Andy Montoya
Pizza is a beloved dish around the world, but what exactly defines a pizza? For many, gooey cheese comes to mind as an essential topping. However, this assumption may be challenged when it comes to authentic Italian pizza. While some traditional Italian pizzas like the iconic Pizza Margherita feature cheese, many other varieties do not include it. In fact, cheese is often used sparingly in Italy, with a focus on balance and the quality of each ingredient. The earliest forms of pizza, such as the famous Pizza Marinara, did not contain any cheese at all. So, is it still pizza if there's no cheese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is pizza without cheese considered a pizza? | Yes, it is considered a pizza. |
| Is it vegan? | Yes, if the dough and toppings are also vegan. |
| Is it tasty? | Yes, it is packed with flavor. |
| Is it healthy? | Yes, it is a healthier alternative to pizza with cheese. |
| Is it common? | Yes, it is one of the three official authentic Neapolitan pizzas. |
| Is it served hot? | No, it is served at room temperature. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Pizza Marinara is a traditional Italian pizza that does not have any cheese
- Authentic Italian pizzas focus on balancing fresh, simple ingredients and cheese is often used sparingly
- Cheeseless pizzas are a great vegan option
- Some people believe that pizza without cheese is not real pizza
- Pizza without cheese is recognised as one of the three official authentic Neapolitan pizzas
Pizza Marinara is a traditional Italian pizza that does not have any cheese
Pizza Marinara, also known as Pizza alla Marinara, is a traditional Italian pizza that does not contain any cheese. It is one of the three official variants of traditional Neapolitan pizza, along with Pizza Margherita. The pizza is believed to have been invented in Naples in 1734 at Pizzeria Port'Alba, which is considered the oldest pizzeria in the world.
The key ingredients of Pizza Marinara are dough, tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil. The dough is typically made with type 0 or type 00 wheat flour, fresh (not dry) yeast, water, and salt. The olive oil is drizzled over the pizza to finish, and the pizza is baked at very high temperatures (about 900°F) in a wood-burning dome oven for no more than 90 seconds. The traditional Neapolitan-style pizza has a thin, soft crust with a bit of bubbling and charring.
The history of Pizza Marinara is quite interesting. It is said that the pizza was originally ordered commonly by poor sailors and made on their ships due to its simple and easily preservable ingredients. The name "marinara" is derived from the fact that it was the food fishermen ate when they returned home from fishing trips in the Bay of Naples.
Pizza Marinara is a popular option for those following a vegan or dairy-free diet, as it does not contain any animal products. It is a testament to how delicious a pizza can be, even without cheese, and showcases the importance of the quality of the ingredients used.
Cheese Pizza: Healthy or Unhealthy Indulgence?
You may want to see also
Authentic Italian pizzas focus on balancing fresh, simple ingredients and cheese is often used sparingly
The idea of pizza without cheese might seem unusual to many, as melted cheese is often considered an essential component of this beloved dish. However, when we delve into the history of pizza, we find that cheese was not always a central element, and even today, some of the most authentic Italian pizzas focus on balancing fresh, simple ingredients, with cheese used sparingly, if at all.
The origins of pizza can be traced back to the streets of Naples, Italy, in the 19th century, where it started as a simple and quick meal for the working class. The classic Pizza Napoletana, also known as Pizza Marinara, is believed to be one of the oldest types of pizza, and it does not traditionally include cheese. Instead, it features a combination of tomatoes, virgin olive oil, garlic, basil, salt, and sometimes oregano, all atop a thin, yeast-based flatbread. The name "Marinara" comes from the fact that it was a meal commonly eaten by fishermen returning from their trips in the Bay of Naples.
Authentic Italian pizzas prioritize the harmony of fresh, high-quality ingredients, allowing each element to shine without being overwhelmed by heavy toppings or large amounts of cheese. When cheese is included, Italians typically use fresh mozzarella, such as Fior di Latte (made from cow's milk) or Mozzarella di Bufala (made from water buffalo milk). These cheeses are known for their delicate flavour and creamy texture, adding a touch of richness without overpowering the other flavours.
The approach to cheese in Italian pizzas differs significantly from the American style, where cheese often takes centre stage, with thick layers covering the other toppings. In Italy, cheese is used more sparingly, as a supporting player that enhances the overall flavour profile without dominating it. This philosophy aligns with the concept of "less is more," where the simplicity of fresh ingredients takes precedence, creating a lighter and more digestible meal.
