How Many Varieties of Pizza Are There?
Pizza is a beloved dish that has captured the hearts and taste buds of people all around the world. With countless combinations of crusts, sauces, cheeses, and toppings, it’s no wonder there are such wide different pizza varieties to explore.
This article will discover some of the most popular styles and toppings that make this dish incredibly diverse and customizable.
Classic Italian Pizzas
Margherita Pizza
The Margherita pizza is a classic Italian pizza with a simple yet delicious combination of ingredients. This pizza was created in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889 by pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito.
Features the colors of the Italian flag:
- red tomatoes
- white mozzarella
- green basil
The critical ingredients for a Margherita pizza include:
- a thin crispy crust
- high-quality tomatoes
- fresh mozzarella cheese
- basil leaves
- a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
To make an authentic Margherita pizza, use fresh, high-quality ingredients and do not add extra things.
Neapolitan Pizza
Neapolitan pizza is the traditional pizza style originating from Naples, Italy. Known for its thin, chewy crust and minimal toppings, Neapolitan pizza is the epitome of Italian simplicity and elegance.
The main difference between Margherita and Neapolitan pizzas lies in the ingredients.
- While Margherita pizza has a specific combination of toppings, Neapolitan pizza encompasses any pizza made in the traditional style of Naples.
- Both pizzas have the same flour, water, salt, and yeast crust.
Popular American Pizzas
Pepperoni Pizza
Pepperoni pizza is a favorite among Americans, featuring a tomato sauce base, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni slices. The pepperoni is an American invention of Italian salami with a spicier flavor profile.
Many people eat pepperoni pizza in pizzerias nationwide. You can add extra toppings to make your pizza taste different.
Hawaiian Pizza
Despite its name, Hawaiian pizza was created in Canada in the 1960s by Sam Panopoulos. This pizza has a lot of ingredients in it. It has tomato sauce, cheese, ham, and pineapple. Some people like it and others don’t.
The debate over whether pineapple belongs on pizza continues today. But Hawaiian pizza remains popular for those who enjoy its unique taste.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
The BBQ Chicken pizza exemplifies how non-traditional sauces can create delicious and innovative pizza varieties. This pizza swaps out the traditional tomato sauce for a tangy barbecue sauce. It is topped with cooked chicken, red onions, and mozzarella cheese.
An excellent BBQ Chicken pizza has the right mix of flavors in the barbecue sauce and works well with the other ingredients.
Special Pizzas
Meat Lovers Pizza
The Meat Lovers pizza is perfect for those who need more meaty toppings. This pizza is loaded with various types of meat, such as pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham.
It is typically made with a tomato sauce base and plenty of mozzarella cheese. Using high-quality meats to make a Meat Lovers pizza with good ingredients is essential. Also, ensure they are cooked well to avoid too much grease.
Vegetarian Pizza
Vegetarian pizza options cater to those who prefer a plant-based meal, offering a selection of fresh and flavorful vegetable toppings. Some popular vegetarian toppings include mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, tomatoes, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
To create a delicious and satisfying vegetarian pizza, use a variety of textures and flavors that complement each other. You can also experiment with different sauces, such as pesto or alfredo, to add even more depth to your veggie pizza.
Unique Pizza Styles
Sicilian Pizza
Sicilian pizza has roots in Sicily, Italy, and is characterized by its thick, square-shaped crust that provides a hearty base for the toppings. This style of pizza focuses on the dough. Typically it is made with a blend of flour, water, yeast, and olive oil.
Sicilian pizza is often topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings like onions, anchovies, or olives. The thickness of the crust makes Sicilian pizza particularly filling and satisfying.
White Pizza
White pizza, also known as pizza Bianca, is a unique pizza that doesn’t use tomato sauce to make it. It uses cheese instead.
The base of a white pizza typically consists of ricotta and mozzarella cheese. It combines garlic, olive oil, and herbs like rosemary or thyme. The result is a creamy, flavorful pizza that pairs well with different toppings, such as spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or grilled chicken.
Regional Favorites
Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza
Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a thick, hearty pizza originating in Chicago, Illinois. A deep-dish pizza has a thick, buttery crust baked in a big pan. It is usually filled with cheese, sauce, and extra toppings.
In a Chicago-style pizza, the cheese is placed directly on the crust, followed by the toppings and then the sauce. This layering technique helps to prevent the crust from becoming soggy and ensures that the pizza can support its generous helping of ingredients.
New York Style Pizza
New York-style pizza is famous for its thin, foldable crust and large, wide slices. This style of pizza originated in New York City and is often sold by the slice, making it a popular choice for a quick and delicious meal.
New York-style pizza typically features a tomato sauce base and a generous layer of mozzarella cheese. Still, you can customize it with various toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, or vegetables.
To recreate the iconic New York-style pizza at home, use high-gluten flour for the crust and bake it at a high temperature.
Dietary-Friendly Pizzas
Gluten-Free Pizza
For anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, gluten-free pizza is a fantastic option for everyone to enjoy this beloved dish. Gluten-free pizza crusts are made using alternative flours that do not contain gluten, such as rice, almond, or tapioca flour.
Today, many pizzerias offer gluten-free crusts, and you can buy gluten-free pizza at the store or make it yourself if you want. To make a tasty gluten-free pizza, use high-quality ingredients and try different crust recipes until you find one you like.
Vegan Pizza
Vegan pizza is a type of food that is made without meat, eggs, or dairy products. It comes in many different styles and flavors, all plant-based. Vegan cheese, made from plant-based ingredients like nuts or soy, can replace mozzarella. Plant-based meat substitutes, like seitan or tempeh, can give a meat-like texture when used in dishes.
