Authentic Italian Pizza vs. American Pizza

Do you know the differences?

BY VICKI MARTINEZ


 

Authentic Italian Pizza vs. American Pizza

Do you know the differences?

BY VICKI MARTINEZ

 

Originally sold as flatbreads with cheese and toppings by Italian street vendors in Naples, the pizza we know and love today has melted its way into hearts (and stomachs) around the globe. Over the last 150 years—yes, our beloved “Za” has been around that long—new recipes and renditions have emerged, adjusted to suit the tastes of the time.

Although seemingly subtle, there are some distinct differences between American-style and authentic Italian pizza. Below we chart the characteristics of each unique cuisine.


 

THE CRUST

Italian

Authentic Italian pizza crust is made only two ways: a crisp, cracker-thin crust or Neapolitan style. The dough texture requires a long fermentation time. To achieve the tell-tale char of Neapolitan style, the pizza is baked at 550 degrees.

American

From deep-dish and stuffed-crust to flatbread and foldable New York-style—not to mention a variety of flavored crusts—there are many pizza possibilities. We must also give a noteworthy nod to that compressed cruciferous: cauliflower crust.

pizza dough


pizza dough

THE CRUST

Italian

Authentic Italian pizza crust is made only two ways: a crisp, cracker-thin crust or Neapolitan style. The dough texture requires a long fermentation time. To achieve the tell-tale char of Neapolitan style, the pizza is baked at 550 degrees.

American

From deep-dish and stuffed-crust to flatbread and foldable New York-style—not to mention a variety of flavored crusts—there are many pizza possibilities. We must also give a noteworthy nod to that compressed cruciferous: cauliflower crust.

pizza sauce

THE SAUCE

Italian

An Italian pizza sauce recipe calls for pureed or pulped tomatoes (San Marzano tomatoes are preferred), olive oil, garlic and oregano, plus salt and pepper. Traditionally, the ingredients are combined, and the sauce is applied to the crust raw, not cooked.

American

The base of American pizza sauce is a slow-cooked combination of tomatoes, herbs and olive oil. Ingredients like garlic, onions and parmesan may or may not be added. American pizza sauce often has tomato paste and sugar, also.


pizza sauce

THE SAUCE

Italian

An Italian pizza sauce recipe calls for pureed or pulped tomatoes (San Marzano tomatoes are preferred), olive oil, garlic and oregano, plus salt and pepper. Traditionally, the ingredients are combined, and the sauce is applied to the crust raw, not cooked.

American

The base of American pizza sauce is a slow-cooked combination of tomatoes, herbs and olive oil. Ingredients like garlic, onions and parmesan may or may not be added. American pizza sauce often has tomato paste and sugar, also.

 

vero gusto sauce


Try Barilla’s Vero Gusto Sauce:

Recreate bona fide flavors of an authentic Italian pizza without the added sugar.



 

THE TOPPINGS

Italian

A true-to-Italy pizza rarely has more than one topping placed atop the fresh discs of mozzarella cheese and often, no topping at all.

American

Meat lovers, veggie special, Hawaiian-style, BBQ chicken, spicy buffalo—Americans love an array of toppings.

pizza toppings


pizza toppings

THE TOPPINGS

Italian

A true-to-Italy pizza rarely has more than one topping placed atop the fresh discs of mozzarella cheese and often, no topping at all.

American

Meat lovers, veggie special, Hawaiian-style, BBQ chicken, spicy buffalo—Americans love an array of toppings.

 

More On the Topic of Toppings

The appeal of a pizza pie with no toppings relies on striking the perfect balance between a robust sauce and a high-quality crust, something real Italian pizza makers easily achieve. When adding a topping, care must be taken to keep that balance, while boosting the overall flavors of the pizza. That’s one of the reasons you’ll often find an Italian-style pizza topped with some unique and exotic ingredients.

In addition to fresh, often hand-picked herbs like basil, rosemary and marjoram, an authentic Italian pizza may have:

  • Truffle mushrooms
  • Burrata cheese
  • Black garlic
  • Eggplant
  • Salty capers
  • Arugula
  • White anchovy
  • Boiled egg slices
  • Prosciutto

Topping Trivia: When in Italy, if you order a pepperoni pizza, don’t be surprised when you’re served a bubbling hot pie topped with green and yellow pepper. Peperoni in Italian means bell pepper.

Craving a slice of delicious? Try this Italian pizza recipe from Chef Lorenzo Boni.

 
 



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