What Are The Different Types Of Pizza?

What kind of pizza should I order at my next restaurant meal? There are so many options out there, and they all seem to taste great. But how do you choose between them and which one is the best?

Pizza is a favorite food around the world. In fact, it has become a staple of western cuisine. The popularity of pizza has led to a wide variety of toppings, crusts, and sizes.

Pizza is a dish that everyone loves. So if you want to impress someone or get a good deal, then ordering pizza is always a smart choice.

Nowadays, there are more than a hundred types of pizza available in restaurants. This means that you have a range of options when deciding what kind of pizza to order.

In the article below, we have compiled a list of the different pizzas available, as well as their history and toppings.

Different Types Of Pizza

Neapolitan Pizza

Neapolitan is now considered the original pizza, as it was first invented in Naples during the 18th century.

During this time, pizza was considered a cheap and easy snack to prepare, which made it a popular choice among the poorer classes. Neapolitan pizza could even be purchased from street vendors and was viewed as a rustic dish.

While the recipe has evolved over time, the basic structure of the pizza remains the same. In most cases, Neapolitan pizza will feature a flat crust and a variety of vibrant toppings, such as mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil.

Notable variations of the pizza include the classic Margherita, which will commonly remove the basil in favor of the cheese and tomato sauce.

Chicago Pizza

Otherwise known as a deep-dish pizza, this recipe first rose to prominence in the windy city, where it remains a staple of American cuisine.

Chicago pizza was first invented by Italian immigrants during the early 1900s, who sought to create their own version of the classic dish. The final result was a pizza with a thick crust and raised sides, which gave it the same structure as a pie.

While it is now possible to purchase deep-dish pizza with any toppings you want, the traditional ingredients will often include sausage meat, mushrooms, green peppers, and thick tomato sauce.

For the best results, we recommend finishing off this pizza with a dusting of Parmesan cheese, which adds some extra bite to the dish.

New York Pizza

This classic recipe can be identified by its large size and drooping slices, which have made this pizza one of the most popular dishes in the world.

New York pizza first started out as a variation of the traditional Neapolitan, but eventually, it took on its own individual identity.

Some people even say that the pizza has its own unique taste, which could be the result of minerals in the city’s water supply.

Like a classic Margherita, this pizza will commonly be topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. However, this pizza’s size also allows it to be garnished with a variety of toppings, from anchovies and mushrooms.

Despite this, New Yorkers will often prefer to eat the pizza plain and will instead season it with a range of condiments such as garlic powder, oregano, and chili flakes.

Sicilian Pizza

Sicilian pizza (otherwise known as sfincione) is a unique take on the classic dish, as it offers a square-cut dough smothered with a robust tomato sauce.

The pizza was first introduced to America during the 19th century, where it was commonly eaten by Sicilian immigrants.

It wasn’t until the second world war that it began to gain traction with the local population and eventually became a popular variation on the traditional meal.

In contrast to the pizzas we mentioned earlier, Sicilian pizza is often topped with tomatoes, onions, and anchovies – which give it a refreshing and salty taste.

Sicilian pizza is also notable for being one of few pizzas to not feature cheese, as it makes the crust wet and prone to damage.

Greek Pizza

This Mediterranean pizza was first introduced to America by Greek immigrants, where it remains a popular dish among the New England states.

In contrast to the other pizzas on our list, this variation features a pillow-like dough, which is commonly cooked in oil to deep-fry the base.

The final result is a thick and chewy crust that can be topped with a range of delicious garnishes.

Greek pizza is known to be much heavier than its Italian counterpart and will often feature more sauce than cheese. For the true Greek experience, the pizza can be served with feta cheese, red onion, and black olives.

Despite its unique preparation, Greek pizza still remains thinner than a deep-dish or Sicilian crust.

California Pizza

This gourmet pizza was first invented during the 1970s, when it was presented as a gourmet take on the classic dish.

During this time, Chef Ed LaDou began experimenting with the Italian staple and sought to create his own version of the traditional meal. This resulted in a pizza topped with mustard, ricotta, pate, and bell peppers.

The reaction to the pizza was overwhelmingly positive, and LeDou eventually went on to produce a further 250 recipes.

In many ways, the main theme of this pizza is invention, which means it can be topped with anything you want.

However, some notable toppings include goat cheese, grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, and fresh garlic.

Detroit Pizza

Detroit pizza is a perfect example of the city’s relationship with the auto industry, as it was first made using a square automotive pan.

During the 1940s, this pizza became a popular snack among the local community, with the recipe being known for its airy crust and caramelized cheese.

Since then, the dish has become a staple of Detroit’s local culture and is commonly served with a range of different toppings.

While it is possible to garnish this pizza with mushrooms and olives, the traditional toppings include Wisconsin brick cheese and pepperoni.

To ensure an even bake, this pizza must be made in a baking pan, as this allows the air to escape the dough as it cooks.

St. Louis Pizza

St. Louis pizza is characterized by its thin crust, which is said to have a cracker-like texture once baked.

Because of its unique consistency, this pizza is commonly cut into 4-inch rectangles, which can be served at parties and barbecues.

