Kamil Perry
The placement of pizza toppings—above or below the cheese—is a highly contested topic among pizza enthusiasts. While some argue that toppings should go on top of the cheese to avoid sogginess and enhance the appearance of the pizza, others believe that placing toppings under the cheese can prevent them from drying out and provide better flavour. Ultimately, the decision depends on various factors, including the type of topping, the desired taste, and regional preferences.
Pizza Toppings: Over or Under the Cheese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Placement of toppings | Placing toppings over the cheese allows them to be seen and identified easily. It also prevents the toppings from sliding off. |
| Putting toppings under the cheese acts as a glue to keep them in place. | |
| Tradition suggests that pepperoni goes on top of the cheese. | |
| Toppings that are prone to drying out, like mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini, should be placed under the cheese. | |
| Fatty meats, such as pepperoni, salami, sausage, Italian sausage, and chorizo, should go on top to prevent excess grease from being trapped under the cheese. | |
| For Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, the suggested order is cheese, toppings, more cheese, and then sauce. | |
| In North America, most pizza places put cheese under the toppings unless the customer requests extra cheese, in which case all the cheese is loaded on top. |
Explore related products
![Fit Meal Prep [200 Pack] Pizza Saver Stand - White Plastic Tripod Stack for Restaurant Container, Catering boxes and Food Take Out Service](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71tI3bduWuL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Fatty meats should go on top of the cheese
Fatty meats like salami, sausage, Italian sausage, and chorizo should go on top of the cheese. These meats have enough oils and durability to withstand the heat of a hot oven. If fatty meats are placed under the cheese, the fat will render out and become trapped under the cheese, adding extra grease and moisture to the pizza. This can make the pizza soggy and less satisfying to eat.
Placing fatty meats on top of the cheese also allows them to cook properly and enhances the appearance of the pizza. The high heat of the oven will cause the meat to release essential oils, enhancing the flavor and creating the characteristic crispy edges of meats like pepperoni. This placement also ensures that the meat is easily visible, allowing eaters to identify their toppings.
In addition, fatty meats can act as a topping that holds the pizza together. Placing them on top of the cheese helps to keep the cheese and other toppings from sliding off, especially if the pizza has a thicker crust. This technique is especially useful for meats that need to be fully cooked, ensuring they receive direct heat from the oven.
However, it is important to note that the placement of toppings also depends on the type of pizza and personal preference. For example, in Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, the suggested order is to layer the cheese, then toppings, followed by more cheese, and finally, the sauce. In contrast, Detroit-style pizza adds the sauce on top. Experimenting with different topping placements can help determine the best method for a particular pizza.
Pizza Hut's Ham and Cheese Sandwich: A Tasty Treat?
You may want to see also
Less fatty proteins should go under the cheese
Whether pizza toppings should go over or under the cheese depends on a few factors, including the type of topping, the crust, and personal preference. While some toppings are best placed over the cheese, less fatty proteins should go under the cheese.
Less fatty proteins like chicken and shrimp can dry out quickly if cooked on top of the cheese. Therefore, placing them under the cheese can help retain their moisture and prevent them from drying out. This technique is commonly used in local MN 'sota-style pizzas. By placing these toppings under the cheese, the cheese acts as insulation, protecting the toppings from direct heat and preventing them from drying out.
Additionally, placing less fatty proteins under the cheese can also enhance the overall texture of the pizza. If these toppings are placed on top, they may release moisture during cooking, which can then get trapped between the cheese and the sauce. This can result in a soggy pizza crust, negatively impacting the texture and taste.
Furthermore, placing less fatty proteins under the cheese can also act as a "glue" to hold the toppings in place, especially for thicker crusts. The cheese helps to keep all the toppings together, preventing them from sliding off the pizza. This technique ensures that the pizza holds together well and maintains its structural integrity.
It is worth noting that while less fatty proteins are generally recommended to go under the cheese, there may be exceptions depending on personal preference and the specific combination of toppings used. Some people prefer to see their toppings, and placing them over the cheese allows for better visual presentation. However, for those who prioritize flavor and texture consistency, placing less fatty proteins under the cheese is the optimal choice.
Cheese Pizza: Unhealthy Indulgence or Diet Disaster?
You may want to see also
Moisture-rich vegetables should go on top of the cheese
When it comes to pizza toppings, the age-old question arises: should they go over or under the cheese? While it ultimately depends on personal preference, there are some key considerations when it comes to moisture-rich vegetables. To avoid a soggy pizza, it is generally recommended to place these toppings on top of the cheese.
