-plain-flour pizza made on a tawa. Enjoy the flavours of your creative, healthy pizza!
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Toppings: caramelised onions, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, basil, and chilli flakes
Cooking Pizza Without Cheese
While some people may argue that pizza without cheese isn't pizza, the traditional pizza did not have any cheese. The oldest pizza served in pizzerias, the Marinara, does not have any cheese. It is topped with tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and basil.
Caramelised Onions
Slice a couple of medium-sized yellow (sweet) onions. Melt some butter in a wide, heavy-bottomed skillet. Add the onions to the skillet, stirring them until they are coated in the melted butter, and cook over medium heat until they are soft, sticky, and brownish orange in colour. Pour in some broth and stir until the liquid has reduced, creating a saucy consistency. Let the onions cool before using them as a pizza topping.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are a fast-cooking pizza topping that highlights the flavour of summer tomatoes. Before baking, transfer the tomatoes to a medium bowl and roughly crush them by hand. Season to taste with salt and set aside. Cherry tomatoes can be cooked briefly on the pizza, allowing them to soften and intensify in flavour.
Mushrooms
It is recommended to cook mushrooms before putting them on the pizza to prevent them from drying out. Clean the mushrooms and slice them. In a saute pan or skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil to medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, chopped herbs, and a quarter teaspoon of kosher salt, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the mushrooms are tender, reduce the heat to low and add lemon juice.
Garlic
Garlic can be used both as a base and a topping for pizza. For a garlic base, steep olive oil with garlic for 10 minutes. For a topping, slice the garlic.
Basil
Sprinkle dried basil over the pizza before baking, or add fresh basil leaves on top of the pizza after baking.
Chilli Flakes
Add chilli flakes to your pizza for a burst of flavour and a mild spicy kick.
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Pizza Bianca: topped with thinly sliced potatoes, olive oil, rosemary and salt
Pizza Bianca, topped with thinly sliced potatoes, olive oil, rosemary, and salt, is a delicious and simple pizza recipe. This pizza is a twist on the classic Italian recipe, which is usually topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. However, leaving off the cheese makes this a vegan-friendly pizza option.
To make this pizza, start by slicing your potatoes. Aim for thin, uniform slices, and use a mandoline slicer or food processor to achieve this. Place the potato slices in a bowl of salty water and soak for 30 minutes to an hour. This softens the potatoes so they get nice and creamy-tender in the oven. Drain the potatoes and toss them with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and, if desired, pepper, minced onion, and chopped fresh rosemary.
Next, prepare the dough. Stretch it out, ensuring it doesn't tear, and fold it over the top of itself. Rotate the bowl and repeat to encase the salt, yeast, and oil in the dough. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch through the dough, creating 5 or 6 sections. Repeat the folding process 6 or 7 more times to fully mix the dough. After 30 minutes, repeat the folding process again (but not the pinching). Lightly coat the dough and bottom of the bowl with olive oil, then place the dough in the bowl, seam side down. Cover and let rise until it's 2 1/2 to 3 times its original volume, which should take around 11 hours.
Once the dough has risen, stretch or roll it out to a 12- to 14-inch round or a 12-by-14-inch rectangle for a classic Roman-style pizza. Transfer the dough to an oiled baking sheet or a lightly floured pizza peel. Prick the dough all over with a fork to prevent large bubbles from forming in the oven.
Now it's time to assemble the pizza. Spread the potatoes in an even layer on top of the dough, ensuring the potato slices go all the way to the edges. Sprinkle with another pinch or two of salt and a grind or two of black pepper. Optionally, you can also drizzle on some more olive oil.
Finally, it's time to bake the pizza. Place the pan directly onto a pizza stone or steel and bake at 500˚F (260˚C) or the hottest your oven can be set for 14 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and beginning to brown. If desired, reset the oven to broil (grill) and place the pizza on the top rack to make the potatoes a little more brown and crispy. Transfer the pizza to a cutting board and serve in generous rectangles. Enjoy your delicious, cheesy-free Pizza Bianca!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to make pizza without cheese. In fact, traditional pizza did not have any cheese. Pizza marinara, for example, is a traditional Neapolitan version that's just tomato sauce on a crust.
You can use pasta white sauce as a replacement for cheese. It won't have the same gooey texture, but it's close in terms of taste.
You can use a variety of toppings on a pizza without cheese, such as tomatoes, basil, garlic, mushrooms, onions, and olives. Caramelized onions, in particular, add a robust depth of flavor to your pizza.
To make the pizza dough, mix 2 cups of wheat flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of butter, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Then, add 3/4 cup of buttermilk and mix well. Alternatively, you can add 1/4 cup of curd.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Shape your pizza dough and place it on a baking sheet or in a cast iron skillet. Spread your desired sauce over the dough and add your chosen toppings. Bake for 10-20 minutes, or until the crust is slightly browned.
