What is a traditional Italian pizza?Italian pizza is renowned worldwide for its delicious flavours, thin crust, and high-quality ingredients. It is a staple of Italian cuisine and has become popular internationally, with countless variations and adaptations found in different parts of the world.
Pizza in Italy is a true institution and a symbol of the country across the world. Italians eat pizza on Saturday or Sunday evenings, after doing sport or watching a game with friends, to celebrate kids' birthdays - in short, pizza is an integral part of life in Italy from the cradle to the grave!
If you decide to spend a weekend in Italy or if you are thinking of moving there, you need to know the traditional pizza toppings of all the most popular Italian pizzas. Take note of these popular Italian pizza namesand enjoy only the best classic Italian pizza. This is our guide to traditional Italian pizza, with our selection of the top 10 Italian pizzas (and 1 more for luck).
- Neapolitan Pizza
- Margherita
- Marinara
- Prosciutto e funghi
- Quattro Stagioni
- Capricciosa
- Quattro Formaggi
- Ortolana/Vegetariana
- Diavola
- Boscaiola
- Frutti di Mare
Neapolitan Pizza
Margherita pizza Wikimedia commons
Originating from Naples, Neapolitan pizza is perhaps the most iconic style of Italian pizza. It has a thin, soft crust that's slightly charred on the edges and a simple topping of San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella cheese (often buffalo mozzarella), fresh basil, salt, and olive oil. It's cooked quickly in a wood-fired oven at very high temperatures, resulting in a blistered crust and a soft, chewy center.
Margherita
Unsplash
Margherita pizza is a variety of Neapolitan pizza.This iconic pizza is said to have been created in honor of Queen Margherita of Italy in 1889 by Naples pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito. It features the colours of the Italian flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil. This simple yet flavourful combination has become a symbol of Italian culinary tradition. Whether in its simple version with mozzarella fiordilatte or mozzarella de bufala (in which case it would technically be called a Bufalina pizza), the Margherita pizza is undoubtedly the favourite pizza of Italian people.
Marinara
Pizza marinara Wikimedia commons
For this traditional Italian pizza, the secret lies in its simplicity. Ordering this pizza is an excellent way to test the dough and the quality of the ingredients of the pizzeria you’re in: tomato, garlic, oregano and oil (sometimes basil). Have you ever wondered why when you order a pizza Marinara, there is nothing in the ingredients reminiscent of the sea despite its "marine" name? The origin of the pizza marinara however comes from the fact that the ingredients – which are all easily preserved – were used by sailors during long voyages.
Prosciutto e funghi
Ham and mushroom pizza Wikimedia commons
Simplicity is also the name of the game with this pizza – it’s a ham and mushroom pizza, but turbo charged because it’s Italian-style. It can be ordered in two different versions: with cooked ham or with cured ham that is placed on after cooking.
Quattro Stagioni
"Four seasons" pizza Wikimedia commons
Another of the Italians' favourite pizzas is undoubtedly the Quattro Stagioni, which means "Four Seasons". A four seasons pizza is a mixture of strong flavours together with mozzarella and tomato. On this pizza you can find cooked ham, mushrooms, artichokes and black olives. In some cases, you can even find small additions like anchovies or other local ingredients. The position of the ingredients on this type of pizza is the most important factor: each one must be placed in its own quarter.
Capricciosa
Capricciosa pizza Wikimedia commons
Very similar to the Quattro Stagioni is the classic Capricciosa pizza. The ingredients are the pretty much same, except the Capricciosa doesn’t usually have olives and all the ingredients are mixed together on the base of tomato sauce and mozzarella, rather than separated, forming a delicious union of flavours.
Quattro Formaggi
Four-cheese pizza Flickr
You have to be a true cheese lover to appreciate this creamy, delicious and attractive white pizza. The name of this traditional Italian pizza literally translates as "Four Cheeses" and the ingredients and type of cheese used can vary from one pizzeria to another: provolone, parmigiano reggiano, mozzarella, stracchino, fontina or gorgonzola. Whichever cheeses are used, you’re sure to be left licking your fingers clean with this four cheese pizza.
Ortolana/Vegetariana
Vegetable pizza Saleepepe
Ortolana or Vegetariana pizza is a delightful Italian pizza variety that focuses on showcasing the flavours and textures of fresh vegetables.In addition to mozzarella and tomato, the ingredients of this pizza are peppers, aubergines and courgette/zucchini cut into strips or thin slices, or any other mixture of roasted fresh vegetables.Its colourful presentation and delicious taste make it a popular choice among vegetarians, vegans, and pizza enthusiasts alike.
Diavola
Diavola pizza Unsplash
The Diavola is a great pizza for anyone who loves strong flavours as the main ingredient here is spicy salami. It is one of the best-known pizzas outside of Italy, especially in the United States and the UK, although you might know it better by another name – the Pepperoni Pizza!
Boscaiola
Boscaiola pizza Alfa Forni
While this pizza is typical from Naples, each region of Italy tries to give the best of itself and use its own typical products. The Boscaiola pizza is another really tasty traditional Italian pizza and the topping consists of mushrooms, slices of sausage and mozzarella.
Frutti di Mare
Seafood pizza Ristorante Corrado
This pizza combines the deliciousness of Italian pizza with the fantastic seafood that can be found in the country: it has the obligatory tomato and mozzarella, but also seafood like shrimps, mussels and squid, plus a touch of garlic and parsley for extra seasoning.
So, now that you know all the best Italian pizzas and what the Italians like to order in their pizzerias, all you have to do now is try them all on your next trip! Enjoy someauthentic Italian pizzaandbuon appetito!