Vegetables, being mostly water, can release a lot of moisture when cooked. If placed under the cheese, this moisture gets trapped, resulting in a soggy pizza. By placing moisture-rich vegetables on top, the heat of the oven allows the moisture to evaporate, preventing a soggy mess. This is especially important for thin-crust pizzas, where the crust is more susceptible to sogginess.
However, there is an exception to this rule. If you dry out the vegetables before adding them to the pizza, they can be placed under the cheese without creating a soggy mess. This method is often used for Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, where the toppings are layered between two layers of cheese, followed by the sauce on top. This allows the cheese to act as insulation, preventing the crust from getting soggy while still cooking the vegetables.
Additionally, placing toppings on top of the cheese has visual appeal. It allows you to easily identify each topping and know exactly what you're getting. This can be important for those who like to see their toppings and ensure they're getting their money's worth.
In conclusion, when it comes to moisture-rich vegetables, it's generally best to place them on top of the cheese. This allows the moisture to evaporate, preventing a soggy pizza. However, if you prefer your vegetables well-cooked, placing them under the cheese after drying them can be an option, especially for deep-dish pizzas. Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal preference and the desired taste, texture, and appearance of your pizza.
Cheese Pizza: A Classic Favorite, But Why?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dry vegetables can go under the cheese
Whether pizza toppings should go over or under the cheese depends on a few factors, including tradition, appearance, and common sense. For example, pepperoni is traditionally placed on top of the cheese, allowing it to cook just enough to release its essential oils, enhancing the pizza's flavor and appearance. Similarly, fatty meats like salami, sausage, Italian sausage, and chorizo are placed on top of the cheese to prevent the fat from rendering out and making the pizza greasy.
However, there are instances where placing toppings under the cheese is preferable. Dry vegetables, such as zucchini, onions, peppers, and mushrooms, can be placed under the cheese to prevent them from drying out or turning soggy. This technique is especially useful for thin-crust pizzas, as it helps to insulate the vegetables from direct heat while still cooking them sufficiently. Additionally, placing dry vegetables under the cheese can act as a "glue," holding the toppings in place, which is advantageous for thicker crusts where the cheese is a structural component.
For Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, the suggested order is to layer the cheese, then toppings, followed by more cheese, and finally, the sauce. This allows the toppings to be insulated from direct heat while still cooking thoroughly during the long bake time. However, for Detroit-style pizza, the sauce is added on top of the cheese and toppings.
Ultimately, the decision to place dry vegetables under the cheese depends on personal preference and the desired cooking outcome. Placing them under the cheese can help retain moisture and act as a glue for the toppings, but it may also impact the overall flavor and appearance of the pizza. Experimenting with different techniques and ingredient combinations can help determine the best approach for a particular pizza creation.
Vegan Options at Pizza My Heart: Cheese and More
You may want to see also
Extra cheese should be loaded on top of all toppings
In addition, placing cheese on top of the toppings can help to prevent a soggy pizza. For example, moisture-rich vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms should be placed on top of the cheese to allow moisture to evaporate. If vegetables are placed under the cheese, the released moisture gets trapped and creates a soggy crust.
Furthermore, placing toppings such as pepperoni, salami, sausage, Italian sausage, and chorizo on top of the cheese allows them to get crispy and enhances the appearance of the pizza. This is also true for onions, which become more flavourful when placed on top as they get slightly browned.
Finally, extra cheese on top of the toppings can act as a "glue" to hold all the ingredients together and prevent them from sliding off the pizza. This is especially important for thicker crusts, where the cheese is a structural component.
The Many Mouth-Watering Pizza Types at Chuck E. Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of topping and the style of pizza. For example, for a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, the suggested order is to layer the cheese, then toppings, followed by more cheese, and finally, sauce.
Some toppings are placed under the cheese to prevent them from drying out in the oven. For example, fresh mushrooms on a thin-crust pizza should go under the cheese to prevent them from turning into flavourless pieces of cardboard.
Some toppings are placed over the cheese to allow moisture to evaporate. For example, moisture-rich vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms are placed on top of the cheese.
Toppings like pepperoni, salami, sausage, Italian sausage, and chorizo go on top of the cheese on a Detroit-style pizza. The hot oven will force the pepperoni to leak greasy fat and curl the edges to a crisp.
On a Mexican pizza, the toppings like chorizo slices and cilantro go on top of the cheese.