Today, with the rise of veganism and dietary restrictions, cheese-less pizzas are regaining popularity. Vegan pizzas, for example, omit all animal products, including cheese, and often feature creative combinations of plant-based ingredients. Whether it's a traditional Italian pizza or a modern vegan creation, the absence of cheese invites a focus on the interplay of fresh, simple ingredients, showcasing the beauty of restraint in culinary creations.
Deep Dish Pizza: Is It All About the Cheese?
You may want to see also
Cheeseless pizzas are a great vegan option
The earliest forms of pizza, like the famous Pizza Marinara, did not contain any cheese. This classic Neapolitan pizza is topped with tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. It is named "Marinara" because it was the food fishermen ate when they returned home from fishing trips in the Bay of Naples. Even today, Pizza Marinara remains one of the most popular pizzas in Italy, especially among purists who appreciate its historic roots.
When it comes to making your own vegan, cheeseless pizza, the process is straightforward. You can use store-bought dough or make your own using a stand mixer. Both regular and gluten-free dough recipes are naturally vegan. For the toppings, you can add vegetables, such as sautéed onion strips, bell pepper strips, and sliced mushrooms, or halved cherry tomatoes. You can also add spices like red chili flakes, garlic, and minced onion to give your pizza a kick.
So, if you're looking for a vegan pizza option, don't be afraid to give cheeseless pizzas a try! They are a delicious, flavourful option that honours the traditional roots of pizza while also offering versatility to suit your taste preferences.
Mozzarella for Pizza: Finding the Perfect Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Some people believe that pizza without cheese is not real pizza
It's true that some people believe that pizza without cheese is not real pizza. After all, when most people think of pizza, they imagine gooey, melted cheese as an essential topping. However, this assumption might be surprising when it comes to authentic Italian pizza, where cheese is not always a defining feature. In fact, some of the earliest forms of pizza, like the famous Pizza Marinara, contain no cheese at all.
Pizza, as it first appeared in Naples, Italy, in the 1800s, was more of a humble flatbread with simple toppings. These toppings often included tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and various herbs. It was only in 1889 that cheese was added as a topping. The Marinara is the oldest pizza served in pizzerias and does not feature any cheese. Instead, it is topped with tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and usually basil.
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 Italy, the focus is on balancing fresh, simple ingredients that honour the roots of the dish, with cheese playing more of a supporting role.
For vegans and those who are lactose intolerant, cheese-free pizzas are a delicious option. Vegan pizzas without cheese are packed with flavour and easy to make, and some people even prefer them to their dairy-containing counterparts. With a variety of toppings like sautéed vegetables, red chili flakes, garlic, and minced onion, a vegan pizza can be just as tasty as a traditional cheese pizza.
Mod Pizza: Non-Dairy Cheese Options Explored
You may want to see also
Pizza without cheese is recognised as one of the three official authentic Neapolitan pizzas
Pizza without cheese is a recognised variety of pizza, and is, in fact, the oldest form of pizza. The addition of cheese to pizza is a more recent innovation. The oldest pizza served in pizzerias, the Marinara, does not contain any cheese. It is topped with tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and basil.
The Marinara is recognised as one of the three official authentic Neapolitan pizzas, along with the Margherita and the Pizza Napoletana. The Margherita is typically topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil. Parmesan cheese is also a popular addition. The Pizza Napoletana, or Verace Pizza Napoletana, is characterised by a soft, thin dough with high edges. The tomatoes are traditionally either San Marzano tomatoes or pomodorini del Piennolo del Vesuvio, and the cheese is traditionally mozzarella di bufala campana or fior di latte di Agerola.
The Marinara is a yeast-based flatbread topped with tomato, which was first prepared in the late 18th century by poor people in Naples. The addition of cheese to pizza is believed to have occurred later, with the first cheese used likely being mozzarella, a type of cheese originating from southern Italy, possibly Naples.
Today, pizza without cheese is often enjoyed by vegans, who exclude all animal products from their diets.
Cheese Pizza: Carb Count and Nutrition Facts
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, pizza without cheese is still considered a pizza. In fact, some of the earliest forms of pizza, like the famous Pizza Marinara, contain no cheese at all.
Pizza Marinara is a classic Neapolitan pizza topped with tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. Another example is the Rhode Island staple, pizza strips, which are rectangular slices of focaccia-style bread topped with spicy tomato sauce.
There are many recipes for vegan pizzas without cheese, which include toppings such as red chili flakes, garlic, minced onion, halved cherry tomatoes, sautéed onion strips, bell pepper strips, and sliced mushrooms.
Someone might want to make a pizza without cheese if they are vegan or lactose intolerant. Others may prefer the taste of pizza without cheese, as cheese can sometimes overpower the other ingredients.