You can put vegetables on a vegan pizza, like mushrooms, peppers, onions, and olives, and other plant-based ingredients, like artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and fruit. To make a yummy vegan pizza, you must use good vegan cheese that melts well and different toppings with different tastes and textures.
Gourmet Pizza Varieties
Truffle Pizza
Truffle Pizza is a luxurious and decadent pizza variety that highlights the earthy, aromatic flavors of truffles. The key ingredients in a truffle pizza include truffle oil or truffle paste, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, and fresh arugula.
To put the truffle in a pizza, you can drizzle oil after it is cooked or mix some truffle paste into the sauce, cheese, or base. Use only a few truffle products because too much can make the food taste too strong.
Fig and Prosciutto Pizza
The Fig and Prosciutto pizza is a unique and delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors. This gourmet pizza features fig jam or fresh figs, thinly sliced prosciutto, creamy goat cheese, and fresh arugula.
To create a balanced Fig and Prosciutto pizza, you must put different things in it. To enhance this flavor pairing, consider drizzling the pizza with a balsamic glaze or honey after baking.
Pizza Toppings from Around the World
Japanese-Style Pizza
Japanese-inspired pizza toppings showcase the unique flavors of Japanese cuisine while incorporating traditional pizza elements. Popular ingredients for Japanese-style pizzas include teriyaki chicken, seaweed, eel, and Japanese mayonnaise.
To make a Japanese-style pizza, use a teriyaki sauce or blend mozzarella and Japanese-style cheese instead of tomato sauce.
Indian-Style Pizza
Indian-style pizza is a fusion of Indian cuisine and traditional pizza, featuring bold, aromatic spices and flavors. Popular ingredients for Indian-style pizzas include tandoori chicken, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), and tikka masala sauce.
To make an Indian-style pizza, use a spicy tomato sauce or add Indian spices like cumin and coriander to the dough. Add Indian-inspired toppings like spinach, chickpeas, or pickled vegetables.
Pizza Baking Techniques and Equipment
Brick Oven Pizza
Brick oven pizza is a type of pizza that is cooked in a special oven made of clay and fire. It has a crunchy, charred crust and a smoky flavor. Using a brick oven to make pizza is better because it keeps the bread warm and evenly cooks it. It also tastes better.
To make a pizza like the ones you buy in a brick oven, you can use a special oven known as a stone or steel. It cooks the food evenly and quickly.
Pizza Stones and Pizza Steels
Pizza stones and steels are popular tools for baking pizza at home, providing even heat distribution and helping create a crispy crust.
Pizza Stones
- Pizza stones are made from natural ingredients and used to heat them in the oven. They absorb moisture from the pizza dough and transfer heat evenly to the crust, producing a crispy and evenly-cooked pizza.
- Pizza stones are usually cheaper than pizza steel and can be used in different ovens, including gas and electric.
- Pizza stones are best suited for home cooks who want an affordable and versatile tool for making great pizzas in their home oven.
Pizza Steels
- Pizza steels are made out of heavy metal and are used to heat them in a stove or oven before eating. They are excellent at retaining heat and can help to create an extra-crispy crust.
- Pizza steels are more expensive than pizza stones but are more durable and can last a lifetime with proper care.
- Pizza steels are suitable for pizza lovers who want to buy an excellent tool to make their home-cooked pizza taste great.
To keep your pizza stone or steel clean, let it cool completely before brushing it off with a brush or scraper, and do not use water to clean it. This can damage the surface and leave behind lingering tastes.
FAQ
What is the difference between Margherita and Neapolitan pizzas?
Both pizzas originate from Italy, but Margherita refers explicitly to a pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil.
In contrast, Neapolitan pizza is a broader category, encompassing any pizza made in the traditional style of Naples, which typically includes a thin, chewy crust and simple toppings.
Is Hawaiian pizza really from Hawaii?
Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada in the 1960s by Sam Panopoulos. He added pineapple to a pizza, and people liked it so much that he started making it independently. Despite its name, it does not have any direct connection to Hawaii.
What makes a pizza crust gluten-free?
Gluten-free pizza crusts are made using alternative flours that do not contain gluten, such as rice, almond, or tapioca flour. These crusts cater to people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, allowing them to enjoy pizza without adverse effects.
Can I find vegan pizza at most pizzerias?
Many pizzerias now offer vegan options, including plant-based cheeses, meat substitutes, and vegetable toppings. However, availability may vary depending on the location and the pizzeria’s menu offerings.
How can I make my homemade pizza healthier?
To make a healthier pizza, choose a whole-grain or thin crust, and use a tomato-based sauce with less sugar and salt.
Also, add lots of vegetables as toppings, and use lean protein sources like grilled chicken. You can also use part-skim mozzarella or a smaller amount of cheese.
What is the difference between New York-style and Chicago-style pizza?
New York-style pizza is characterized by its thin, foldable crust and large, wide slices. On the other hand, Chicago-style pizza, also known as deep-dish pizza, features a thick crust baked in a deep pan with layers of cheese, toppings, and sauce.
The two styles cater to different preferences regarding crust thickness and overall pizza construction.
Wrap It Up
The world of pizza is vast and varied, with countless combinations of crusts, sauces, cheeses, and toppings to suit every taste and preference. From classic Italian pizzas like the Margherita and Neapolitan to popular American favorites like pepperoni and Hawaiian, there are endless ways to enjoy this universally loved dish.
Specialty pizzas, unique styles, and regional favorites offer even more opportunities to explore the diverse world of pizza. In contrast, dietary-friendly options like gluten-free and vegan pizzas ensure everyone can partake in this delicious meal.
As you experiment with new pizza styles and toppings, you’ll discover limitless possibilities, making pizza one of the planet’s most versatile and enjoyable dishes.
