The Great Pizza Debate: Sauce Or Cheese First?

Whether you're a fan of pineapple on pizza or not, we can all agree that the order of toppings is important. But which goes first on a pizza—sauce or cheese? While there are several ways to top a pizza, the traditional order is to put the sauce first, followed by cheese, and then toppings. This allows the cheese to bubble and brown, and the toppings to get direct heat and become crisp. However, there are exceptions to this order, such as Sicilian-style pizzas, which put cheese first, followed by sauce, to prevent the thick dough from becoming soggy.

Sauce then cheese is the traditional way

Sauce, then cheese, then toppings. This is the traditional way to make a pizza, and it's the way that most people will be familiar with.

Sauce goes first, directly onto the dough. This is practical as it's much easier to spread the sauce onto a blank pizza base than over cheese and toppings. The sauce also acts as a protective layer, preventing the crust from becoming soggy.

Next comes the cheese. This is the traditional order, and it has a few benefits. For one, it means the cheese will bubble and brown, giving it a deeper flavour and a crispy texture. It also means the toppings will get direct heat, becoming toasted and crisp. Putting cheese on top of the toppings would trap moisture in, leading to a soggy pizza.

Finally, the toppings go on top. This is the traditional way, and it makes sense aesthetically—you can easily see the colourful, fresh ingredients, making the pizza look more appetising.

Sauce, then cheese, then toppings. It's the classic way to make a pizza, and it ensures a great-looking and great-tasting result.

Cheese then sauce for a deeper flavour

There are several ways to layer the ingredients of a pizza, and the order in which you choose to assemble them can have a significant impact on the final flavour and texture. While the traditional method involves adding sauce, then cheese, and finally toppings, some pizza enthusiasts swear by the reverse order for a deeper flavour. Here are some reasons why you might want to consider putting cheese before sauce on your next pizza creation.

The primary benefit of placing cheese before sauce is that it protects the crust from becoming soggy. The cheese acts as a barrier, preventing the sauce's moisture from seeping into the dough and making it gummy. This technique is particularly useful for thicker, bread-like doughs used in Sicilian-style pizzas or deep-dish varieties. By putting the cheese first, you ensure that the crust remains crisp and cooked through.

Additionally, starting with cheese allows it to melt directly onto the crust, reducing the "cheese drag" phenomenon. "Cheese drag" occurs when a bite pulls the molten cheese off the pizza, resulting in a messy face and shirt. With the cheese placed directly on the crust, each bite is cleaner and more enjoyable. This method also exposes the sauce to more heat, causing it to thicken and intensify in flavour.

The order of ingredients also affects the visual appeal of the pizza. Putting toppings on top of the cheese showcases the fresh ingredients and creates an eye-catching display of colours. This approach is especially important in the context of "plating" a dish, making it more appetising to the diner.

Finally, placing certain toppings under the cheese can help prevent them from burning or drying out. Ingredients like dried oregano or spinach, which are more delicate, can be shielded by the cheese layer, ensuring they cook evenly without becoming overdone.

While the traditional method of sauce-then-cheese may be the standard for many pizzerias, experimenting with the ingredient order can lead to delightful flavour and texture combinations. The next time you make a pizza, consider trying the cheese-first method to see if it suits your taste buds and creates a deeper flavour profile that you enjoy.

Toasted toppings taste better

When making pizza, the order of the ingredients is crucial to the final result. While there is no single correct way to assemble a pizza, as traditions and tastes vary, the placement of toppings can significantly impact the flavour and texture of the final product.

One school of thought, supported by many pizza enthusiasts, is that toppings taste better when placed on top of the cheese. This arrangement allows the toppings to get a bit of toasting from the oven, which enhances their flavour and texture. For example, mushrooms placed under the cheese may become soggy and watery, while those placed on top emerge as wonderful, slightly toasted umami bombs. Similarly, toppings like bacon, pepperoni, and olives, which are relatively dry, benefit from being placed on top of the cheese, as they don't need the protection of the cheese to prevent them from drying out.

