Patrick Oconnell
Ordering pizza without cheese is possible and is a great option for those who are vegan, allergic to dairy, or simply do not like cheese. While some people consider pizza without cheese to be unusual, it is a valid option offered by many pizza chains, including Pizza Hut and Domino's. Additionally, pizza marinara, a traditional Neapolitan dish, is an authentic pizza without cheese, topped only with tomato sauce and seasonings.
Is it possible to order a pizza with no cheese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility | Yes, it is possible to order a pizza with no cheese. |
| Pizza Chains | Pizza Hut, Domino's, Pizza Pizza, Panago Pizza, Pizzafari, Wolfgang Puck, Cosmos Caffe, and more. |
| Crust | Gluten-free, herb-flecked, Neapolitan, and more. |
| Sauce | Tomato, tangy tomato, sun-dried tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, smoked paprika, and more. |
| Toppings | Capers, olives, caramelized onions, anchovies, garlic, oregano, basil, and more. |
| Taste | Some people enjoy pizza without cheese, while others dislike it. |
| Health | Vegan cheese is high in fat and highly processed. |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza chains that offer cheese-free pizza
Yes, it is possible to order a pizza with no cheese. In fact, some people prefer it that way! While it is true that cheese adds fat and texture to a pizza, it is not an essential ingredient. Traditional pizzas, in fact, did not have any cheese. The oldest pizza served in pizzerias, the Marinara, does not have any cheese.
There are several pizza chains that offer cheese-free pizzas. Here are some of the popular ones:
Mod Pizza
Mod Pizza, founded in 2008 in Seattle, is a firm favourite across the US, with locations in multiple states, including around 70 in its home state and more than 110 in Texas. Each of its restaurants offers a “build-your-own pizza” model, and there are plenty of plant-based toppings to choose from, including dairy-free cheese, plant-based sausage, gluten-free crust, and veggies.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza, with over 300 locations across the United States, offers vegan cheese and a spicy vegan chorizo option. They also offer a gluten-free crust upon request.
Pieology
Pieology offers "fun" and "flavorful" vegan pizza options. Their menu includes Daiya vegan cheese, vegan beef meatballs, spicy Italian vegan sausages, BBQ sauce, and veggie toppings like jalapeños, mushrooms, and roasted peppers.
Papa Murphy's
With more than 1,000 locations across the country, Papa Murphy’s is another favourite spot for many in the US. They have partnered with Violife to offer vegan cheese on its Garden Veggie pizza and create-your-own options.
ZPizza
ZPizza is one of the biggest national pizza chains offering Daiya, a popular vegan cheese. They also have an entire vegan menu, which includes the Mega-Veggie Pizza, the Thai Dye Pizza, and the Gluten-Free Veg Out Pizza.
Pie Five
With nearly 100 locations, mostly throughout the south and in California, Pie Five has vegan cheese and a ton of veggies to choose from. They also offer a gluten-free crust and a crust made from cauliflower.
Independent pizzerias
If you're in New York, look for Screamer’s Pizzeria in Brooklyn. Blackbird Pizzeria in Philadelphia and Cruzer Pizza in Los Angeles are also popular vegan pizzerias.
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What is considered a pizza?
Pizza is a beloved dish for many, but what exactly defines it as "pizza"? The term "pizza" was first recorded in 997 AD in a Latin manuscript from the southern Italian town of Gaeta, in Lazio, on the border with Campania. However, records of pizza-like foods can be found throughout ancient history. For example, in the 6th century BC, Persian soldiers of the Achaemenid Empire baked flatbreads with cheese and dates on their battle shields.
In its modern form, pizza is typically associated with Italy, specifically Naples, and is considered a dish consisting of a flat base of leavened wheat-based dough, topped with tomato, cheese, and other ingredients, baked at a high temperature, often in a wood-fired oven. The dough is usually circular, but Sicilian-style pizza is baked in a rectangular pan. 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.
While the traditional view is that pizza includes cheese, some argue that this is not necessary. For example, vegan pizzas often omit cheese, substituting it with other ingredients like caramelized onions cooked in miso, or mashed tofu. Additionally, some people prefer their pizzas without cheese, and recipes for such pizzas focus on enhancing the aroma, texture, and flavor of the other components.
Ultimately, the definition of "pizza" is flexible and depends on context and personal preference. While some may argue that a flat dough with toppings is not a pizza, others may contend that as long as it is recognized and communicated as pizza, it qualifies as one.
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The history of pizza
Pizza is an Italian dish with a flat dough-based base and toppings. The word "pizza" was first documented in 997 CE in Gaeta, Italy, but similar flatbread dishes have been prepared since ancient times. In the 6th century BCE, Persian soldiers baked flatbreads with cheese and dates on their battle shields. In ancient Greece, citizens made a flatbread called plakous, which was flavoured with toppings such as herbs, onions, cheese, and garlic. Another term for this type of flatbread was placentae, which were pastries made of flour, cheese, oil, and honey.