The pizza is also known to feature a combination of different cheeses, which include cheddar, Swiss, and provolone.

The pizza was first introduced to St. Louis in the 19th century when Italian immigrants surged to the United States. This led to the formation of a large Italian community, which went on to share its culture with the local people.

St. Louis pizza is usually topped with a sweet tomato sauce and can be garnished with a variety of toppings from pepperoni to green onion.

Hawaiian Pizza

Despite its tropical name, this classic pizza did not originate in Hawaii and is instead considered a Canadian invention.

In 1962, a Greek immigrant named Sam Panopoulos created the pizza to draw attention to his restaurant, which at the time was only serving fast food such as cheeseburgers and pancakes.

Hoping to invent something new, Panopoulos decided to combine ham and canned pineapple on a traditional crust, which resulted in one of the most popular toppings in the world.

Since then, Hawaiian pizza has become a staple of western cuisine and is often at the center of many disputes concerning its controversial ingredients.

Unlike the other pizzas we have discussed, this recipe does not require a specific base and instead refers to the combination of ham and pineapple.

Buffalo Pizza

Buffalo pizza is often described as the middle ground between New York and Chicago options, as it features a thin crust smothered with hearty toppings such as tomato sauce and cheese.

The pizza was first invented in 1927 by an Italian immigrant named Fioravanti ‘Grandpa’ Santora, who sold slices from his ice cream shop.

The distinctive structure of the pizza soon garnered mass attention, and it became a part of the city’s local culture.

Nowadays, the pizza can be found in restaurants across the country and is considered a fine example of American cuisine.

In contrast to the other pizzas on our list, Buffalo pizza does not feature sides on its crust, which means the cheese and sauce go all the way to the edge. The sauce is also a lot sweeter and is often topped with a stringy cheese.

Buffalo pizza is commonly served with pepperoni and can be charred on the sides for some extra flavor.

Roman Pizza

The next pizza on our list first originated in Rome, where it still remains a popular dish in countless restaurants.

Unlike Neapolitan pizza, this variation can be round or rectangular and will commonly feature an inflated crust topped with sauce and cheese.

Despite the pizza’s popularity, it has yet to be recognized by UNESCO, which means there is no agreed-upon definition of what the pizza should contain.

Despite this, there are some traditional toppings associated with the dish, which include ingredients such as artichoke hearts, anchovies, crushed tomatoes, and mushrooms.

Notable variations of this pizza include pizza al taglio, which is a common fast food found in central Italy.

Cuban Pizza

Despite its name, Cuban pizza actually remains a popular dish in Miami, where it was first introduced by a chef named Ramon Rodriguez.

While the pizza shares many similarities with Italian pizza, the dough is notably more plump and is commonly topped with a combination of mozzarella cheese and a specially-made sauce.

Additional toppings are then baked into the crust, instead of being added after the pie has cooked.

Because of its South American influence, the pizza can be garnished with a range of different foods, such as chorizo, mushroom, plantain, and lobster.

Cuban pizza can be purchased from various Miami restaurants and is now considered a staple cuisine for the area.

New Haven Pizza

New Haven pizza (otherwise known as apizza) first originated in Connecticut, where it is characterized by its soft crust and mode of production.

Despite its ordinary appearance, New Haven pizza is commonly baked in a coal-fired oven and will feature a chewy texture with limited amounts of cheese.

In most cases, the pizza is topped with a combination of tomato sauce and mozzarella before it is finished off with a seasoning of Italian herbs.

The pizza can be garnished with a variety of toppings, which include notable ingredients such as olive oil, oregano, and littleneck clams.

Quad City Pizza

Originating from the Quad Cities region of Iowa, this pizza was first introduced to the local community in 1952 and has remained a popular snack ever since.

The first person to bring this pizza to the Quad Cities was a Sicilian immigrant named Tony Maniscalco, who wanted to share his culture with the local people.

The pizza is different from other varieties of pizza because it contains malt in the crust, which results in a thin and nutty base.

Quad City pizza is commonly served round and will feature classic toppings such as cheese, tomato sauce, and sausage.

When the pizza has been cooked, it will commonly be cut into horizontal strips and then served with sauces and sides.

Dessert Pizza

This alternative pizza was first invented in Italy during the 1960s and consists of a sweet pizza base topped with chocolate sauce and fresh fruit.

While the concept of a dessert pizza can be attributed to Italian cuisine, the dish itself can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where it was common to eat flatbread with fruit and other sweet dishes.

In recent years, dessert pizza has become a popular dish across the globe and can now be found in restaurants in countries such as America, Italy, and Britain.

Because of its recent popularity, there is no concrete way to define a dessert pizza, which means you can top it with anything you want. Traditional toppings include chocolate, fruit, marshmallows, and nuts.

Conclusion

The best way to decide on which type of pizza to order is by looking at your preferences and the ingredients that you like.

If you’re not sure, ask for recommendations from friends or family members who know more about the classic dish.

We hope that you found this article helpful and that you will refer to it the next time you are choosing a delicious pizza.