When most Americans think of pizza, they think of a large, round pie with a thick crust, often topped with pepperoni and cheese. But what does pizza look like in Italy? The answer may surprise you. 

In Italy, pizza is typically square or rectangular, and the crust is thin and crispy. The toppings vary from region to region, but common ingredients include tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, sausage, and anchovies.

To help you discover more about real  Italian pizza, Pizza Bien has come to curate an article about all your Italian pizza dreams! Without any further ado, let's begin. 

What Does a Real Italian Pizza Look Like?

The first thing you should know about Italian pizza is that it is a national institution. Whether it is thin and crispy or stuffed and topped, the slice will taste like a slice of Italy. In Italy, people eat pizza after a game, on the weekends, and birthdays. It's an essential part of Italian culture, and the real way to appreciate the authentic version is to visit an Italian pizzeria.

Shape

You should also know that Italian pizzas are traditionally served as a large pie, and each commune is known for its style of pizza. Since you're ordering a huge pie, you can expect to share it with friends.

In Italy, you'll get a huge piece of pizza, which you'll trade around the table to enjoy. You should also remember that they will make a real Italian pizza with fresh ingredients, and you'll never find an artificial ingredient in it.

Toppings

You should ask for a slice with no toppings when you order a pizza. This is a classic pizza, and it will be the most authentic type of pizza. Most pizza shops have traditional rectangular or square slices, but you can also find some restaurants that have come up with their recipes.

If you're not sure what a slice should look like, you can always eat it with a fork or knife. Just be sure to be careful, though, because the pizza will be extremely hot.

Dough

Another thing you should know about Italian pizza is the dough. This is the essential part of the pizza preparation, and it's what defines a real Italian pizza. If you've been to an Italian pizza place, you've probably seen an authentic Napoli pizza in the past.

In addition, the dough itself represents the traditions of Italy. You can tell how authentic it is to feel its culture and history.

Your real Neapolitan bite should look a bit charred on the side, along with a gallop or two of fresh mozzarella spread on top of a marinara sauce if you want to order authentic Neapolitan pizza by sitting at home, order Pizza Bien's Margherita pizza.

Why is Italian Pizza Soupy?

There are several reasons why Italian pizza is soupy. It can be the liquid from the sauce and the cheese that are the culprit. In most cases, the pizza is not even soggy at all, so why is it so soupy? The answer is simple: it's a simple combination of the water from buffalo de mozzarella and the tomato sauce collected in the middle. 

You may be able to get away with a slightly soupy center if you like the softness of a typical Neapolitan pizza. However, it is crucial to keep an open mind when reviewing an Italian pizza for the first time.

What Are the Different Classic Italian Pizza Styles?

There are many different types of pizza, but there are also several classic Italian styles. Here is a rundown on seven of the most popular. If you have never tried any of these types, you're in for a treat! Trying them is a great way to experience the best of Italian cooking, and you can find out what your favorite is without having to spend a fortune!

Different Classic European Pizza Styles

The crust on Italian pizza differs from region to region. A typical Sicilian pizza crust is relatively thin and fluffy. A pizza from Naples, Italy typically has a thick, cracker-like crust. A street-style pizza, the pizza al taglio, is round and thin and is perfect for sharing. 

The weight of the toppings usually determines the price of each slice. This Italian pizza is often thin and crispy and is incredibly delicious! You can read more about it by clicking here.

In the Italian peninsula, Italian pizza doughs vary. In the Sicilian region, the dough is fluffy and soft. In Naples, Italy  the crust is thin and crusty and is topped with fresh mozzarella or a plain tomato sauce. 

Some people order pizza without the sauce and mozzarella and prefer it to be more traditional. Italians don't like to use too many ingredients, and they're not particularly picky about how they taste, either.

Andrea Doria pizza is an old-fashioned Italian pizza similar to focaccia with tomato sauce. It is made of Liguria and uses local ingredients such as seafood, tomatoes, and herbs. 

The original version of this pizza does not include tomato sauce and uses olive oil. Instead, it uses tomato puree and garlic. This gives it a herb flavor, unique among classic Italian cuisines.

A real  Italian pizza contains not more than three-four ingredients. It can be made with a base of tomato sauce or just tomato. It can also include niche toppings. For example, it may have large slices of prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella. 

It is also possible to add extra ingredients, such as truffles, but the Italians don't recommend adding these to their pizza. 

How To Make An Authentic Neapolitan Pizza

If you’re wondering how to make an authentic Neapolitan pizza at home, this guide has got you covered; here’s a simple recipe that anyone can follow. The dough is thin and made from Italian flour with high protein content. It is not made with yeast or sugar and should be left to rest for an hour before being baked. 

It is also essential to work slowly and carefully. Using your hands, turn the dough over as you work it around. This method ensures that the dough is the same thickness all around the Naples pizza. If you want additional tips on baking pizza, click here.

The dough is made from just four ingredients: 00 flour, water, and yeast. These ingredients are the backbone of the pizza in Italy and should be purchased from a reputable bakery. 

While the ingredients are simple, measuring them to make consistent pizza dough carefully is important. Often, the difference between one dough batch and another is the accuracy of the measurements. The dough will ferment too fast and become too salty when adding too much or too little yeast.

After kneading the dough:

1. Separate the dough into two equal pieces.
2. Roll out each piece of dough, punch it down a few times and then form them into balls.
3. Place them into oiled-gallon freezer bags or bowls and cover with plastic wrap.
4. Refrigerate them for 12 to 24 hours before shaping them.

A flat pan or pizza tray can be helpful for this process.

Once you put them into the oven, blast them to the highest temperature for the least amount of time. In this way, you'll be able to replicate the temperature of a wood-fired oven. Top your pizza with San Marzano tomato sauce and some fresh mozzarella - and you'll be all good to go!

Differences Between American and Neapolitan Pizza

American and Italian pizzas are similar in taste and preparation, although many similarities exist. In America, most pizzas are made with a tomato sauce that is slow-cooked and contains a variety of spices. 

Neapolitan Pizza

In Italy, the tomato sauce is prepared fresh, with a light and airy texture, while toppings are prepared using fresh tomatoes and a blend of herbs and spices.

The crust is the most distinctive feature of authentic Neapolitan pizza. A thin yet pillowy crust rises at room temperature for a few minutes and is charred in places. The dough has a rich, buttery flavor from the 00 flour base. 

The toppings are minimal, and the Naples pizza must be served with a thin sauce. The cheese, tomatoes, and other ingredients are usually thin slices of fresh vegetables.

While both styles of pizza are delicious, they are very different. The authentic Neapolitan pizza style is topped with oregano, anchovies, and a fresh basil leaf. 

American Pizza

The original New York style is not as authentic as the Neapolitan version, as the crust is thinner and has a more bland, disagreeable taste. Moreover, the crust of a Neapolitan pizza has more cheese than its American counterpart.

The American pizza has a thicker crust and more toppings than the Italian one. The American style is generally denser and has more sauces and cheese. An authentic Napoli pizza will have a thin, chewy crust. 

In addition, the American version will use a thicker crust. Compared to the Italian style, the newer style is denser. Hence, a thin crust is preferred in an authentic Napoli pizza.

Final Word

In conclusion, real Naples  pizza is worth a try! The combination of flavorful toppings and the crispy crust will have you coming back for more. So what are you waiting for? Order the best pizza Italia just with one click. Till the next time, happy feasting and stay with Pizza Bien!

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