Additionally, placing toppings on top of the cheese can help to prevent the pizza from becoming watery. Covering toppings with cheese can trap moisture in, leading to a soggy pizza. By placing toppings on top, the heat of the oven can evaporate any excess moisture, resulting in a crispier, more appealing pizza.

Furthermore, aesthetics play a role in the placement of toppings. By placing the toppings on top of the cheese, the delicious, fresh ingredients are visible, contributing to the overall presentation of the dish. This is especially important in the case of traditional Neapolitan-style pizza, where the cheese is supposed to be light and stringy, while the toppings are allowed to be slightly crisp.

However, there are exceptions to this general rule. Toppings that burn or dry out easily, such as dried oregano, are placed under the cheese to prevent them from burning. Additionally, in certain styles of pizza, such as Chicago deep-dish or certain types of Sicilian, the cheese may be placed on top of the sauce to act as a protective layer, preventing the crust from becoming gummy.

In conclusion, while there are exceptions and variations depending on regional preferences and pizza styles, placing toppings on top of the cheese is generally recommended to achieve better flavour, texture, and appearance. This technique allows the toppings to toast slightly, evaporating moisture and creating a crispier, more appealing pizza.

Steaming toppings can cause sogginess

When making a pizza, the order of the ingredients is crucial to achieving the desired taste and texture. The traditional way is to put the sauce first, followed by cheese, and then the toppings. However, some people prefer to put cheese before the sauce, especially for "New York-style" pizza.

Putting cheese before the toppings is essential to avoid a soggy pizza. The cheese layer acts as a barrier, protecting the crust from the steam released by the toppings. When the cheese is on top, the steam escapes, leaving the crust crispy.

Some toppings, like mushrooms, release a lot of water when cooked. If these toppings are placed directly on the crust and covered with cheese, the water gets trapped, leading to a soggy pizza. To prevent this, it is advisable to precook or sauté water-rich toppings before placing them on the pizza.

Another tip to avoid sogginess is to use a thin layer of sauce. Too much sauce can cause the toppings to slide around, and the base may never reach the desired crispness. Straining the sauce to remove excess water is also recommended.

The type of cheese used also impacts the sogginess of the pizza. Fresh mozzarella, which is stored in liquid, releases a lot of moisture when cooked. For a crispier pizza, it is better to opt for dried mozzarella or other hard cheeses like cheddar.

In summary, to avoid a soggy pizza, assemble it in the following order: sauce, cheese, and then toppings. Precook or sauté water-rich toppings, use a thin layer of sauce, and choose cheeses with lower moisture content. By following these tips, you'll enjoy a delicious pizza with a crispy crust!

Some pizzas have cheese first

There are several types of pizza that have cheese as the first layer, including Sicilian-style pizzas, New York tomato pies, and pizzas from certain parts of the USA. For these pizzas, the cheese goes directly on the pizza crust, followed by the sauce. This method helps the crust cook better and prevents the base from becoming soggy.

The Sicilian pizza is deeper and cooked in a tray, almost like a Focaccia with toppings. It is traditional to put the cheese on first, followed by the sauce, and then the toppings. This method helps the thick, bread-like dough underneath to not become soggy.

Cheese as the first layer can also protect the crust from getting gummy. It melts right onto the crust, and you get little to no cheese drag. This means that when you take a bite, you won't have a blanket of hot molten mozzarella pulled off the slippery surface of the pizza and onto your face and shirt.

Putting cheese first also affects the sauce. The sauce is more susceptible to evaporation, so it tends to thicken and sweeten. This order is sometimes referred to as a tomato pie, and it is the preferred method in some New York joints.

Some people also prefer to put cheese first for practical reasons. For example, if you are making a pizza with ingredients that are very sensitive to hot, dry temperatures, you can put the cheese first and then add the toppings. This will protect the ingredients from the oven's heat.

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