Modern pizza evolved from similar flatbread dishes in Naples, Italy, between the 16th and mid-18th centuries. By the late 18th century, it was common for the poor in the area around Naples to add tomatoes to their yeast-based flatbread, and thus the pizza began. The pizza marinara is the oldest pizza served in pizzerias and does not include cheese. It is named "marinara" because it was traditionally prepared by the seaman's wife for her husband upon returning from fishing trips in the Bay of Naples.
Pizza became popular in the United States before it became popular in Italy, thanks to the large wave of Italian immigrants who arrived between 1880 and 1920. In 1905, the first pizzeria in the United States was established in New York City's Little Italy, and it still exists today. Pizza's popularity in the US can also be attributed to its association with American culture, just like blue jeans and rock and roll.
Today, pizza is enjoyed worldwide, and its toppings reflect local tastes and preferences. For example, pizzas in Curaçao may be topped with Gouda cheese, while in Brazil, hard-boiled eggs are a common topping. Different styles of pizza have also emerged, such as New York-style, Neapolitan, Detroit-style, and Chicago deep-dish pizza.
While cheese is a common topping on pizza, it is not a necessary ingredient. Traditional pizzas did not have any cheese, and there are several alternatives to create delicious pizzas without cheese, such as using plant-based cheese, caramelized onions, or mashed tofu.
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Alternatives to cheese on pizza
It is possible to order or make a pizza without cheese. In fact, the original pizza, the Marinara, does not have any cheese. It is topped with tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and usually basil.
There are several alternatives to cheese on pizza, and most are vegan. If you are making a pizza at home, you could try a bechamel sauce, which is not vegan but is dairy-based. You could also try a vegan cheese substitute, although these can be hit and miss. Some melt and brown like cheese, but others don't, and they can be goopy, plasticky, and artificial-tasting. However, some newer vegan cheeses are cashew-based and have passed the melt test, so it is possible to find good vegan cheese alternatives.
If you are not concerned about the pizza being vegan, you could try whisked egg, which was once a common substitute for cheese on pizza. You could also try ricotta, which, while technically a cheese, does not have the texture or taste of one.
If you are making a pizza at home, you could also try to make the base more flavorful. For example, you could use an herb-flecked dough or a malted dough, or add toppings like capers and olives, which offer notes of salt and vinegar that can make up for the absence of cheese.
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Ordering pizza without cheese in-restaurant vs. take-out
Ordering a pizza without cheese may seem like an unusual request, but it is entirely possible and increasingly common. Whether you are dining in a restaurant or ordering takeout, there are several options for customising your pizza to suit your preferences.
When ordering pizza without cheese, it is essential to consider the toppings and sauces that will compensate for the absence of cheese. For instance, you can add extra vegetables, such as peppers, onions, mushrooms, or broccoli, to enhance the flavour and texture of the pizza. Caramelised onions cooked in miso can even serve as a substitute for cheese, providing a similar soft, stretchy, and rich consistency. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of sauces, such as tangy tomato sauce or pureed sun-dried tomatoes with smoked paprika, to create a more complex and satisfying flavour profile.
If you are dining in a restaurant, it is generally easier to customise your pizza order. You can directly communicate your preferences to the server, who can advise the kitchen staff of your request. It is advisable to be clear and specific about your requirements, ensuring that the kitchen staff understand your order accurately. Some restaurants may even offer dairy-free crusts and sauces, accommodating various dietary restrictions and preferences.
On the other hand, when ordering takeout, you may encounter some challenges in communicating your request. It is always advisable to double-check your order before finalising it to ensure that your request for a cheese-free pizza has been understood correctly. Some pizza chains, such as Pizza Hut, are known for accommodating special requests and offering dairy-free options. MOD Pizza, for example, is praised for its attention to guests with allergies and special diets, offering a variety of sauce and topping options.
Whether you are dining in a restaurant or ordering takeout, it is essential to be mindful of the pizza establishment's policies and capabilities. While some places may be more accommodating of special requests, others may have limitations. It is always beneficial to be flexible and understanding while clearly communicating your preferences.
In conclusion, ordering pizza without cheese is a viable option, whether you are dining in a restaurant or ordering takeout. With careful consideration of toppings and sauces, you can create a delicious cheese-free pizza that suits your tastes. Remember to be clear and specific about your request, and don't be afraid to ask about the availability of dairy-free options.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to order a pizza with no cheese. Many pizza places offer pizzas without cheese, and some have vegan cheese as an alternative.
There are many reasons why someone might want to order a pizza with no cheese. Some people are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, while others may prefer the taste of pizza without cheese. Some people may also choose to order a pizza with no cheese for health reasons, as cheese can be high in fat and calories.
There are several alternatives to cheese on a pizza. Some people choose to add extra toppings, while others may prefer to use a dairy-free cheese alternative. Some people also like to add olive oil, herbs, and spices to their pizza for extra flavor.
Yes, there are a few popular pizzas that are traditionally made without cheese. The Neapolitan-style pizza marinara is topped with only tomato sauce and seasonings. This style of pizza is considered a true and authentic pizza, even without the cheese.
