We’re diving into pizza’s Italian roots to uncover all of the unique characteristics and time-honored traditions that make up authentic Italian pizza. From fresh ingredients to regional variations, let’s explore the recipes passed down through generations that uphold the authentic artistry of Italian pizza! Plus, find out how your operation can meet the growing demand for authentic pizza styles on your own menu.
These elements combine to create the distinctive taste and texture of authentic Italian pizza, emphasizing simplicity, quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods.
Pizza in Italy comes in many different shapes and sizes. These are just some of the Italian pizza styles that each have their own unique crust!
One of the most famous types of Italian pizza, born in Naples, known for its distinctive crust with a puffy, airy center and slightly charred edge due to the high-temperature baking. The dough, prepared with high-quality 0 or 00 style flour, water, salt and yeast, is kneaded by hand and allowed to rise for several hours to develop its flavor and texture.
A local specialty of Rome for centuries, Pinsa is made with a unique blend of regional flours, genuine Italian olive oil, and hydrated 30-40% more than traditional pizza dough for a supple, cloud-like pie.
Roman-style “pizza by the cut” is baked in sheet pans and sold by the slice (in rectangles or squares), making it a popular Italian street food option.
A Roman-style “rounded pizza” known for its cracker-like crust much thinner and crispier than the soft and chewy Neapolitan crust.
“Pizza on the paddle” originated in Roman bakeries as a way to maximize leftover bread dough. Typically oval or rectangular in shape, this shareable pizza’s dough undergoes a long fermentation process and has a high hydration level that makes it very light and airy with large air pockets.
A classic Neapolitan street food, pizza fritta is deep-fried in hot oil instead of baked, and comes in many different shapes and forms. Pizza fritta dough is often stuffed before fried, but sometimes topped after fried.
Sicilian-style pizza has a thick crust with a fluffy, sponge-like consistency. The dough is usually given a longer rise time to create an airy texture similar to that of focaccia, and is baked in a rectangular sheet pan. Common toppings include tomato sauce, anchovies, onions, olives, herbs, and strong cheeses like pecorino or caciocavallo. The pizza is often covered in breadcrumbs to absorb some of the oil.
Rich’s is bringing authentically Italian cuisine to our side of the pond with our new Authentically Italian family of pizza products. Rich’s Authentically Italian crust and dough solutions make it simple to create authentic Roman-style pies – no matter your operation!
“At Rich’s, we’re always looking at how we can elevate our pizza offerings, bringing products to market that we know consumers are looking for, while making sure these products are easy for operators to execute at a store level,” said Donna Reeves-Collins, senior vice president, Pizza & Flatbread Category, Rich Products. “Last year, our team traveled to Italy to gather inspiration and expertise that would enhance our portfolio with more authentically Italian products. In Europe, we tasted some of the best pizza we’d ever had and saw the opportunity to bring some of these products and innovation to the U.S. & Canada markets. We’re excited today to introduce several new Authentically Italian products that will help pizza operators expand their menus and drive excitement for consumers.”
Learn more about our Authentically Italian Pizza portfolio – including handling, recipe inspiration and more in our on-demand Culinary Live course! Designed for professionals like you, Rich’s Culinary Live is a free, interactive web experience led by Rich’s own culinarians presenting the latest industry trends, menu inspiration and innovative solutions for your staff and kitchen. Plus, gain exclusive access to trend resources, recipe guides and more!
This pizza uses mushroom based sauce instead of traditional red sauce for a flavorful twist! Rich’s Dough Ball Made with 00 Style Flour provides the perfect canvas for unique pizza creations, like this one!
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